(erielack) Graham Line Photos

["Paul Brezicki" <doctorpb_@_bellsouth.net>]

I'll add a few comments to Schuyler's. The Graham line was one of Erie's big low-grade freight line projects in the early 20th century; another was the River line in upstate NY. The east end used the Newburgh branch as far as Highland Mills. In 1953 the steeply graded Main line through Otisville was abandoned between Graham and a point approx 10 miles further east called Howell's, where the Main and Graham lines were adjacant and at grade; this became officially the new west end of the Graham line. At the same time Otisville tunnel was single-tracked, presumably in anticipation of TOFC service which began on Erie the following year (1954) and TCS (what Erie called CTC) was installed on this segment. Thereafter Otisville tunnel was somewhat of a bottleneck, since capacity had been reduced from four main tracks to one. The transfer of traffic to the Graham line was completed in the 1980's with the abandonment of most of the remainder of the Main line.

The photos and map are most interesting. In the latter down in the valley can be seen the O&W Port Jervis branch (and junction with the Monticello branch), and the abandoned Delaware & Hudson canal, which was the reason for the "Port" in Port Jervis. Image 7 clearly shows the underpass for the EB freight track was built to accomodate future double-tracking. This was a frequent feature of Erie bridge and underpass projects of the 20th century, and is also seen in Moodna viaduct and the Belfast and Fillmore viaducts on the River line.

Paul B

From: "rdukarm" <rdukarm_@_adelphia.net>
Subject: (erielack) Graham Line Photos

List,

I have a series of 53 photos which I purchased many years
ago. These are 2 x 4 inch contact prints, and all apear to be
taken on the Graham Line. Several of the photos have the year
1948 on the back, so I am assuming that they all are from the
summer of 1948. No other data is listed.

http://dukarm.railfan.net/

I asked Schuyler to look at a couple, and he also came up with
this excellent map and short history of the line. I'll be posting
the photos over the next 4 or 5 days. As always, your comments
are most welcomed. Here's Schuyler's write-up:

"It's on the west side of Shawangunk Mountain, west of
Otisville and east of Port J.  Look at:

http://historical.maptech.com/getImage.cfm?fname=prtj08ne.jpg&state=NY

which is a 1908 map redone in 1944.  What you're looking
at is the junction of the Graham line with the old main line 
coming down the hill from Otisville.  The Berk on the left 
has come through the tunnel, and the Mike on the ramp in the
middle is headed up toward Otisville. 

The station which appears in many of the photos is Guymard.

I've tried to find this spot, but it appears to me that when the
tracks over the top were ripped out, they eliminated the bridge
which went under the ramp for the eastbound Graham line main.
You can see that going off to the right, right between the two
locomotives.

Most people think that the Graham line construction ended 
at Howells Junction east of Otisville, but that's not so. The 
reconstruction included the tunnel under Otisville and on to
this junction. Otisville was retained for passenger service, 
and for a few industries in town, as I understand it.


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