Trolley Bridge Ruins - Aqueduct , NY

Although I had visited this spot last winter (see The Mohawk River Trolley Bridge Ruins), this time I invited along both local railroad history expert Gino Di Carlo, as well as good friend from High School Gary Cunningham, who has accompanied me on quite a few other treks.

Gino is an expert on local railroad "archeology". He grew up in Aqueduct and explored everything train-related nearby as a kid. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge and shared quite a few interesting historical tidbits. He was great company!

We met at the Boat House parking lot and---much to my surprise--found a wide groomed path along the river at the end of the driveway.

We trekked in and saw large piles of stones--rubble from the canal lining ages ago.

Our Trek to the Trolley Bridge

Stone Canal Rubble 

Lots of Rubble!

Once at the piers, Gary suggested taking a photo of Gino and I to show just how massive these piers are. We looked like pipsqueaks!

A short walk in the muck provided this view

We hiked up the hill where a photo of the abutment was taken.

We then walked up the hill, following the gas line clearing, to the spot where the trolley once crossed the railroad, (see Mystery Ruins). For a short while,  Gino seemed lost  in contemplation of how it was yesteryear...

On the northwest side of the abandoned crossing, Gary encouraged a second photo op:

We next explored the long forgotten railroad spur nearby - it has a fascinating history >

Freemans Bridge Trail - Scotia NY

I went out for a quickie evening ride on a trail that lead from Freemans Bridge Road to Scotia.

 As I unloaded my bike, a train passed over the bridge nearby.

The first thing I see is this retarded sign - the destination is Scotia not Glenville ("New York State Tax dollars" being put to work - bah humbug!)

An active train line goes over the trail. It was a bummer riding thru the short underpass - fetid water splashed all over me and I got my feet soaked. Proper drainage for this trail was non-existent (New York State tax dollars NOT at work!!)

Once at the trail ends in Scotia, you come to where the old bridge crossed the river.  I believe, at one time, this was a railroad/trolley bridge for the Fulton, Johnstown and  & Gloverville Railroad. You can even see the old cobblestones  :-)

Historical Info - The Burr Bridge - After a troubled start, the 997-foot bridge was completed in 1808 and spanned the Mohawk River between Schenectady and Scotia, NY.  It was a covered wooden bridge until 1871, and then an iron bridge, which was condemned in 1926 and removed in 1936. More Info, Historical Photos and links to further Info here >

On the way back, I took a side trek off the trail - this verdant spot reminded me a bit of the Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve.

Probably a gas line inspection vehicle left these tracks - there were mini pipes here and there that looked like gas line valves.

But this embankment intrigued me... It looked like a railroad embankment but it lead to nowhere..

 The whole embankment was made from large chunks of broken cement pieces...

I climbed up to inspect closer...  As you can see, there are railroad ties tossed in with the large rocks and cement cast-offs.

I believe this was a dumping ground for an earlier version of the Freemans Bridge but there is so much heavy old tree growth, this rubble pile goes back quite a few years! 

Check out a Super Short Video of the Ride >

The ride was topped off with an unusual cloud formation which I photographed as I strapped my bike back on the car at the LightHouse/Boat ramp parking lot. I called this "Sinister Scotia Sky"