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Welcome to our "Abandoned Railroads" WebSite
Here's a preview of some of the exciting projects we have put together for you: Our feature article is West Shore abandonments . We have even more about West Shore abandonments plus lots of information on other abandonments . Follow abandoned railroads on Google Earth . See Abandonments of New York Central "Hojack" Lines Contributed by Richard Palmer Find out about tracking abandoned railroad mileage , see removing the Maybrook Line , and read an opinion on Abandoned Railroads . Finally, check out our abandoned railroads reference section . | ||
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End of the track: West Shore south of Amsterdam, New York Courtesy of Gino's Railpage |
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Places to find New/Recent Abandonment Proposals on the Internet:
1) http://www.trainweather.com/aban.html Most STB abandonment filings between 1999 and present are listed by year. You can then use the docket numbers or location information to search Google for additional information if needed, or find the full text of each abandonment from other web sites. 2) http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WebServiceDate?openform Enter a railroad company, county name, city name, etc. in the search box to list abandonment documents for that location/company. I do not know the exact date range that this database covers, but it's at least 1994 to present. Note that more than just abandonment filings are listed, so you may have to sift through the various documents that come up. Links to open each document are along the left-hand side of the page. 3) UNFINISHED RAILROADS OF NEW YORK STATE Photos, maps, and information regarding unfinished railroads across New York state. 4) RAILROAD MAPS OF NEW YORK STATE A collection of railroad maps documenting portions of several abandoned routes across New York state. 5) www.abandonedrails.com ABANDONED RAILS 6) Abandoned Railroads Around the United States 7) All-time list of railroad names in New York State 8) Abandoned Railroads: Hojack Lines, Connecticut and Other |
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The Richfield Springs branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railway extended through Bridgewater, where it connected with the Unadilla Valley Railroad, a shortline that served Edmeston and New Berlin to Richfield Springs on Canadarago Lake, once a rather fashionable resort. Here, from 1905 until 1940, the DL&W had a passenger and freight connection with the Southern New York Railway, an interurban to Oneonta. Milk and light freight were the chief sources of revenue on this branch. Delaware Otsego subsidiary Central New York Railroad acquired this branch from Richfield Jct. to Richfield Springs, 22 miles, in 1973. Enginehouse was at Richfield Springs. Became part of NYS&W northern division after NYS&W bought the DL&W Syracuse & Utica branches from Conrail in 1982. Traffic on line gradually dropped off. Line east from Bridgewater embargoed in 1990. Abandoned and track removed in 1995, westerly 2-3 miles left in place for stone trains. In 2009: This old railroad is now owned by the Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley LLC in Richfield Springs. They also own the 1930 Newark Milk and Cream Company creamery in South Columbia. |
| New York Central Branch from DeKalk Junction to Ogdensburg, In 1861, the Potsdam & Watertown line merged into the Watertown&Rome, the name of the new railroad was changed to Rome, Watertown&Ogdensburg, and a 19-mile line built from DeKalb Junction to Ogdensburg. It lasted until the 1980's. Read the whole story. |
Railroads On The Rebound |
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Over the last 50+ years, railroads have changed a lot. Now they are about to change again.
It is all about a combination of economic factors and climate factors. Since 1950 , railroads have consolidated. Freight moved from a "box car mentality" to a "unit train,mentality". Passenger went from a robust business to a "caretaker" arrangement called AMTRAK. This happened as everybody could drive for free on the Interstate Highway System or fly on an airline system where the government subsidized both airlines and airports. In the meantime, railroad express and railroad post offices went "down the tubes". The old Post Office Department and the Railway Express Agency could not adjust to the new way. UPS and Fex Ex could. |
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Carbon Calculator
What's the most environmentally-friendly way to transport goods? The answer is freight rail. The EPA estimates that every ton-mile of freight that moves by rail instead of by highway reduces greenhouse emissions by two-thirds. But what does that really mean? Our easy-to-use carbon calculator will estimate the amount of carbon dioxide that can be prevented from entering our environment just by using freight rail instead of trucks. We'll even tell you how many seedlings you'd need to plant to have the same effect. |
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| Interested in Penn Central? New York Central? Pennsylvania Railroad? New Haven Railroad? or in the smaller Eastern US railroads? Then you will be interested in "What if the Penn Central Merger Did Not Happen". You will also enjoy "Could George Alpert have saved the New Haven?" as well as "What if the New Haven never merged with Penn Central?" | ||
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Greenland's ice caps are melting! Find out more about Global Warming at our Ominous Ecology WebSite. |
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Several years ago I wrote a story on the major railroads of 1950 and what happened to them.
Now I am following up with a closer examination of the New York Central Railroad. This railroad only lasted until 1968 when it merged into Penn Central. But, what was the NY Central Railroad like in 1950? You will also be interested in "What if the Penn Central Merger Did Not Happen" |
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When was the West Shore abandoned? Ever wonder when the West Shore Division of the New York Central was abandoned?
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There is a
"Snow Belt"
in New York State that runs above Syracuse and Utica.
