The Cortland Branch

East Ithaca to Camden, NY

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This line extends from the LV mainline at Ithaca to Camden; it crosses the The Auburn Branch at Freeville, west of Cortland. Just south of Camden, the line ends at its junction with a former New York Central mainline.

Most of the right-of-way has been abandoned, except for a short three-mile section around Cortland that is still considered "active" and accessible via connection with CSX (formerly the Syracuse Branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western); however, it is doubtful that the tracks in this "active" segment have been used in a long time. The tracks beyond this section to their endpoint in Camden were taken out in 1976.

View looking northeast toward Cortland at the McLean Road Extens... — View looking northeast toward Cortland at the McLean Road Extension crossing. This small, three-mile existing segment of the old Lehigh Valley Railroad connects to the former DL&W Syracuse Line farther up the track, and services a lumber company behind the photographer under Conrail and the NYS&W. This segment was still listed as ?active? and ?in-use? as of 2003, however, the condition of the tracks and the debris evident across the tracks suggest that this segment may have since been abandoned. A stop sign with the letter ?W? below it also can be seen to the left of the track pointing northeast. Photo by Kevin M. Smith, 5/1/2008.

View looking the opposite direction from the previous picture, s... — View looking the opposite direction from the previous picture, southwest, at the McLean Road Extension crossing showing the track heading into the lumber company it served as of 2003. All of the tracks beyond the lumber yard were torn up by 1978, although the right of way, a few bridges, and other signs of the long abandoned railroad can still be found in some places, both in person and also via Google Maps as of 2008, as the line heads toward McLean and Freeville. Photo by Kevin M. Smith, 5/1/2008.

A closer inspection of the debris across the track, looking nort... — A closer inspection of the debris across the track, looking northeast toward Cortland from the same crossing. Photo by Kevin M. Smith, 5/1/2008.

View looking southwest back toward the lumber company and the Mc... — View looking southwest back toward the lumber company and the McLean Road Extension crossing. Photo by Kevin M. Smith, 5/1/2008.

View slightly farther up the line toward Cortland, looking north... — View slightly farther up the line toward Cortland, looking northeast from the Route 281 crossing. The rails here also do not look like they have been used in quite awhile and have possibly been abandoned since 2003, although the tracks are free from debris and are likely in useable condition. Photo by Kevin M. Smith, 5/1/2008.

Looking southwest down the tracks at the Route 281 crossing. At ... — Looking southwest down the tracks at the Route 281 crossing. At the trees seen in the distance, the track curves to the left and then enters the lumber yard as seen previously. Photo by Kevin M. Smith, 5/1/2008.

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Map of the Lehigh Valley

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