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Learn about the county’s forgotten railroad line

Middletown. Enjoy this deep dive into the Ontario & Western Railway’s Middletown connection.

Middletown /
| 30 Apr 2024 | 12:50
    This large railroad viaduct, known as the Orr Mills Trestle, once spanned the Moodna Creek and Route 32 in Cornwall. However, like much of the Middletown Branch, it has almost entirely vanished today.
    This large railroad viaduct, known as the Orr Mills Trestle, once spanned the Moodna Creek and Route 32 in Cornwall. However, like much of the Middletown Branch, it has almost entirely vanished today. ( Photo courtesy of Alex Prizgintas )

At 7 p.m. on Friday, May 3, the Ontario & Western Railway Historical Society will hold a presentation concerning the railway’s Middletown Division, which extended from Middletown to Cornwall Landing through towns such as Stony Ford, Campbell Hall, Rock Tavern, and Firthcliffe.

Although Ontario & Western Railway was one of the first major rail lines to close in the United States on March 29, 1957, its impact on New York and Orange County were formidable.

The railroad, extending more than 500 miles to Oswego, was operated from Middletown 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 throughfare through municipalities such as Stony Ford, Campbell Hall, Rock Tavern, Little Britian, Firthcliffe and Cornwall Landing where Ontario & Western 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 Ontario & Western Railway Historical Society meeting where Ray Kelly will give his detailed then-and-now program on the Middletown Branch. Kelly has photographed the remaining relics of this railroad line and uses a wide collection of period images to compare the past with what remains today.

All Ontario & Western Railway Historical Society meetings are held at the Mulberry Senior Center, located at 62-70 W. Main St. in Middletown. The public is welcome to attend in person. For those unable to view the program in person, Zoom streaming is offered.

For any questions about this program or becoming a member, contact Joseph Senese at superjoe852003@yahoo.com.