Erie Lackawanna at Tarkett

Here is a look at the Tarkett flooring facility in Vails Gate NY. When it began production in the mid 1960's, they needed rail service and a portion of the shortcut that had been removed a year earlier for Cornwall Coal and Supply was re-installed for this facility. The scene here was taken in February of 1976. Next month, Conrail will take over the EL and seven other northeastern railroads. The facility experienced action up until 2008 when it closed. It is now a business park and the rails remain, waiting to be used once again. Russ Hallock photo.

Enderlin Station After the Shortcut

Here is a look at the Enderlin station in the late 1950's. Even after the Erie abandoned the shortcut, the few miles from Vails Gate Junction to Enderlin were kept to serve Cornwall Coal and Supply, who acquired the station. The building remained preserved incredibly well after the railroad left with the station sign intact. The latest reference to this small section of trackage is from the year 1963 when the clearance of the NYO&W bridge located north of there is listed in the EL timetable. Sometime after that, the track was removed back to Vails Gate Junction, only to be re-installed shortly after due to the opening of Tarkett facility in Vails Gate. The station contented to stand until 2013 when it suffered a small fire and was torn down a year after. Cornwall Coal and Supply continues to operate at the same location and the trackage to Tarkett remains silent today. Joyce Sternitzke photo.

Washingtonville Station After the Railroad

Here is a look at the Washingtonville station circa 1984. The Erie sold the building to noted artist E.J. McLaughlin who turned the building into depot antiques. When this photo was taken, the last Erie Lackawanna freight ran five years ago and business was slowing down. The station remained in good condition through the 1980's, yet the freight house behind it was burned in 1986. The station, having been vacant for a considerable amount of time, suffered two fires in the early 1990's. The second one in 1992 destroyed the structure and city officials removed the building. The site is now an open lot behind the depot strip mall in Washingtonville. Russ Hallock photo.