The Boston and Maine Railroad constructed this spur in 1872 to
connect Merrimac Square and its fine carriage industry to the main
line. Over time, the horse drawn carriage shops of Merrimac and
Amesbury retooled into luxury automotive supply manufacture, and
later consolidated in Seabrook, NH as a general auto body parts
supplier.
With the need of local rail service long gone, the old rail bed
has been converted into the Jay McLaren Memorial Trail,
managed by the Merrimac Conservation Commission. The two mile trail
begins behind the Church Street Cemetery and ends abruptly at the
New Hampshire border. Pedestrian, bike, cross country skiing, and
bridle path use is encouraged. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Just prior to the marsh crossing on the trail's northern end,
access to the Perkins Conservation Area is available from the
Marshview Trail from the west side of the rail trail bed. The Open
Space Committee of the Town of Merrimac provides a
pamphlet with info and trail maps for their Perkins and McLaren
Conservation Areas
We're not sure how official the name Woody Hole is, but
that's the name townie youth once called this section of
Cobbler’s Brook. Way back when, as a preteen, Mr haverood
would walk two miles on a hot summer day to fish barely legal sized
native brook trout that would cluster around the babbling oxygen
rich and cooler water where it emerges from the rail bed
ductwork.
There are several access points along the Jay McLaren
Memorial Trail, with the historic old stone railroad bridge on
Harriman Road being the closest to the hide. Parking for a few
vehicles can be found on either end of the narrow single lane
underpass. Pay heed to the quaint traffic signs by proceeding
slowly when approaching the treacherous underpass and giving a
warning blast of "SOUND HORN DAYLIGHT ONLY", hence the "Whistle
Stop" part of the cache name. The cache is a short walk from the
parking area along the rail trial. Since the rail bed is above
street level, a grade will need negotiating to and from the
trail.
This is a railroad rolling stock seed cache (SENHRR006) from the
SENHRR - Fremont Depot HQ (GC1AWQM) series by
greystones.
CAUTION: The Terrain Rating
2 is for an easier approach from the rail trail using the
gradual slope just south of the steep embankment near Cobbler's
Brook. Please stay within the McLarin Trail borders, as designated
by the dilapidated old railroad right of way fencing to avoid
trespassing on private property.
NE-06 Class Caboose typically used by the New Haven
Railroad.
SENHRR Souvenir Ticket as influenced by
an early Boston and Maine Railroad design.