Biking

"In the field" railroad history adventures...

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Glenville/Alplaus Visit

A short visit to upstate NY to visit my family is never complete without checking out railroad remnants :-)

Old Stone Railroad Bridge

This lovely stone railroad bridge can be found off Glenridge Road in East Glenville, NY.

Historical Details
In 1881, the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western Railway opened an extension west from Mechanicville to Rotterdam Junction. This was later to be incorporated into the Fitchburg Railroad which by 1919 became part of the Boston & Maine RailroadMore info >
1930 USGS Topo Map


Trolley Bridge Ruins - Alplaus, NY

I have been here numerous times... This view of the Mohawk River old trolley bridge piers is looking south. It was part of the Schenectady Railway. Historical Details >
Note kayakers
Note Birds

4 comments:

  1. Hey Rich, Your site is fantastic - I could spend hours here! I grew up in East Glenville (60's and 70's) and explored the Alplaus valley extensively. Going up the hill heading east on Glenridge Road, the Cozy Dale farm buildings were on the left just before the B&M overpass. The Schenectady RR trolley line went under the B&M to the south of Glenridge Road and right through the Cozy Dale farm fields on the way north to Ballston Spa. The trolley stopped at the farm to take cans of milk into Schenectady! If you look at the B&M embankment on the right side of Glenridge Road, you can see where the trolley underpass was backfilled in. When I was a kid some of the stonework was still exposed. To the south of that point is the stone arch B&M bridge. I would love to go back 100 years and roam that area! Keep up the great work that you do preserving this history! I really enjoy it! Chip Ruhl, Williamsport, PA

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  2. Replying to "Unknown" above
    You may enjoy this site as well = Lots of details of that area :-)
    https://www.vizettes.com/kt/upstateny-history/rt/railroads-trolleys.htm

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  3. Chip: also these sites
    http://www.vizettes.com/kt/rr/index.htm

    https://infomapsplus.blogspot.com/search/label/U.S.%20Railroads

    https://vizettes.com/kt/cd-rr-history/index.htm

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  4. Thanks Rich! I didn't realize the trolley tunnel under the B & M was uncovered during the Glenridge Road work. I have been gone from the area since 1983. Someday I will get back to do some exploring again, hopefully this coming summer! Chip

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