It goes East from Oswego to at least Boonville. Here's the station at Boonville.
Find out more about Weather around the World Ominous Weather is about more than weather. Its about our environment. Its about our social issues that need to be surfaced if we want to save our environment. See Champions of our Environment like Al Gore SAS le Prince Albert II de Monaco John R. Stilgoe Ralph Nader. We have addressed several railroad-related projects that will conserve fuel and lessen pollution. Our Window on Europe spotlights projects that can help the rest of the World. We have other environmental sites on garbage trucks and Rapid response temporary shelters / portable housing. |
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More About West Shore Abandonments 1969 publication of Waldo Nielsen's "Guide to Abandoned Railroads" says that Syracuse to Fairport was abandoned between 1951 and 1961 and that Churchville to Oakfield was abandoned in the same time frame. What's left west of Syracuse? Fairport-to-Churchville Jordon, NY-Jordon Industral (Old Westshore/NYC Yard) Churchville, NY: the NYC realinment to the west of Churchville where the main line tied into the West Shore to by pass the grade crossing through town. The present CSX Chicago Line from East Syracuse to Belle Isle was originally the West Shore main around Syracuse. The bridge abutments date to about 1883, and the NYC bridge numbers are based on Weehawken mileage. 2 stub sideings at the Glen Falls Lehigh Portland Cement in Solvay. Today's "West Shore Branch" runs from Chili to Fairport but this is but a short segement of the West Shore Railroad. |
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Tyler City Station: WebSite about abandoned rail in Western Connecticut Tyler City Station a pleasant and informative cyber-destination and a starting point for those interested in the history of railroads. The focus will be on those in southwestern Connecticut, but we may take a side track into other local historical topics spinning off from railroads in this and possibly in other geographic areas as well. The important role that the railroad played in the development of this state and this country can hardly be overestimated. Here is an idea of the contents: Track 1. Tyler City - Railroad Boom Town; Track 2. The New Haven and Derby Railroad, 1864-1941; Track 3. New Haven and Derby Extra: Locomotive roster, statistics, officials; Track 4. New Haven and Derby Mainline: Tour from New Haven to Ansonia; Track 5. New Haven and Derby Extension: Tour from Derby Jct. to Botsford; Track 6. The Iron Horse in New Haven, 1838-1920; Track 7. New Haven Extra - Photo and archival materials; Track 8. West Haven: Railroads and Orphans; Track 9. Brookfield and its Railroads, 1840-1941; Track 10. Danbury and its Railroads, 1850-1920; Track 11. Bridgeport; Track 12. Waterbury; Track 13. Terryville; Track 14. Middletown; Track 15. Hartford. |
| See some excellent West Shore pictures |
Other Abandonments in New York State
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| Other railroad abandonments interesting to me because they relate to areas I have written about. Courtesy of trainweather.com. | |
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Delaware & Hudson Troy Branch: NEW YORK – DELAWARE AND HUDSON RAILWAY COMPANY, INC, dba CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY - To abandon a 1.3 mile line of railroad known as the Troy Branch extending from milepost T1.81 at Green Island to milepost T3.11 at Cohoes, in Albany County, NY. Effective on March 19, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-156 (Sub-No. 24X, decided February 9, served February 18, 2004) | |
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Poughkeepsie Hospital Branch:
NEW YORK – NEW YORK AND EASTERN RAILWAY, LLC/CSX/ NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES, LLC – For NY&E and CSXT to discontinue service over and for NYC to abandon an approximately 4.7-mile line of railroad between milepost QCO 0.0 and milepost QCO 3.2 and between milepost QCK 29.5 and milepost QCK 31.0, in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, NY. A final decision will be issued by October 15, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-873X, AB-55 (Sub-No. 652X), AB-565 (Sub-No. 17X, decided July 13, served July 19, 2004) | |
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New York Central Putnam Division: NEW YORK – NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES, LLC - To abandon and CSXT to discontinue service over an approximately 1.5-mile line of railroad between milepost QVP 0.0 at Melrose Avenue and milepost QVP 1.5 near the southernmost edge of the tunnel at Southern Boulevard in Bronx County, NY. Effective on April 17, 2003. (STB Docket Nos. AB-565 (Sub-No. 13X) and AB-55 (Sub-No. 628X, decided March 11, served March 18, 2003) | |
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Delaware & Hudson Albany Main: NEW YORK – DELAWARE AND HUDSON RAILWAY CO. INC., D/B/A CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY - To abandon a 9.14+/- mile portion of railroad known as the Albany Main or the Voorheesville Running Track, between milepost 10.94+/- and milepost 1.8+/- in Albany County, NY. Effective on July 16, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-156 (Sub-No. 23X, decided June 9, served June 16, 2003) | |
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Long Island Garden City branch: GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK - LONG ISLAND RAILROAD CO. - To discontinue service over a line of railroad between milepost 18.8 in Garden City and milepost 21.0 in Garden City, Nassau County, NY, a distance of 2.2 miles. A final decision will be issued by September 6, 2002. (STB Docket No. AB-837X, decided June 5, served June 10, 2002) | |
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South Shore Branch: INDIANA - CHICAGO SOUTHSHORE & SOUTH BEND RAILROAD - To abandon a line from a connection at the east end of CSS's Lincoln Yard near Second Street to the end of the line at the facility of the Pioneer Lumber Company, a distance of less than 1/2 mile in Laporte County, Indiana. This line may have been a part of another carrier's main line years ago. Final decision by November 16, 2001. (STB Docket No. AB-344, Sub No. 1X, decided August 14, served August 20, 2001) | |
