Peirce, what is the status of the ex-NH trackage between Danbury and Poughkeepsie? MN ran an inspection train over it years ago, and I believe there have been one or two excursions. Has there been any talk about CSX or NS obtaining and repairing the Hudson River bridge and entering the New York City and Connecticut markets by that route?
I think the New York traffic would have too many clearance problems on the Danbury route once they got to the New Haven to New York section. With those restrictions the cost probably would exceed any benefits. That is all under the wire and there would be height restrictions. Freight on the old NYC Hudson line also has clearance problems with the third rail from Croton-Harmon down to Mott Haven with long cars. There is a connection from the Hudson line to the Danbury line that was used after the bridge fire. Some day the Coast Guard will order the removal of the bridge for safety reasons.
I believe Gil has pretty well covered the situation involving the connection between Danbury and Pok. As for any interest on the part of NS or CSX, I have heard of none. As for as the Pok bridge being removed, it is anybody's guess when, or if, that will happen. There is a group in Pok camgaigning to have the bridge repaired and traffic over it restored to some limited degree. They claim the bridge is structurally sound. I don't know if they are right or not.
