I can't remember if I've already shared this link, though I'm sure someone if not everyone has seen it, but what the heck it only takes 2 minutes to post it. Sorry if it is a repost.....
http://www.cooperstown.net/cherryvalley/index.html
This part in particular: Bypassed...and preserved
Many of the distinctive buildings you will see on your walking tour of Cherry Valley date from the first half of the nineteenth century. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 greatly reduced the importance of the Cherry Valley Turnpike as a commercial thoroughfare. The building of the New York Central Railroad along the Mohawk Route, followed by the Albany and Susquehanna route to Binghamton, diminished the Turnpike further to the status of a rural stagecoach route.
Cherry Valley thus would never again be a major commercial center. But in 1870 Cherry Valley did become a spur of the Albany and Susquehanna, and with its new connection in Cobleskill was at least able to hold and support its own.
The advent of the automobile breathed new life into the Cherry Valley Turnpike which in time evolved into the mighty Transcontinental Highway, US Route 20. Route 20 in New York State was largely superseded by the New York State Thruway after the war. And in 1954 a section of the former Cherry Valley Turnpike was reconstructed to bypass Cherry Valley itself. An exit now leaves you one mile north. Most who love the character of this landmark village would agree that this change was probably for the best.
***** One casualty though was the old Cherry Valley Railroad, whose right-of-way was cut off by the construction of the "new" Route 20. A railroad bridge was built over the highway, a green structure that still greets you as you descend westward on Route 20 along the Mohawk side of Cherry Valley. But that railroad bridge has never borne track or tie. *****
I don't know if there is any truth about how this bridge never had track installed.
I also just found this. I have never seen it before:
http://www.abandonedrails.com/Cherry_Valley_Branch
- Mark