Re: (erielack) Riding the Commuter Lines

[MANDURR_@_aol.com]

In a message dated 5/2/01 10:56:50 PM, lackawanna_@_iname.com writes:

<< If I recall correctly, NS/Metro-North abandoned commuter service on the 
old 
Main Line and now runs everything via the freight cutoff.  I looked for 
where the old main and cutoff might meet, but couldn't find any evidence of 
the junctions.  Where were they, and what still exists? >>

The west side connection to the Graham Line from the old main was at Howells 
Jct. a few miles west of Middletown. If you are going west bound it would be 
on your left on a curve after passing through a long shale cut then a much 
smaller one. You pass under Bowser Rd bridge right were the track used to be. 
It is kind of tough to see because it leads off behind you.

The old main again branched off to the left after the next bridge (Derby Rd) 
and continued west to Otisville and permenently reconnected on the west side 
of Otisville tunnel. There was an interesting "subway tunnel" where the E &W 
bound Graham connected to the E & W bound main. I walked though there a few 
years back looking for it and missed it. I would be impressed if you could 
see it from a moving train (unless brush clearing has occured since then).

-From my tree house I could watch EL freights stopped on the main waiting for 
commuter trains to climb the hill in the afternoon. 
JD

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