Wareham's railroads are being upgraded to allow trains that go as fast as 60 mph to travel on them.

Massachusetts Coastal Railroad has been contracted to do work on the railroads in over the coming weeks.

"The track is currently rated...as class two track which limits passenger train speeds to 30 mph," explained John Pearson, one of the Vice Presidents of Massachusetts Coastal Railroad. "The work that's being done will allow the track to become a class three track," which will allow passenger trains to travel at speeds of up to 60 mph.

According to Pearson, this does not necessarily mean residents will see trains flying down the track behind Merchants Way.

"The railroad can always implement 'slow orders' but none of that has been determined," according to Pearson, who added that the orders may be temporary or permanent.

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority is working with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to bring rail service from Boston to Hyannis.

The train service, known as the CapeFLYER, will run from South Station in Boston to the Hyannis Transportation Center. It will run through Wareham, but the closest stop will be in Buzzards Bay.

According to Pearson, the work includes installing new ties, and putting stone ballast along the length of the track, which will then be tamped down.

Trains transporting garbage will not be disrupted during the work.

Pearson says the work is expected to last until approximately May 10, and service will run from May 24 through September 2.

A number of railroad crossings in town will also be upgraded, including the crossing on Main Avenue in East Wareham which was shut down for work earlier this month.

Bringing rail service to Wareham has come up a number of times over the years, although the discussion generally centers around bringing commuter rail service to town, rather than a train that allows Cape Cod day-trippers to bypass traffic.

In 2005, the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) completed a site analysis for an intermodal transportation center in Wareham.

The organization studied a number of sites including the Tremont Nail complex, downtown Wareham, Minot Avenue, Depot Street, and the rear of Cranberry Plaza and Walmart in East Wareham. The study committee determined the area of the Mill Pond Diner and Tremont Nail complex would be ideal.

In addition to finding a location for a train stop, there are also doubts about whether or not there are enough potential train riders in Wareham to warrant a commuter rail stop.