Track Question - Canton to Potsdam NY

On the old New York Central line from Syracuse to Norwood (now, Massena), specifically
between Canton and Potsdam, at a location known as Eben (now, the County Road #35 crossing),
the roadbed is quite wide, as if a second track may have existed at one time. This extends from
the crossing in both directions. I have seen RR maintenance vehicles use this "road", as well as
emergency vehicles. Can anyone tell me if indeed a second track, i.e., a passing track, may have
been located here many years ago? If so, length? Signals involved? As a child, I seem to remember
a siding (?) that went to a LP Gas dealer located near the crossing. Would that have been involved in
any of the trackage? Thanks in advance.

There was a siding there. As I recall it was quite long, almost a passing track.

Russ, do you remember this track? Anyone confirm the details of this, maybe from
an old employee TT?

1953 St. Lawrence Division ETT No. 73 of September 27, 1953 shows a southward siding at Eben holding 61 cars and a northward siding holding 58 cars. Capacity based on 44' cars. Jack

Thanks, Jack. It leads me to wonder why there would have been two sidings there,
of those lengths. Obviously, of some purpose, but, what? As I said before, I only
remember the LP gas dealer located there. Would it have been a convenient place
to "hold" cars? I remember the old-timers on the Canton Local talking about how the
old Norwood yard was so much better than the "new" Massena yard......would these
sidings have figured into operations at the Norwood yard? When did the Massena yard
"open"......after the 1953 ETT you have?

Bigt. I have no clue on the day to day operation in this territory. Jack

Bigt wrote:the old Norwood yard was so much better than the "new" Massena yard......would these
sidings have figured into operations at the Norwood yard?

Maybe. The old Norwood yard was at least ten tracks wide, and headed southward in the direction of the Rutland tracks. It was built on fill in a wetland (which of course would never be allowed these days), and you can still walk on the old yard without getting your feet wet (assuming that beaver is now gone).