Expanding Ayer


Susan Carison, Inspector, and Head of Survey Tony Gouveia survey the new intermodal facility.

With the Hoosac Tunnel's expansion and the changing scenery of the railroad industry, Guilford Rail is developing its system's central location in Ayer, MA into a multi-faceted shipping facility.

Working with Canadian National Railway, Guilford Rail will provide its international and domestic customers with seamless intermodal service between Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the Greater Boston and New England market. The "New England Clipper" service will link the ocean port of Halifax with major industrial areas. The service, with electronic data interchange (EDI) customs clearances, is designed to cut up to 24 hours off shipping lines' existing itineraries through U.S. eastern seaboard ports. Trucking companies and intermodal marketing companies (IMCs) also stand to benefit from the seamless service.

Some of the main benefactors in this new endeavor will be New England customers who could previously only ship over-the-road. Dedicated unit trains will depart Halifax and Ayer, providing early second-morning availability at destination. As market demand dictates, the frequency of the new intermodal service will be expanded to as many as five trains a week.
According to Ayer intermodal facility site engineer Jeff Rose, "The construction of our new intermodal facility required the relocation of 3 tracks and the installation of one new track." Across town at Guilford Rail's auto facility, a roadway and turnaround area were added to enhance the flow of auto-carrier truck traffic and facilitate more efficient removal of autos from the distribution lot. Two of the yard's unloading rails were extended by 550 feet each. A 150 foot asphalt pad and another 500 feet of rail for off loading from both ends were also installed. The facility's lighting was also improved and 30 new parking locations for auto carrying trucks were added. Seeing additional potential in the Ayer community, aside from auto and intermodal shipping, Guilford Rail purchased a 126-acre parcel of land just east of Willow Road for future development. "We plan to use it for development related to the railroad. We have not committed to any specific plans. There are a lot of options and opportunities around," said Colin Pease, Guilford Rail's Executive Vice President.

Ayer is located 40 miles outside of Boston and provides convenient access to important New England markets.
With the Hoosac Tunnel's new clearance, covered tri-level auto carriers can be shipped in and Guilford hopes to increase the volume of vehicles handled at the facility.