(I originally had this in the Erie forums, but I think it belongs here). I found this picture (top) of a ROW that runs near where I live in Goshen NY. A quick check of the tax maps shows that it is a abandoned ROW. The photo lists it as the main line of LNE. I originally thought it was a Erie connection from the Main Line to the Graham Line in Campbell Hall, however the photo's tag shows different. I found a reference that states that the Goshen to Campbell Hall portion of the LNE went unbuilt. Is this true? The second photo shows the Goshen station and it clearly show the tracks splitting off in that direction. Can anyone add any insight or history to this segment? I love it when there is undiscovered railroad history so close to my home.
The LNE had plans to go this far north and more, but I think never went farther north than Pine Island, about 10 miles south of Goshen. It connected into a branch of the Erie that crossed the mainline in Goshen and I believe went all the way to Maybrook, another 10-20 miles north, which was a big RR yard with connections for New England. The LNE had rights to run their trains over the Erie tracks to get there I believe.
So the short answer is the main line in your photo is probably the old Erie main line. A freight bypass was built to stay away from all these little towns in that area and their grade crossings etc known and the Graham line, and that is what is left today for MetroNorth commuter trains.
JS