This cache is part of the Ghost Train series of caches along the route of the old Milford to Manchester Railroad. We've long been intrigued by the Milford and Manchester Railroad that was only in use for a few short years. A list of this series can be found at the bookmark: Ghost Train Series
The Cache
The train has not run here for 90 years but if you are patient and are here at night you'll catch a glimpse here or there of some lights that could be "lanterns" from the ghost train. They might even remind you of faeries from a Midsummer Night's Dream. :)
One of my favorite caches was A Midsummer Night's Dream, part of muchado's Shakespeare Series. This cache is based on that wonderful cache.
The ghost train "lanterns" will show you the location of clues to the coordinates of the location of the final. You may be able to spot some of these "lanterns" in the daylight, but it would be very challenging to find most of them. These "lanterns" are best hunted at dusk or night with a flashlight.
As you walk down the trail, you'll be looking for eight clues marked by the "lanterns". You'll find them within 30' of the trail. These "lanterns" are hanging out between two and eight feet off the ground, although they may be two to eight feet above the ground on the top of an embankment if the railroad trail passes through a small hill. Located within a few feet of each "light" is a copper tag that has one part of the final coordinates. The copper tags will be in the format WXX.XXX or NXX.XXX with digits from the final coordinates revealed on each tag. Collect all of them to come up with the final coordinates. There is also a "light" at the final, but you will not see it from the trail. All these "lanterns" are hardy and are winter friendly.
A good directional flashlight will be helpful in picking up the "lanterns" although a headlamp may work if it is sufficiently strong.
At the beginning of the trail, there is a horse farm on the right. There are no "lanterns" on that side of the trail within sight of the corrals or the barn, so you don't have to sweep your flashlights up there.
- The cache container just barely fits in its hiding place. Please be considerate and take the time to replace it exactly as you found it.
- The rail trail becomes private property at N42 52.419 W71 35.970.
- There are no "lanterns" to the southeast of N 42 52.450, W 71 35.774 on the rail trail.
- Not all "lanterns" are alike.
A bit more information on the railroad (owned by the Boston and
Maine Railroad) can be found here:
Manchester and Milford Railroad links
FTF! wemedge