The March 2012 "Ask Trains" column included a Q&A about this branch. The response said that traffic may return at some point because of the nearby Marcellus Shale Field/natural gas drilling. Did rail traffic ever return to this line?
Not to my knowledge. AFAIK, the north end (Utica) is still "stranded" and relies on CSX for it's traffic (via interchange at Utica).
Not sure what progress has been made on repairs, although there are occasionally suggestions in the wind that something may happen.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
NY State has a moratorium on fracking, and has moved recently to extending it for 3 more years, so shale drilling is not going to happen while it is in effect.
MidlandMike NY State has a moratorium on fracking, and has moved recently to extending it for 3 more years, so shale drilling is not going to happen while it is in effect.
This probably wouldn't have any effect on the mining and shipping of fracking sand to out-of-state locations (like nearby Pennsylvania...)
tree68 MidlandMike NY State has a moratorium on fracking, and has moved recently to extending it for 3 more years, so shale drilling is not going to happen while it is in effect. This probably wouldn't have any effect on the mining and shipping of fracking sand to out-of-state locations (like nearby Pennsylvania...)
Are there any potential (fracking) sand mines on the route?
MidlandMike Are there any potential (fracking) sand mines on the route?
That I don't know, but it is a glacial area which may well have such deposits.
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