Utica Branch Discussion Thread

Utica Notes: Most of the slow orders which were in effect last year on Paris Hill appear to have been rescinded as UT-1 moves along at a good speed throughout. This is no doubt a result of the completion late last year of a major track project. On March 14th, CSX 2514 & NYSW 3040 teamed-up once again to take a train to Sangerfield. The area was experiencing a major snowstorm but the locomotives appeared to have little difficulty getting the job done.

As mentioned in my last update, more ties have been delivered along Utica's Water Street for another track project. Photo below.

Here's a video featuring scenes from the March 14th run:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtPlIlTWe2k

Utica Notes: Only one trip to Sangerfield last week. This is due to change soon as there is always a big increase in traffic each spring to the three customers receiving agricultural products and the one customer receiving asphalt. It's not unusual to see trips everyday M-F during the next few months. I did not see 3040 at all last week; CSX 2514 handled all the work.

This video shows highlights of March 20th's Utica local including switching at Oneida Warehouse, New Hartford:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADe7ZlAYwyk

Utica Notes: Still no sightings of 3040 and only one Utica-Sangerfield run last week with CSX 2514 providing the power. It's been a three-man crew of late, most likely training a new conductor.

This video from March 27th opens with a longer view of street running on Schuyler Street and includes switching activity at Di Highway at the very end of the NY Mills Industrial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMD-3teJbYg

Utica Notes: The number of asphalt tank cars consigned to Oneida Asphalt, Sangerfield, continues to increase as road construction season nears. Two runs were made to Sangerfield last week. Still no sign of 3040, CSX leaser 2514 handling all tasks.

This video features a look at the April 4th Sangerfield train in Chadwicks, Clayville and Greens Crossing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7h2LcKnMT8

Utica Notes: No. 3040 is back in action. It worked on the Utica-area switching jobs on April 10th, then ran to Sangerfield with CSX 2514 on April 11th and 12th. No. 2514 will shortly be be sidelined for a time as it undergoes its 92 day inspection. Another engine will likely arrive soon to assist 3040 on the Sangerfield runs. In the springtime, train size to Sangerfield increases greatly necessitating another engine to move traffic over Paris Hill. No. 3040 is only rated for 7 loads up Paris Hill to Sangerfield. Maintenance work is occurring as crews have begun to replace some rail and drop ties. Two trips were made to Sangerfield last week.

This video from April 11th features look at UT-1's run to Sangerfield, with 3040 in the lead, and includes set-offs on Kellogg Rd, Washington Mills, by a high-rail and a MOW truck:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veEOQPqrPko&t=17s

This video, made on April 12th, also shows UT-1 on another trip to Sangerfield with a close-up view of the freight passing by Richfield Junction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_4tqq4DSlQ

I'm new to this I hear lot about nysw Utica line like videos is nysw is ever put going to put Binghamton to Utica back in service

Utica Notes: A new engine has come on the branch, another CSX leaser, No. 4423 a GP-40. It was delivered last weekend and pressed into service on April 24th joining CSX 2514 and NYS&W 3040 for a super-rare (for the Utica branch) three-engine lash-up for the Sangerfield run. Three trips to Sangerfield occurred the weeks of April 17th & 24th. On April 27th, seven MOW vehicles were spotted heading north back to Utica. Could be the spring tie replacement project is over as there are no more new ties left along Water Street, Utica, at the Susquehanna's yard. Regarding Henry's question posed above: I have no information on whether/when the 60-mile stretch of tracks between Chenango Forks-Sangerfield will be returned to service.

Here's a look at the three-engine run on April 24th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcykQGv0BU4&t=2s

And this video features, among other things, the MOW move from April 27th on Schuyler Street:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--D2SHfee_c&t=1s

From I been hearing dog food plant in sheburne might be interested in rail service again ? But at lease it customer?

Utica Notes: Trips to Sangerfield have been occurring 3-4 times per week over the past two weeks. Stone has been dumped inside the gauge on the tracks running parallel to NYS Routes 5, 8 & 12 in Utica as well as west of French Rd, Utica, on the industrial. No. 3040 has been sidelined the last few weeks in favor of the two leased CSX engines.

