Re: (erielack) the fate of the EL

["Tom Beckett" <tabeckett_@_stny.rr.com>]

I have a Conrail map from about 1978 showing the River Line as part of the
system, so it would appear it was included. I never got to see anything run
there; I lived in NY City at the time, but the finances and vehicle
availability I had at 19 precluded such long distance adventures. I did get
to see the bridge in August 1980 on a trip to Buffalo, it was still up then,
though I don't know if the line was in service. The next time I got there,
in October 1984, it was gone, just concrete footings with some short steel
sections sticking up from them.

I don't know about the inclusion of the B&SW, but I seem to remember it
showing as operated under contract. If I can locate the map-it's around here
somewhere-I'll check that.

TAB
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Thurner" <chris.thurner_@_adelphia.com>
To: "Brian J Carlson" <brian_@_net.bluemoon.net>; "Michael Riley"
<wdperson_@_hotmail.com>; <gelwood@dnaco.net>
Cc: <erielack_@_lists.railfan.net>
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2001 11:43 AM
Subject: RE: (erielack) the fate of the EL


> Brian Carlson stated:
>
> Well in may not be notable to many but the entire B&SW and the
> Riverline were not included in CR.
>
> I respectfully beg to differ in regards to the River Line.
>
> CR operated it for 2, maybe 3 years as I best recall.  A major derailment,
> either near or perhaps actually on the Genesee Viaduct, combined with the
> maintenance headaches of the very unstable (some would say fickle) soil
> there, made Conrail decide to abandon it (cr. 1980, I believe).
>
> If I'm incorrect here, then flame away.
>
> To the best of my knowledge, I believe you were correct that the B&SW line
> was not included (along with the Dayton Branch) in CR (hence the formation
> of the NY&LE, which still operates today).
>
> Regards,
>
> Chris
>
>
>

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