MIDDLETOWN- Though the New York, Ontario & Western Railway was one of the first major rail lines to close in the United States on March 29, 1957, its impacts on New York and Orange County in particular were formidable. The railroad, extending more than 500 miles to Oswego, was operated from Middletown, NY and its trains once connected an array of communities between Middletown and Cornwall. Opened in 1880s, what was known as the Middletown Branch was a vital connection through municipalities such as Stony Ford, Campbell Hall, Rock Tavern, Little Britain, Firthcliffe, and Cornwall Landing where O&W trains would then use the tracks of the West Shore to reach Weehawken, NJ. Following the line’s abandonment, remains of the Middletown Branch quickly vanished and, today, it takes a trained eye to visualize the sites of tracks, bridges, and stations—none of which remain today save for Middletown.
Those interested in learning more about this forgotten Orange County railroad are encouraged to attend the Friday, May 3, 2024, Ontario & Western Historical Society meeting where Ray Kelly will give his detailed then-and-now program on the Middletown Branch. A tenured member of the organization, Ray has carefully photographed the few remaining relics of this railroad line and uses a wide collection of period images to compare the past with what remains today.
For any questions about this program or becoming a member of the O&WRHS, please contact President Joseph Senese at superjoe852003@yahoo.com.
