High Green

Hosted by Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society

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Apr 2026

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About the show

The official podcast of the Boston & Maine Railroad, delving into the history, memory, and legacy of the Route of the Minuteman.

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25 recent

January 12, 2024Episode 253 min

High Green/B&MRRHS 2024 Update

Happy New Year! Online Committee member Andrew Riedl updates on upcoming Society events and meetings, and future episodes of High Green.

March 26, 2023Episode 241 hr 1 min

High Green Episode 24: The Lexington Branch with Bill Deen

The Boston & Maine Railroad's Lexington Branch, today the world famous Minuteman Bikeway, was once one of the busiest and best known branchlines in the region. Author and historian Bill Deen of the Friends of Bedford Depot Park discusses the history of this fascinating line, and his recent book on the subject, "Minuteman Railroad".

February 16, 2023

High Green Episode 23: The Rutland Railroad with Steve and George Mumley

Part of our mission statement here at the B&MRRHS is to preserve the history of the railroads in New England that did business with the Boston & Maine Railroad. One of the better known examples was the Rutland Railroad, operating primarily in Vermont and New York State until its closure in the early 1960s. The late Steve Mumley (November 8, 1946 — January 29, 2023) knew and loved the Rutland Railroad perhaps more than anyone, and his father, George “Bud” Mumley, worked for the Rutland beginning in 1937. Thanks to Jim Dufour who loaned us this cassette recording, we hear a discussion from 1991 between Steve and George about the latter’s time on the Rutland Railroad. Topics include milk trains; the wayfreight to Malone, NY; operations between Alburgh, VT and Ogdensburg, NY; and much more.

December 22, 2022Episode 221 hr 22 min

High Green Episode 22: B&M Employee Ladde Russell (Sept. 10, 2005)

In this episode of High Green, we continue with cassette tapes recorded and loaned by B&MRRHS member and modeler Jim Dufour. On September 10, 2005, Jim recorded Fitzwilliam, NH resident and former B&M employee Ladde Russell. Topics of conversation include the Cheshire Branch, milk trains, the last snowplow run on the Cheshire in 1971, local freights, and many colorful stories and memories from Mr. Russell’s 30-year career on the B&M from 1955 to 1987.

November 6, 2022Episode 211 hr 1 min

High Green Episode 21: Walter Dunn at the B&MRRHS, 3/9/1985

In today’s episode of High Green, we continue our oral history series with a presentation given before the B&MRRHS on March 9, 1985 by former B&M employee Walter Dunn. Dunn recounts the hiring practices of the B&M, the difficulties of the steam to diesel transition of the 1950s, and many humorous stories from his 40-year career on the Fitchburg Division. This recording was captured by, and graciously provided to us for release, by B&MRRHS member Jim Dufour.

April 27, 2022Episode 201 hr 12 min

High Green Episode 20: The Memories of Loyd MacNair, Part 2

n today’s episode of High Green, we continue the oral history memories of longtime employee Loyd MacNair, recorded October 1987. Additional topics of conversation include various incidents and wrecks, memories of firing steam locomotives and working with early diesels, railroad operations on the Connecticut River Line, and much more.

February 4, 2022Episode 191 hr 36 min

High Green Episode 19: The Memories of Loyd MacNair, Part 1

In today’s episode of High Green, we hear the oral history memories of longtime employee Loyd MacNair, recorded October 1987. MacNair describes the start of his B&M career as a fireman on the Conn River Line in the 1940s. Additional topics of conversation include firing stoker and hand-fired steam locomotives, the steam-to diesel-transition, the floods of 1955, recollections of various passenger and freight jobs, and many colorful stories of railroading on the Boston & Maine during this interesting period.

January 16, 2022Episode 181 hr 31 min

High Green Episode 18: "From Ashuelot to Ashes" with Scott Whitney

By 1982, the city of Keene, New Hampshire – once a rail major rail hub – had only one rail connection to the outside world left: the Boston & Maine's Ashuelot and Fort Hill Branches. Seeking to keep freight to the Elm City viable, the Boston & Maine leased these branches to the Green Mountain Railroad in 1982, who for just under two years provided the last gasp of revenue freight to the area. Join us as former GMRC employee Scott Whitney describes this colorful operation and his time as one of the last railroad employees to run freight to and from Keene.

January 4, 2022Episode 171 hr 15 min

High Green Episode 17: "Do You See What I See?" Milepost Archaeology w/ Ken Jackman

Have you ever noticed the granite and concrete mileposts lining rights of way on the Boston & Maine? As it turns out, these important artifacts have a fascinating story, as does their pursuit and documentation. Joining Andrew Riedl in this episode is teacher and Downeast Scenic Railroad volunteer Ken Jackman, who has made the documentation and research of railroad mileposts one of his railroad pursuits. Topics of discussion concern unique mileposts on various lines, what happens when a milepost “disappears”, and where you can look for them.

December 19, 2021Episode 161 hr 4 min

High Green Episode 16: Janet Shea, B&M Freight Agent

In this gem of an interview recorded by Brian Dame on September 6, 2001, we hear the story of Janet Shea (1928–2002). Janet worked as a freight agent for the Boston & Maine from 1945 to 1987 and talks of her career working nearly every station on the B&M’s Conway Branch, from Dover to North Conway.