Bethel-Hawley

I now have a bit more definitive word from my friend in Litchfield re the terminus area of the Shepaug Line. I had guessed yesterday (Tue.) that the line must have entered town from the southwest somewhere in the area where South Lake Street and West Street intersected. It turns out that I was one street off and the actual r-o-w was on what is now known as Russell Street which is one street east of South Lake Street. My friend went on to say that the line is still easy to see between Bantam and Litchfield and that it almost got turned in to a bike path a few years ago. Part of the r-o-w is now also used as a power line. He went on to say that some concrete work can still be seen on the Lake Branch which served the ice house on Bantam Lake. Apparently part of the Litchfield Depot still exists and is now a flower shop. The old dump bins for coal, stone, etc. are used by the Town of Litchfield for salt and sand. He also said that he thought at one time the line crossed West Street (Route 202) to once serve a lumber yard. For those interested in seeing the actual routing on a USGS map of Litchfield, go to http://docs.unh.edu/CT/ltch04se.jpg. - - Personally, I can't get over the fact that for so many years I had assumed that the Shepaug had entered Litchfield along side of Route 63 south of the village. I guess one is never too old to learn something new.

Leroy "Lee" Beaujon

For a little more information on the Litchfield station se page 63 of A Field Guide to Southern New England Railroad Depots and Freight Houses by John H. Roy, Jr. and published by Branch Line Press.

cnefan--
Thanks for the information and for posting the link to the USGS map! (Looking at the map it's easy to see why the Litchfield branch had the reputation of being the curviest railroad in the Eastern U.S.!)
As for what remains of the right of way: can't say anything about Litchfield, mentioned in previous post preservation as recreational trail in Steeprock Park in Washington. The line left Washington Depot heading roughly north along the river (& the road you would take-- can't remember the route number-- if driving from Washington Depot to Bantam), but I think many traces of the r-o-w were erased by the flood in ??1955?? (the flood that "rearranged" places like Winsted).