If there was a commandment for railroaders it would be “Remember the 29th and keep it holy.” The anniversary of the O&W’s demise is one of those “Where were you” moments in time. And the gap between those who remember the “Old Woman” when she was still with us; and those of us who only know her from the memories of the great storytellers of the tribe, grows inevitably wider.
As March 29th draws near, it’s time to take stock of the gains and losses of the past year. O&WRHS member Mike Noble’s favorite annual post was his telling of the last train out of the northern division, whistle fading into the distance and history. Mike was no taller than an O&W rail when the last train left town. But the love he had for the O&W was obvious. Sadly and all too soon, Mike left us this past winter. We lost a great man and a great historian.
Along the old road bed, time and nature takes back its own. In Cornwall, one abutment for the Orrs Mills trestle now is the foundation of a new house. A mile “North”, the cut where trains once passed under Beakes Rd. is being filled in as we speak for development. Mention the name Parksville to any O&W buff, and images of trains fighting gravity and the elements instantly comes to mind. The construction of Route 17, and its rebuilding, have taken with it many a piece of the former right of way.
Looking on a brighter note this first night of spring, The O&W’s Middletown station is being restored and repurposed. While its days as a stop on the way to the Catskills are gone forever, the exterior will soon be returned to its former glory. Lights will soon glow in her windows again. And hopefully, The Ontario and Western Railway Historical Society will have a home in mother church.
In other events, a rail trail is being constructed in Circleville, on the Erie’s Pine Bush branch. And construction has at long last begun on the Erie’s Newburgh branch conversion to the Schunemunk trail. New life has come to Port Jervis in the way of a railroad museum. Centered around the turntable that once turned the Erie’s legendary steam roster.
As spring draws us into thoughts of warm happy days, let us remember the New York, Ontario and Western for all she symbolized in life; and the status of legend that has come with her passing. While many of the great railroad lines are gone, our rich railroad history is alive and well. And hopefully grows as the next generation of railfans comes along to carry the torch.
Bob McCue