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New York City Cross Harbor Railroad: NEW YORK - NEW YORK CROSS HARBOR RAILROAD, INC - Asked to authorize the abandonment by New York Cross Harbor Railroad, Inc. (NYCH), of the Bush Terminal Yard (a/k/a ``First Avenue Yard'') and the Harborside Industrial Center (a/k/a ``Brooklyn Army Terminal'') (jointly the Tracks and Facilities), in New York, Kings County, NY. (STB Docket No. AB-596, decided December 14, served December 21, 2001) | |
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Boston & Maine Watertown Branch: MASSACHUSETTS - BOSTON & MAINE - To abandon the Bemis Branch from m.p. 8.83 to m.p. 10.94, 2.11 miles, in Waltham and Watertown, MA. Written comments due by June 12. (STB Docket No. AB-32, Sub No. 89, decided May 15, served May 18, 2000) |
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Tracking Abandoned Railroad Mileage See an extensive database of railroad mileage Source for mileage and owner road marks: ***************************************************** * National Transportation Atlas Databases, 1999 * * National Rail Network 1:100,000 * * Bureau of Transportation Statistics (comp.) * * U.S. Department of Transportatation * * Washington, DC * ***************************************************** The data covers the 48 contiguous states plus Hawaii. The mileage was derived by computing the length of each line and summing by owner mark and status. This process may have resulted in significant cumulative errors. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Copyright 1999 James R. Irwin Permission is granted to copy and distribute this listing provided that this notice, the citations, and the copyright are included. |
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The Central New York Railroad
ran to Richfield Springs. This traffic signal controlled cars on historic Route 20 for many years. |
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Removing the Maybrook Line tracks in 1983 Photo by the late Austin McEntee Nine years after the big bridge in Poughkeepsie burned the tracks of the Maybrook Line were removed. This photo shows the last train on the line picking up the sections of rail as they were torn up. The rails were in section as much as a quarter mile long. They were winched onto a set of special train cars with racks to fit the rails. This was the very last train to pass over the Maybrook Line. When it was gone there were no more rails. A group of dedicated rail fans were braving the winter cold to witness the sad events. After 90 years of service the Maybrook Line will fade into the history books. There will be no more trains but Dutchess County purchased the abandoned roadbed with the intention of building a north south highway but those plans did not work out. Instead the County will use the property as a utility corridor and bury water lines under the old ballast. The plan also includes paving it to form a hiking and bicycling “rail trail” for public use. The scene in this photo will be the Hopewell Junction end of the rail trail with a parking area. The depot in the distance is being restored to become a museum and educational facility for the town. There may not be any more trains on the Maybrook Line but a bit of Hopewell Junction’s railroad history will be preserved in the old depot. Click here to see more on the Central New England Railroad in Hopewell Junction |
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| Canal Line today through New Haven |
| Connecticut's Farmington Canal was converted to a railroad by 1848. The road was named the New Haven & Northampton, but has always been called the Canal Line. The road's first terminal in New Haven was between Temple Street and Hillhouse Avenue. Click Here or on any of the pictures to read about its history, present and the future | ||
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The railroads were way overbuilt in the 19th century. There were
just too many railroads and they were terribly inefficient. With
modern technology today's railroads move far more freight than they
did 50 years ago.
Certainly railroads are needed, and in my opinion, we need more electric railroads since then can be powered by coal rather than oil. Here's my radical solution: Tax gasoline more and subsidize public transportation. Commuter buses and rails should be FREE. It's the only way we are really going to reduce our dependance on foreign oil. |
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Harvard Professor John R. Stilgoe states that: ‘Train travel will supplant highway and air travel in the next few decades.
Furthermore,
electric railroads
will increasingly be used to distribute freight items as well as mail and express packages.’
According to Stilgoe the three prime factors driving railroad development are population growth, rising gas prices, and advanced technology. “In the 1930s it was possible to order a fridge in the morning and have it delivered by train later the same day,” says Stilgoe. “Americans forgot about this, but we’re starting to put it back together.” Stilgoe slso wrote an excellent yet overlooked book on railroads and the built environment shaped by them called Metropolitan Corridor:Railroads and the American Scene that I highly recommend. Whats most interesting is that the book is 6 months old and already much has changed in that brief time to further move us toward a new era of the train and seemingly away from our old era of the highway and sprawl, particularly with respect to the financial crisis, foreclosure mess, high gas prices, politics of "change" and global warming awareness. |
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Traveling in Europe? You will probably need to make a FERRY RESERVATION. Stop by and see our Reservations Center. |
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