Abandoned railroad being restored - CNZR Armory Branch - 12/2025

On December 26, 2025 I revisited the Armory Branch in Connecticut. Over the past couple decades the shortline Central New England Railroad, CNZR for short, has been trying to piece the line back together to serve a handful of customers between the end of active track and the Massachusetts state line. North of the state line the track has been removed so this would have to be operated as a branch line without restoration into Massachusetts. Besides the trackwork itself some other developments are in the works that could change the course of this restoration. We’ll talk about that later. For this update we start in Scantic where the base of the Armory Branch’s operations are located. Here many pieces of historical equipment are stored as well as the active power that is used on this line. The line’s two customers are also located or transload here. Note the stacked bricks which are from a transload customer. Note the Alco RS1, one of three on the property, and the neat 25 tonners. South of here the line goes down to the Connecticut Southern interchange. The stretch of track south of here has been continuously active and my last update showed ties laid out and being installed. During my visit to film the CNZR train in action a couple weeks back many of the ties that were laid out were still awaiting installation. Working our way north into Broad Brook we make a quick stop at a large washout. This was partially fixed a couple years back but the rest of the fill and roadbed has yet to be put back down. Given the lack of progress here I just snapped a quick picture and kept heading north. The next development I came across was the trackmobile that has been getting used to pull ballast hoppers. I believe it was last used to drop ballast at a crossing project north of here. Despite being used to pull ballast cars the former Delaware & Hudson hoppers that it pulled were nowhere to be found. I believe there were three total on the property and at least two we actually moved to the Battenkill Railroad in New York. Despite the removal of the D&H cars CNZR still rosters a few hoppers. The next and last location shown here is the Enfield Transit Mix crossing in Enfield, CT. This crossing was slowly being built when I was here last and was plated over during my visit. Now the crossing pads are in and the asphalt has been partially put back down. Some maintenance of way equipment was parked nearby. Note the concrete ties used for the stretch of track. I believe they were defective ties from an Amtrak or MBTA project that were not good enough for high speed passenger trains but are good enough for the planned slow speed freights. CNZR likely got these for pretty cheap as many have been used or are piled up along the line. Working my way further north I didn’t find any other major developments but there will be some big changes here very soon. The Connecticut Department of Transportation owns the rail line and it is rumored that CNZR lost the contract to operate it. A new operator will take over and telling by the continued restoration work it is believed the new operator will finish the restoration and finally get to run trains over it. This is likely why the D&H hoppers left the property and it is a sign of things to come if/when CNZR has to remove their equipment from the line. The historic equipment noted earlier includes a New Haven RS1 and caboose which historically ran in this area. Other equipment includes two more RS1’s, another caboose, freight cars, a few switchers, and various MOW equipment among other things. Time will tell how this will all play out but I’m hopeful to see the track restoration finished and the historic equipment moved or rehomed. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for future developments. Facebook:   / mslrailmedia   Comments? Questions? Just leave a note in the comment section and I'll get back to you. ©2025 South Coast Rail Videos