by fredmcain
Actually, by looking at Google Earth satellite views some more and by zooming in, it’s possible to make out a row of trees that curves away from near the west end of the South Norwalk M-N station. Then that row trees proceeds down a slight hill to South Main Street. The row of trees then runs right alongside the west side of S. Main. That is where I spotted the old and badly rusted rails in 1985. They were already getting badly overgrown, but the trees were not that big yet back in ’85.
However, by going to Google Earth Street views, I could find no trace of a former rail line at street level. There might be a rail or two here or there lying in someone’s yard; a possibility that I cannot completely dismiss.
Here are my memories from 1965 when I was about in the 7th grade:
Proceeding south on S. Main, the line came down a slight hill and followed the road. On the west side of the road there was some kind of a big factory or industrial facility. Noel Weaver in his post from years ago mentioned “Nash Engineering”. That would sound about right. However, there is no trace left of such a factory like that today.
The track ran between the road and the factory. There was at least one entrance, perhaps two, to this facility that crossed the track which was/were protected by crossbucks.
The track continued southward right next to the road, then after S. Main joined Route 136 the track crossed the road at an oblique angle and entered some kind of a facility that received tank car loads. Someone earlier in this thread mentioned Gulf Oil. That might be about right. However, there again, there is no trace left of such an oil facility today.
Another post earlier in this thread mentioned a bridge over Route 136 that had been taken out. But I do not recall a bridge. My memory is that the track crossed the road at grade. The rails then ran underneath a gate and into the tank car facility.
The sad fact is that this has been a rather long time ago now. If 1972 was, in fact, the date of abandonment, then SHEESH ~ ! That’s been over 50 years ago now~! No wonder you won’t find a trace on a Google Earth Street View~ !
However, by going to Google Earth Street views, I could find no trace of a former rail line at street level. There might be a rail or two here or there lying in someone’s yard; a possibility that I cannot completely dismiss.
Here are my memories from 1965 when I was about in the 7th grade:
Proceeding south on S. Main, the line came down a slight hill and followed the road. On the west side of the road there was some kind of a big factory or industrial facility. Noel Weaver in his post from years ago mentioned “Nash Engineering”. That would sound about right. However, there is no trace left of such a factory like that today.
The track ran between the road and the factory. There was at least one entrance, perhaps two, to this facility that crossed the track which was/were protected by crossbucks.
The track continued southward right next to the road, then after S. Main joined Route 136 the track crossed the road at an oblique angle and entered some kind of a facility that received tank car loads. Someone earlier in this thread mentioned Gulf Oil. That might be about right. However, there again, there is no trace left of such an oil facility today.
Another post earlier in this thread mentioned a bridge over Route 136 that had been taken out. But I do not recall a bridge. My memory is that the track crossed the road at grade. The rails then ran underneath a gate and into the tank car facility.
The sad fact is that this has been a rather long time ago now. If 1972 was, in fact, the date of abandonment, then SHEESH ~ ! That’s been over 50 years ago now~! No wonder you won’t find a trace on a Google Earth Street View~ !
Fred M. Cain,
New Haven Railroad fan
Not afraid to use my own name
New Haven Railroad fan
Not afraid to use my own name