Utica Branch Discussion Thread

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Utica Notes: Big Surprise! On Oct 18th, I observed Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern 2042 working the branch together with 3040! It's since been on a number of trains and may still be on the branch although I didn't see it when I drove past the yard yesterday. A bumping post has been installed on the Utica siding on which a juvenile released the brakes of a covered hopper back in July 2015--the hopper rolled all the way down to Union Station causing substantial damage This could mean the Susquehanna will once again be storing cars here. Track work is occurring at Loomis Rd approx 3 miles south of the Sangerfield feed mills. Unsure if this means part of the line south of Sangerfield will be reopened.

Here's a video showing 2042 working the branch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj_RKAK3ayI&t=6s

This video features glances of 3040 on Nov 2nd in Utica, Clayville, Cassville & Paris Station:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fJy7CPPtfA

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Utica Notes: A new building is being erected in the Utica yard. It will shelter the inspection pit. Also, grading has occurred for a new access road off Water Street. Traffic levels remain constant. The industrials see action everyday M-F and runs to Sangerfield occur at least twice per week. New Hartford's Oneida Warehouse is by far the biggest Utica-area customer receiving as many as 5 boxcars per switch job.

This video includes a look at Nov 20th's Utica local with views in the yard, on Schuyler Street and along Utica's Arterial (NYS Routes 5, 8 & 12) :

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

Credit Drone Photo: Nick Viscosi

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Utica Notes: The building featured in the last update has now been completed and it is housing the railroad's snowplow. The big news since my last post is that the first run up the branch since 2018 from Chenango Forks northward occurred on December 4th. A leased NS four-axle engine brought two empty hoppers 60 miles up to Sangerfield. The short train continued on its way to Utica on December 5th. The reason for this seemingly non-revenue move is unknown to me. Otherwise, operations remain unchanged with 2-3 runs to Sangerfield each week and daily activity on the Utica industrial lines, especially to Oneida Warehouse, New Hartford (formerly Mohawk Containers).

Here is a nighttime video from Schuyler Street made on Jan 18th featuring No. 3040 taking a twelve-car train back to the Utica yard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmdo90XWkrM&t=3s

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Utica Notes: Monday, January 29th, brought a big surprise here as MA&N 2453 (ALCo C425) made an appearance on the branch to take over for 3040 (probably out for inspection/repairs). No. 2453 began service as Erie-Lackawanna 2453 and saw much service on the Utica line for that fallen flag. 2453 made two trips to Sangerfield during the week, one solo and one teamed up with 3040. It was still in the Utica yard Friday morning while 3040 was working on the Utica industrials.

Here's a video on the sharp-looking ALCo heading down Schuyler Street the morning of January 29th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBIF0bE339E

[Aledl]

Hi all,
I am very interested in NYS&W operations. I have made a list of good places to catch trains and I have a general idea of the region, but I was wondering if anyone could help with train runnings….Do trains have some regularity? Is there a train schedule? I am particularly interested in the Syracuse - Binghamton line and the street running in Utica. Depending on what I may find, I could make my way up to NJ, so I could look for trains in Newfouland or across the Hansack River, for instance. I know NYS&W runs the SU-99 and S-100 and, apparently, they run daylight. But I am not sure how to plan mi visit. I mean, do trains run in a particular time range?

I am planning to railfan in NY and PA between March 20th and March 23rd. I may spend 4 days on this activity but it will depend on what I could arrange in this area and what I may find on my way from Chicago.

I would really appreciate any help on this.
Thank you very much in advance.

