Minuteman Tales: Rockingham Junction, New Hampshire

Of all the junctions on the Boston & Maine, Rockingham Junction, or "Rockingham" as it was more commonly known, is perhaps one of the best-known examples. In this episode we visit and examine the history of this once-busy meeting point of two B&M lines.

[@trans-galactic-express]

I used to watch trains at this place a lot not more than a couple years ago. It’s wonderful hearing the history seeing pictures of this location when it was still Boston & Maine and Guilford territory. Excellent video!

[@user-mr3ct1dm9p]

Another one of the small, but neat areas of the old B&M. Gone but not forgotten. Railfans in New England were so very lucky to enjoy the B&M, and to see it up close.

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Over the many years since the 1970s one of my favorite place to Railfan also the Portsmouth Branch, with lot's of changes over time. Freights and Locals coming and going over the diamond and after it was removed 👍

[@BobbySchwartz]

i drove by this every day for work! loved the history

[@MillersRailfan]

Thank you for this video Rick!!! Great stories here!!!!!! - Stephen Demboske

[@THOMAS81Z]

LOVE THIS my son christopher shannon & i were stewarts of rockingham jt , we kept the grass cut & the western leg of the wye that your standing on we cleared in 2011 to keep it open , thanks for this video

[@MattsTrainsandThings]

Rockingham Junction is my most favorite place to watch the trains go by. I've never seen so many archival photos and video of this place in its heyday and low point. I plan to include a model railroad version of Rockingham Junction in a train layout I plan on building in the future. I'm still debating on whether to create the junction as it was during its heyday or just before the depot was moved.

[@minutemanmac]

Last cars I can remember on the West leg of the eye was during the Downester project when there was a sting of ballast cars all the way up to where it used to connect with the Portsmouth Branch

[@discodave4190]

As I am not very familiar with the Boston & Maine, I learned a lot by watching the video. It's very nicely done. Thank you for putting it together and sharing it.

[@johnandrews6872]

I spent many moments at Rockingham (Mid 50's) as the motor car waited for the mainline as they might drop mail for transfer, I road with my granddad, from concord as he lived in Portsmouth at the time and my brother and I would travel by rail from Lowell Ma. to concord then to Portsmouth for a visit with my grandparents.

[@MillersRailfan]

Great pictures & music!!!

[@baker3person]

Love these please keep them coming. Would love to see some around central mass

[@johnandrews6872]

As the Rockingham junction slowly disappeared from my view I as a model maker built a diorama as I remembered it.

[@huntercoleman460]

Neat history.

[@THOMAS81Z]

the freight house was disassembled & sold for big $$$ in 2007

[@thomasshannon2741]

Wow my son Christopher Shannon has alot more pics & information then you used here need to contact him as he is helping the current station owner.

[@user-li6es1so1k]

These little vignettes are excellent. But one minor nitpick in this video: Rigby Yard is wholly located in South Portland, Maine, not Portland. (Actually, a lead track for the yard from the south starts in Scarborough.). Portland and South Portland are separate municipalities. Trains to/from Rigby Yard may have Portland in their symbols and/or train orders for brevity. But geographically and "politically" there is a difference.

[@bmrrhs]

Thanks for the clarification, glad you are enjoying the videos!