Ballast: Gravel
Clearance: N/A
Culverts: 54
Drainage: Poor
Overhead Bridges: 10
Surface: Fair
Ties: Fair
Track Bridges: 14 (1 major swing, 6 highway, 7 river)
Weight of Rail: Most is 80# with some 107#
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| Newport Secondary Branch | |||||||||
| Physical Conditions: Ballast: Gravel Clearance: N/A Culverts: 54 Drainage: Poor Overhead Bridges: 10 Surface: Fair Ties: Fair Track Bridges: 14 (1 major swing, 6 highway, 7 river) Weight of Rail: Most is 80# with some 107# |
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| Signalization: None, except at the movable bridge | |||||||||
| Grade Crossings: There are 28 public at-grade highway crossings over this line. | |||||||||
| Unusual physical features/track and structure problems: All of the track on the Newport Secondary line is at least FRA Class I and is maintained at least at that level by the Dinner Train as a condition of operation on the line. Track upgrading by the Newport Star Clipper Dinner Train has iimproved track conditions to FRA Class II in many areas. It is hoped that continued maintenance of the track will result in FRA Class II or better conditions on the entire line. The state has spent over $800,000 on this line since it aquired it in 1979. The Newport Star Clipper Dinner Train has indicated a need for the construction of a side track in the vicinity of the Newport Naval Base to improve operations and avoid conflicts with the Newport Railroad Foundation tourist/excursion operation. | |||||||||
| Industry served: This rail line once served large manufacturing and distribution operations, which have closed down since 1985. The Rhode Island Department of Economic Development is attempting to market the available industrial-zoned parcels and attract industrial activity to this area. It is unknown whether these efforts will succeed in building up industrial activity sufficient to re-establish rail freight service. | |||||||||
| Unusual traffic characteristics: The Providence & Worcester Railroad has trackage rights to service this line. The Sakonnet River bridge must be repaired/rehabilitated in order to resume rail service to Aquidneck Island. This was due to deterioration and damage to the Sakonnet River swing bridge. In February 1988, the swing bridge was damaged by a barge that hit one of its piers, jarring the bridge mechanism and rendering it inoperable. | |||||||||