There was a lot of stuff on this line, most of which was probably in full swing in the early 50's, a few things perhaps on the way out too. If you don't have it already you might start with the CNYNRHS book on the Lackawanna in Syracuse; some information in that. I've picked up on a lot of things from riding around the city though: There used to be quite a yard up toward Fayette St., an empty lot today, but the track connecting to it goes to a brickmaker still served by NYS&W; There's a lumber yard (small) in Jamesville and the CNY Chapter has a large amount of equipment stored in what used to be a fairly large cement plant, across and a little ways north of the siding to the quarry. There's a foundry or steelmaker, a small plant that appears to have had a siding about where the rails turn north by the Rt 81/Rt 481 interchange; North of here is a warehouse or small plant of unknown type that also looks to have had a siding (visible from I-81 near Colvin St.). Untill OnTrack there was a short siding into what looks to be a steam plant, possibly for the University Hospital - my guess is it was to deliver coal 2-3 cars at a time, but that's based on seeing it primarily from going by on 81. siding goes east toward the 81 overpass not far from the SU platform and maybe 100ft west/north of where 81 goes over. Near the current and former stations is evidence of sidings that came to street level both north and south of the elevated main; rails still remain for some of them on the south/west side. Along Geddes St where the yard was there's at least two sidings into buildings, you can only tell by looking for buried rails or going back about 10 years when they were still buried in Fayette St. Also two ground level tracks appeared to go toward the large Dunk and Bright furniture warehouse, across West St., from in the yard. It would also appear there was a lot of things up in the old Fayette St yard area, which had one track that eventually came out in Solvay on the street side of the plants (may be NYC rail however). Also I've left out a still-extant siding on the north side of Geddes St. yard because it was NYC/West Shore, as was the north side of the yard and a parrallel track on the same embankment that came out in today's CP293 or SJ. Also... there's a large old warehouse (RCA TV and Radio logos on the top of it I believe) that would have been accessed from the line into the engine facility, which goes over Fayette street with an overpass, however I personally have never explored in here, it's not exactly one of those high class neighborhoods anymore. One more thing - this one I saw before it was torn down, between Geddes St, Erie Blvd and the tracks was a coal dealer with a huge set of concrete silos and a wood structure on top. that's been torn down for probably 15 years now, and is on the NYC side, but was kind of a landmark at one time. In any case there should be no shortage of additional industry; I'm 24 and have picked all this up from riding around and seeing what's left now. Only other suggestions would be maps from that time, older quadrant maps perhaps, or to do the same - look around and talk to some people here. Probably the best bet would be some kind of DL&W track diagrams, if you could find them. CNY may have a set hidden someplace, but we're so busy with the convention coming up it would be a while before we could help - in the meantime Good Luck! Bill K. Bill's Syracuse rail page http://www.dreamscape.com/pontiac/rail.html - ---------- : From: "AJDEL917_@_aol.com" : To: "erielack_@_internexus.net" : Subject: (erielack) Syracuse : Date: Thursday, June 04, 1998 9:29 PM : : Hello, I'm building a HO layout based on the DL&W in Syracuse in the early : 50's. Can anyone help me with any of their customers? The only ones I remember : are Kelly Bros. Coal, Solvay Process and Jamesville Quarry. Any info from that : era will help. Thanks Tony : - - : ----------------------------------------------------------- : Visit the erielack photopage at http://el-list.railfan.net - - ----------------------------------------------------------- Visit the erielack photopage at http://el-list.railfan.net ------------------------------
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