This video features a look at UT-1 on May 8th (running south along NYS Routes 5, 8 & 12) and on May 12th northbound on Utica's Schuyler Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaDmud3rwp4&t=2s

Of special note on the May 12th train: a nicely weathered and graffiti-free Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac covered hopper. The RF&P was absorbed into CSX in 1991.

Utica Notes: Trips to Sangerfield continue to occur 3-4 times per week, almost always using both CSX engines for power (2514 & 4423). CSX leaser 2514 came off the branch yesterday when CSX picked it up along with several empty cars to be interchanged. 3040 is now back at work, having been sidelined over a month for repairs. Track work continues as well.

Here are some videos made subsequent to my last post:

"Rumble, Rustle & Roar" (S Utica, Clayville & Waterville)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwFF3qDuFqg

"Heading My Way" (Schuyler St and...a campfire?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2KrE-HCNY

"Branchline Railroading & A Friendly Wave" (Utica, Clayville, Cassville where the train is seen crossing under Rt 8, Waterville and Schuyler St)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYMcrF4x-fM&t=3s

"Groan, Squeak & Screech" (switching at FX Matt Brewery & Schuyler Street--this video has gone viral with over 320K views)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5Em_OtLhEQ

"The Perils of Street Running" (engineer blew horn several times on Schuyler St to get attention of truck driver to move his rig)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhfeQctWbEc&t=1s

Utica Notes: Trips to Sangerfield are down a bit, perhaps twice per week of late. However, no change in there being daily activity on the Utica industrial tracks serving customers in New Hartford and New York Mills. Track work seems just about complete now. I did observe some ditching work taking place south of Chadwicks on July 3rd. CSX GP40 No. 4423 remains on the branch but is only used now on runs to Sangerfield when it assists the Utica standard power GP40 No. 3040.

Here's a video from July 3rd showing activity on Schuyler Street (both southbound & northbound), South Utica, Chadwicks, Clayville and Paris Station:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3h-S5Ou-kk&t=5s

Two video screenshots follow plus a photo showing what may well be one of the original spikes used on the Utica, Chenango & Susquehanna Valley, the first railroad on this line, which dates to the late 1860's. Found it along the roadbed in Chadwicks; it's likely the old spike was brought to the surface during recent track projects. A modern spike is included in the photo for comparison.

I don’t post much, but I do appreciate your posts ut-1 - it’s an interesting chunk of railroad I probably wouldn’t have known about were it not for your videos/posts, and it’s nice to get updates.
That’s quite a difference in spike size. I wonder what size rail was used originally.

Ken Rice wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 9:39 am That’s quite a difference in spike size. I wonder what size rail was used originally.

I'm told by Doug Ellison, retired NYS&W railroader & Utica branch historian (he's writing a book about the line), that UC&SV rail was 56 lbs (iron) Utica to Norwich then 62 lbs (iron) south to Chenango Forks.

Utica Notes: Runs to Sangerfield are now occurring just once or twice per week which is normal for this time of year. Daily activity continues on the industrial trackage off the Utica main serving customers in New Hartford (on former O&W Utica Division tracks) and New York Mills (on former West Shore rails). Doug Ellison, a retired NYS&W railroader, is nearing completion of his book on the Utica branch. I'll advise when it's published.

Here's a video from July 28th featuring scenes on Schuyler Street as well as on the New Hartford industrial (by O&W milepost 272):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI3SlZpVU1E&t=7s

A few photos:

Utica Notes: Daily activity M-F continues on the New York Mills & New Hartford industrials in the Utica area. Trips to Sangerfield are occurring once or twice per week with approximately 2-4 loads. It seems as though most of the track work on the branch this season has been completed. A new barrier has been installed on the siding along Utica's Arterial--this is the track that the runaway hopper traveled down in July 2015 before jumping a derail, entering the main and eventually crashing into a former NYC steamer on display at Union Station. The siding was taken out of service after that incident. It was used to store covered hoppers consigned to Fountainhead Group, a New York Mills customer. Perhaps cars will be placed there again. I will get a photo of the barrier for the next update.

This video features activity on Schuyler Street & former West Shore tracks on Sept 26th, including a look at a black cat crossing in front of the train and a flagman at work on a construction site:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E05tDTW7t0