I'm looking to trace the right-of-way of the Shore Line Electric between New Haven and New London, but I haven't been able to find a decent map to start from. Surprisingly, the Shore Line Trolley Museum has virtually nothing beyond the East Haven- Branford - Stony Creek route. Can anyone help?
If you're familiar with the lower portion of the VALLEY LINE, from Saybrook Jct (Old Saybrook) down to Saybrook Point, the Shore Line Electric used to FLY OVER this branch, just about 1/4 mile SOUTH of Old Saybrook Station, immediately (1-200 feet) south of RTE 1. At least until 1973, the EAST half of this concrete flyover was still intact.
In 1973, a local character bent my ear for about a half hour, telling me much of the history of SHORE LINE ELECTRIC. I only wish that I could remember one tenth of what he told me!
Going east on the Amtrak Shore Line from Old Saybrook, about 3/4 of a mile beyond Old Saybrook on the South side of the tracks, is the remains of an abutment where SLE flew over the Shore Line. I suspect (and ONLY suspect) that some of the R.O.W. between these two flyovers may now be paved over and in use as a public road.
I too, would love to learn more about SLE