Best,
--
Alejandro

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Utica Notes: The annual "spring rush" of additional tonnage up and over Paris Hill to customers in Waterville and Sangerfield has been well underway for some time now. CSX leaser GP-38 No. 2722 has been on the branch for approximately two months now assisting "Utica workhorse" No. 3040. Business to New Hartford's Oneida Warehouse is also booming with daily switching at this important customer occurring M-F. Trips to Sangerfield have also been happening on almost a daily basis during the week. On at least a few occasions of late, the Susquehanna used two crews during a single day: one to handle switching duties in the Utica yard and on the industrials, the other to head down south to Sangerfield. Logically enough, the increased traffic has also resulted in many more cars in the Utica yard; I noticed a string of ten boxcars present there this AM in addition to probably 20+ covered hoppers. Weed spraying occurred south to Sangerfield (and presumably on the industrials as well) on May 2nd.

Here are a few videos since my last update:

"Clarence, How's the Clearance?" (May 17th, an interesting "meet" on Schuyler Street):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5zlYENXSuE&t=1s

"Don't Bug Me!" (April 30th, Schuyler St and an "encounter" with a VW Bug parked a tad close to the tracks in Clayville):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkKz9scfoXU&t=6s

"At The Junction...Richfield Junction!" (April 23rd, southbound & northbound views of UT-1 at "RJ"):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=traQezagz-0&t=4s

"Out On A Branch" (April 18th, & 19th northbound on Schuyler Street, southbound pacing on Schuyler, Holman City Road, Sauquoit & Summit Rd, Cassville)):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7BM5eld0BU&t=2s

[frank754]

Since the northern Utica branch is kind of an isolated operation and little or no operation from Chenango Forks through Norwich, how is the equipment moved from the Syracuse branch to the Utica branch? Do they have trackage rights on CSX between Syracuse and Utica?

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Utica Notes: Regarding "frank754's" question: I don't know whether the Susquehanna enjoys trackage rights between Syracuse-Utica on CSX. I do know, however, that all cars for Utica are interchanged by a regular CSX freight. Traffic to Sangerfield has peaked for the season. I believe CSX 2722 is now off the branch, or secluded in the enginehouse, as I have not seen it in a few weeks. Operations otherwise remain the same with the industrials being worked everyday M-F. Fifty bundles of new ties containing 25 ties per bundle have recently been placed at the far easterly end of the Utica yard along Water Street.

This video features a look at a big northbound freight on Schuyler Street on June 4th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5YlCejZ2tY&t=1s

This video features the brewery switch occurring on June 18th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkSjW4n1m7c&t=3s

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Utica Notes: Retired railroader and historian Doug Ellison has just completed a book on the Utica branch. Doug grew up along the line in Earlville. In a joint venture with the Utica & Mohawk Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, his book will be published within the next few months. It promises to be a dandy! I will give notice here when the book becomes available and advise how a copy can be had. Branch activity of late is centered mostly on the Utica industrials. As is usually the case this time of year, traffic to Sangerfield has significantly decreased following the "spring rush" with about two trips each week to "SANG." 3040 was down for repairs/inspection for a few days. The snowplow was moved out of the shed to allow 3040 enter so that the mechanic could make use of the inspection pit.

Here are two recent videos:

"Sweeping, Switching & Screeching" from July 5th (this video has attained "viral" status with over 300K views)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGD-4tiwuDg&t=2s

"Owing the Road" from July 22nd:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyA2Mmv8muk&t=2s

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Utica Notes: I did not realize this when posting my last update: for approximately 3 weeks in July service to Sangerfield was suspended due to repairs on the bridge over NYS Rt 12 in Sangerfield. Traffic to Sangerfield has now resumed with approximately 1-2 trips per week. Otherwise, the branch sees daily activity M-F with action on the industrials to customers in New Hartford and New York Mills.

Doug Ellison's book, "A Fond Look At Phoebe Snow's Utica Division," tracing the line's history from the 1860's to early NYS&W era in the 1980's, is now available. Doug is a retired railroader having last worked as a VP for the Susquehanna. He grew up along the Utica branch in Earlville, approximately 35 miles south of Utica. The book is over 300 pages and offers 425 photographs, many in color. It is offered for sale by the Utica & Mohawk Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Cost: $74.00, includes tax & shipping. Make your check payable to "U&MV Chapter NRHS," PO Box 455, New Hartford NY 13413.

