Utica Branch Discussion Thread

[ut-1]

7) Brewhouse Bound!

8) Nearly All In.

9) Outward Bound.

[ut-1]

10) Rounding the Bend.

11) Schuyler Re-Switch.

12) "Looks okay."

[ut-1]

13) 1 car to hitch.

14) Heading for the barn.

[thebigham]

Thanks, ut-1, for all the pictures!

[ut-1]

I had the opportunity late yesterday morning to follow the 3040 up Paris Hill. The Susquehanna had not tackled the hill in a few days and there was a good build-up on snow and ice on the rails making it a tough slog for the 3040. It was also very cold, zero to a few degrees above, but the brilliant blue winter skies made it a great day to snap a few photos regardless!

Photo 1: Approaching Main Street, Clayville, NY.

Photo 2: Nearly there.

Photo 3: Crossing Main St, Clayville, NY.

[ut-1]

Photo 4 (of 6): Nearing the Summit, Paris Station, NY.

Photo 5 (of 6): Passing Lincoln-Davies Lumber, Paris Station, NY.

Photo 6 (of 6): Cresting the Summit, Sangerfield-Bound!

[thebigham]

Thanks for these great pics!

[RussNelson]

On the brewery tour, there is one window you can look out of and see the tracks internal to the plant. I've seen a car parked on it, but never seen it switched. Thanks!

[ut-1]

I shadowed 3040 again, this time late afternoon yesterday until a few minutes past sunset. The crew were bringing four excess height boxcars to Oneida Warehouse, Campion Rd, New Hartford on ex-NYO&W Utica branch trackage. The first nine pictures were taken very close to the westerly stub end of the former O&W line; appropriately enough, the town road which parallels these tracks is named Ontario Ave.

Photo 1/12: The Road Ahead.

Photo 2/12: Heading To Switch.

Photo 3/12: Highball!

[ut-1]

Photo 4/12: Crossing Wilbur Road, New Hartford.

Photo 5/12: Begin Backing Onto Spur.

Photo 6/12: Backing....

[ut-1]

Photo 7/12: Nearly Cleared Main.

Photo 8/12: Switching Completed, Eastward Having Just Crossed Sauquoit Creek.

Photo 9/12: Passing O&W Milepost 272.

[ut-1]

Photo 10/12: Heading Down Schuyler At Sunset.

Photo 11/12: Unplanned Stop: Checking Clearance Of Parked Car To Train

Photo 12/12: Passing An Ancient Sentinel.

[ut-1]

It's been a very light winter here in the Utica, NY area regarding snowfall thus far. However, we did get about a foot of snow on Monday prompting the NYS&W to run a snowplow work extra from Utica to Sangerfield, about 22 miles, to clear the line. I wasn't able to follow the crew southbound to Sangerfield while plowing was underway, however, I did manage to snap a few photos on the return leg of their journey.

Photo 1) 3040 northbound with plow in tow, South Utica, between Higby Rd & Genesee St.

Photo 2) Approaching ex-DL&W New Hartford station (city of Utica acquired a big chunk of New Hartford in the early 1930's, including the land on which the old station rests); note former NYC caboose, it's currently used as a hair salon.

Photo 3) Passing station.

[ut-1]

Photo 4) Crossing Genesee St, Utica.

Photo 5) At The Northerly End Of Schuyler St, Utica.

Photo 6) Ex-DL&W Watchman Tower Stands Vigil As Snowplow Extra Passes By.

[thebigham]

Great pics!

Thanks.

How old is the plow?