Regarding the copper-lined tank, did anyone notice pipes connected to it? It could have been an early hot-water tank, with the stones serving as heat reservoirs.

Henry! That was a long time ago and it was very dark up in the attic. We only had lanterns. There could have been pipes out of the bottom. There was nothing else up there for a heat source other than attic heat so in the winter, no hot water I guess? I will ask Rick if he remembers any more details.

During WW11 when gas was rationed a lot of thirsty railroaders lived in State Line. Their favorite pub was in Great Barrington, they knew the scheduals for the branch so they would go down to the roundhouse, get a K-1b and run it to Rising. There they would wait for the southbound passinger train and after it went by they would open up and follow it to Great Barrington and clear on the siding. After their fun they would go back and wait for the northbound passinger train and after it passed they would open up and follow it to Rising. By this time it was late and there would no fear of anything on the branch so an easy run to State Line and put they engine away. Do you think maybe the operators at Rising and Great Barrington were in on this???

Officially, no.

State Line branch opened 1842. Last passenger train 1928. Interchange closed State Line 7/1/1959 Last freight train out of State Line 1959. State Line to West Stockbridge abandoned 1961 2.6 miles. West Stockbridge to Rising abandoned 4/6/1964 6.7 miles. 5/31/1964 all rail intact West Stockbridge to Rising. Track removal was between June and Sept 1964.

Between 1961 and the end of service trains out of Rising had to shove all the way to West Stockbridge 6.7 miles. Joe Kersey had loaded a car of his cows to be shipped to Chicago via Maybrook, Erie RR at West Stockbridge. This is live stock and has to be expedited. NX-12 was running late and when NX-13 arrived Rising, Operator Elizabeth Cooper instructed NX-13 they would have to go get the cows! They had to make the westbound at Danbury that night! The crew of NX-13 gave her a real bad time about it. When the smoke settled NX-13 was shoving north 6.7 miles!

When they shoved that long a distance, I assume they would lead with the hack on the front? I can't imagine a man riding on the side of the car that distance.

I've got three(3) 8"X10" photos of Bridge 8.82 on this branch taken 10/24/61. The bridge timbers and ties for the branch are in place but the rails have just been removed. Is the Canaan group Leroy suggested in an earlier post the proper place to donate these photos?

The best place would be the UCONN library where they would be put on the website and everyone could view them. Can you see the abutments at all? If I remember correctly the bridge just east of Baker St had wood abutments and the 2 west of the trailer park had stone abutments.

The first bridge west of Rt 41 crossing west of the trailer park in West Stockbridge had stone abutments.

If the crew didn't use the hack, the brakie or flagman would ride the top of the car, if strong enough and plenty of clearance hang off the side of the car but usually would ride on the knuckle. Stand on the knuckle. For newbies. Riding the top of the car and standing on the knuckle was forbidden after the NH's time.

The abutments of this bridge are stone. The bridge is over a small river or stream. Just country as far as the eye can see in both directions.

Rick remembers the box but no details! We were in the attic for treasures and this thing was to big to fit through the hole that we just came through. As I said, it looked like it was built there. Never seen one anywhere else!

Dad left State Line when the freight did unless the B&A needed him for train orders, but that was rare. The RS-3s could really move, even with 80 cars or more! We would make it to West Stockbridge just in time to see the crossing lights start to flash. The train was moving at a good clip so we had to stop. Soon as the caboose cleared, off we go, the train was hidden from Rt 41 until just south of Balgens siding, unless you took dirt roads, but you would never be able to keep up, they were really moving. Approaching Rt 41 south of Balgens, the lights begin to flash; the sound of the air horn tells you,(you better stop). After this crossing the tracks kind of paralel the road so your side by side if you can keep up! It was fun watching the night freight go through the curves and woods. Next was North Plain Rd crossing and by this time the train was slowing down for the Junction (Rising). We watched it here, then went to Rising.

If George says its 6.7 to W Stockbridge, then the site must be 2.12 mi west of the station. I'll have to drive from the station to the trailer park off of rt41 and check the milage as there are 2 bridge sites maybe a mile apart with one being a quarter mi from rt41.

Capacity of passing siding Gross was 8 cars. Dad kept train orders (form 31) for meets here in steam days. Form 31's had to be signed by the crew.

I was with Dad at State Line when the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority called him. They wanted to know if they would have to build a bridge over the Railroad track at West Stockbridge? It sounded like they really didn't want to, unless absolutely necessary! Dad told them they would have to build the bridge, and hung up the phone with a laugh! Maybe he knew something?

The engines and cabooses always needed drinking water! There was a spring at State Line yard between the New Haven RR and The B&A half way between the engine house switch and the station. There was one at Rockdale Mills just south of Rt 41 crossing, about 100 yds, between the track and the Williams River.

The last piece of NYNH&H equipment to operate on the State Line branch was a Motor car 492T. It was left behind in West Stockbridge and the boys from Troy's garage would run it to Rising where the rail was removed and then return to West Stockbridge. The had the Railroad all to their own until the rails were removed.