Here's a video showing recent activity on the branch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Howok7wpX7E&t=1s

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Utica Notes: Since my last update nearly two months ago: 1) 3040 was off the branch for a few weeks having work done in Selkirk--it's been back for approx a month now. In its absence, a CSX leased unit handled branch duties. That engine departed over the past weekend; 2) New Hartford's Oneida Warehouse continues, in my estimation, to be the biggest customer on the line. I recently saw 6 boxcars on track outside the Warehouse and the track inside can handle 3 cars. Two switch moves per day are not unheard of; 3) I've heard from a reliable source that a new customer may be coming to Sangerfield to load cars for shipment with agricultural products. This would be a nice boost for the line should it ever come to be; 4) Doug Ellison's book, "A Fond Look At Phoebe Snow's Utica Division," continues to be a good seller. Copies should be available at this weekend's model train show in Syracuse. Copies continue to be available by mail by sending a check for $74 payable to "U&MV Chapter NRHS" to PO Box 455, New Hartford NY 13413; 5) trips to Sangerfield continue at the pace of 2-3 per week. Yesterday I saw a 17 car train returning from "SANG."

Here are some recent videos:

Interview with Doug Ellison on his excellent book regarding our favorite branch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7hSTVJDksE&t=2s

From 10/28 showing Schuyler Street & switching customers on the New York Mills Industrial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2MoEJXQZEw&t=1s

From 10/30 AERIAL VIEWS WITH SOUND of UT-1 southbound on Schuyler Street and along Ontario Ave in New Hartford:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i62yV9kIYDY&t=1s

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Utica Notes: Business as usual since my last update: everyday activity M-F on the Utica-area industrials with trips to Sangerfield occurring 1-2 times weekly. On December 3rd, noticed work occurring on the NYS Rt 8 bridge in Sauquoit which carries traffic over the Utica Main. Railroad workers were observed along the tracks as well. Not sure exactly what was being done. Not much snow so far this season, certainly nothing close to snowfall in western & northern New York.

This video made on December 3rd features activity on Schuyler Street and Paris Hill where events didn't go exactly as planned as UT-1 had to cut off its short train on the main (just north of the Sauquoit Rt 8 bridge mentioned above) likely due to icy rails/slow order under the bridge or a combination of both:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nnS3228ICY&t=1s

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Utica Notes: I only learned about this fairly recently, but back on June 21st DeLong Co. announced that they purchased a "country grain elevator" in Sangerfield from Gold Star https://www.delongcompany.com/the-delon ... -elevator/ Gold Star will remain in business, however, only divesting itself of the country grain elevator. The other customer in Sangerfield is GrowMark which is located on the south side of US 20, the other two businesses located on US 20's north side.

It is my understanding the DeLong will ship product OUT of Sangerfield making it the first NYSW Utica branch customer in quite some time to make outbound shipments. Presumably, DeLong's purchase will result in extra traffic on the branch.

Otherwise, it's business as usual. I did notice that the two hoppers brought up from Binghamton earlier this year are still in the Utica yard. Oneida Warehouse in New Hartford continues to receive a good volume of cars. Trips to Sangerfield are occurring about twice-weekly. Not much snow so far this season, presently our pre-Christmas snow cover has all but disappeared but snow is in the forecast for the next few days.

Now on to a few recent videos.

From December 20th, "Baby It's Cold Outside..." featuring UT-1 northbound on Schuyler Street

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umoEwSS43U4&t=2s

From December 26th, "In Old Man Winter's Frosty Grip" featuring UT-1 southbound on Schuyler Street and then switching big customer Oneida Warehouse in nearby New Hartford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNsN-2p0x_U&t=1s

From December 30th, "Old School Railroading" featuring 3040 passing by a home in Clayville located very close to the tracks as well as switching at Louis J. Gale & Son in Waterville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TwhZC2G454&t=5s