by Ridgefielder
The discussion of the West River Railroad in the thread on Central Vermont branches got me thinking of this topic. What would we nominate as the top 10 or 20 most futile, never-should-have-been-built railroads in New England? I'm thinking "steam" roads only here, since it seems pretty obvious that most of the trolley/interurban network was a bad idea.
I'll start with one from my own state: the Meriden, Waterbury & Connecticut River. Connected Waterbury with a Connecticut River "port" at Cromwell, on the theory that someone in Waterbury would want to ship merchandise that way. Completed in 1888 or thereabouts, leased to the NY&NE, bankrupt almost immediately. Reorganized in 1898 and leased to the NYNH&H. If I recall correctly the line wasn't even operated for a few years in the early 1890's. I believe the section to Cromwell was gone by the time of the First World War; rest of the rails lifted in the mid-'20s.
What else?
I'll start with one from my own state: the Meriden, Waterbury & Connecticut River. Connected Waterbury with a Connecticut River "port" at Cromwell, on the theory that someone in Waterbury would want to ship merchandise that way. Completed in 1888 or thereabouts, leased to the NY&NE, bankrupt almost immediately. Reorganized in 1898 and leased to the NYNH&H. If I recall correctly the line wasn't even operated for a few years in the early 1890's. I believe the section to Cromwell was gone by the time of the First World War; rest of the rails lifted in the mid-'20s.
What else?