Port Jervis wrote:Cool idea. What's the feasibility of extending service from Spring Valley to Suffern so that Woodbine can be closed? More directly, what condition is the track between Woodbine and Suffern in?
The track between Woodbine and Suffern is now known as the Suffern Industrial (originally part of the Erie Railroads Peirmont Branch). The track is for the most part in OK condition and is still used to Norfolk Southern now and then to serve a lumber customer from Suffern. East of Airmont Road is where things start to get shakey. Rail and ties are in terrible shape and I remember hearing about a washout somewhere around Monsey or Tallman. I have not seen it myself, but rumor has it part of the RoW in that same area has been developed on.
First off, I don't think you'll ever see this line used for passenger service again unless somehow magically the Metro-North plan to extend the Hudson Line over the Tapan Zee Bridge actually happens (HA!!). Second, Suffern yard does not have the room to hold an additional 9 sets of equipment that Woodbine currently holds now. Woodbine Yard works just fine the way it is.
If the Suffern Industrial was restored for passenger service, not only would the whole line have to be rebuilt from point to point, Suffern Yard would need to be expanded (which there is no room to do) and SF Interlocking would need to be extended and realigned. Thats not to mention all the resistance the residents of Monsey and Tallman would put up. Three large obstacles that the small ridership potential along this short 5 mile stretch of track do not justify doing.