Anybody know what industries used this line ?
The northernmost industry after the line was cut may have been the quarry on Quarry Road, but into the 1970s it was aggregate (maybe coal before that) just north of Lindley St. The silos are still standing (Hi-Ho painted on them for Hi-Ho D'addario construction company).
Below Lindley St on the East side, there were various industries including some steel fabrication places.
Any pictures exist ? (probably not)
Not aware of any.
Why was the whole southern part torn up total ?
No business, Bridgeport politics, funding available for urban "renewal". The viaduct was an eyesore. The old station was a mess.
If a trail what is the big stall ?
$$$$$$, pure & simple, plus a little reticence from Trumbull not wanting the people from "the South" walking up the path, breaking into homes & stealing the 50" plasma TVs & walking back down to the pawn shop for some quick "crack" cash.
Actually, the big problem is where Rt 25 & the Merritt Pkwy meet. Only the bridge spans the Merritt & to put a path there, some engineering would be needed to wend the path around the various connecting ramps. Also, Rt 8 occupies the ROW from Rt 1 up to Old Town Rd, so placing it would mean acquiring an easement and/or construction of a grade separation. And Bridgeport politics.
It seems Bridgeport gets rid of any spur railroads total.
Why not - all heavy industry has left Bridgeport over 30-40 years ago (well, maybe 20 years for GE/Remington & Carpenter Steel) to pollute China & other places in the world. You don't need a railroad to serve "vapourware". This is not your grandfathers model railroad. Shoot - you may be a grandfather if you grew up in Monroe in the 60's......