Tracing Remnants of the Shepaug Railroad (SL&N) - Part Two

Hawleyville to Bethel

In 1872, the Shepaug Railroad reached an agreement with the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad to operate trains on that company's newly constructed 6-mile (9.7 km) Hawleyville Branch to Bethel. This branch was abandoned in 1911.

Google Street Views and Bing Bird's Eye Views

Google and Bing have a few interesting views...

Source: ITO Historic Railways Map

Hawleyville Looks like an abutment here (part of the old Wye). This is just north of 87 - Behind Large House on Land’s End Road Bird’s Eye View > Looks like an abutment here as well Bird’s Eye View > Follow it northeastward after it crosses over Old Bethel Road Bird’s Eye View > PLEASE NOTE this is upside down so eastward is scrolling to the right! South of Walnut Hill Rood - Note row of Conifers along old ROW. Zoom out and scroll to the left to follow eastward Bird’s Eye View > Plum Tree Road and Dibbles Brook - Note Property Lines sweeping Northeasterly - Map > | Bird’s Eye View shows the ROW in the center of the Aerial Taylor Road - Note Property Lines Looking southwest > | Looking northeast > Bethel Plum Tree and Whittlesey Bird’s Eye View shows the old bridge Judd Ave and Reynolds Ridge - Note Property Lines - Map > Bird’s Eye View shows the ROW Main St and Prospect - Street View >

World Topo 4U

For those of you who enjoy “researching in the field”, the World Topo 4U is the clearest indicator where to locate the abandoned ROWs.

March, 14th Trek - Photos

On March 14th, 2015—after giving a presentation/lecture in Newtown on the history of railroads in the area (PDF) —I ventured out with a friend to capture a few "photos in the field". We started at the Hawleyville Wye and trekked southward. Unfortunately the weather was exceptionally crappy (rainy and overcast) but nevertheless we were able to snap a few pics. Letters on the photos match the location on the map(s) above.

Further Info and Photos

• Shepaug, Litchfield and Northern Railroad (Wikipedia)