Earlier this summer I stumbled upon a time warp..I never even knew it was there!
and looks like I caught it just in time.
The location: Goodrich Road crossing, One mile west of Owego, NY.
1870 - The Southern Central Railroad builds its single track line alongside the Erie's double track mainline.
1895 - the scene doesnt change much, but the SC is now part of the Lehigh Valley.
1960 - the scene doesnt change much, but the Erie is now the EL
1976 - the scene doesnt change much, but all three tracks are now Conrail.
1987 - the scene doesnt change much, but the single-track LV remnant is now Tioga Central.
1992 - the scene doesnt change much, but the single-track LV remnant is now Owego & Harford.
1999 - the scene doesnt change much, but the double track Southern Tier main is now Norfolk Southern.
August 2010, Scot finally stumbles across the location..basically unchanged, as far as the tracks are concerned, for 140 years.
(the scenery probably hasnt changed much either.)
where every common type of locomotive ever known has passed by..and many uncommon ones as well.
(From Civil War era 4-4-0's, to Erie 2-8-8-8-2's, to Lehigh Valley Alcos, to Phoebe Snow E-units, to D&H sharks,
to everything Conrail ever owned, to NS ES44AC's..amazing..)
Looking East down the LV Auburn division, toward Owego. (now an Owego & Harford Railroad spur)
Looking East down the Erie Railroad's double-track mainline. (now Norfolk Southern)
Looking West
The remnant of LV Auburn division track ends in those trees in the distance. there are some
freight cars stored down at the end of the line.
I dont think there is anywhere along the Southern tier main where you can find quite this kind of timeless scene,
(even Starrucca Viaduct is now single-tracked..)
But now, after 140 years, the scene is going to change a lot, and soon!
get out there with those cameras..
Scot