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Seeking information on "Rockland Branch" W&N Line Delaware
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45356		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  thehnw1223 [ Thu Mar 18, 2021 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Seeking information on "Rockland Branch" W&N Line Delaware
Howdy,

I was doing some background research on the Wilmington & Northern Railroad (currently owned and operated by East Penn Railroad, LLC since 2004) and while looking over the line at Montchanin, Delaware, I noticed markings for a small abandoned line labeled "Rockland Branch" (see attached OpenRailwayMap screenshot).

This looks like some sort of industrial line that was served the Soda House right by the Hagley Library south of Montchanin. Does anybody know the history of this line and when it was eventually abandoned?

Thank you,

Attachments:
W&N Line Rockland Branch.JPG
W&N Line Rockland Branch.JPG [ 69.52 KiB | Viewed 4239 times ]
Author:  EJ Berry [ Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Seeking information on "Rockland Branch" W&N Line Delawa
Your map tells the story. I understand there were some mills in Rockland served by the branch.

Here's one reference:

https://www.abandonedrails.com/montchanin-to-rockland

And something about Montchanin Village:

https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm9 ... n_Delaware

Phil Mulligan
Author:  jrevans [ Wed Mar 31, 2021 2:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Seeking information on "Rockland Branch" W&N Line Delawa
The Delaware DOT has this document which shows on page 6 that the branch was abandoned on August 2, 1976:
https://deldot.gov/Publications/plans/r ... SHEETS.pdf

Facebook had some pictures on Feb 22 in this group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/227846344042098/

The NPS has info about the historical station which mentions the branch:
https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/117e ... 850e6ff836

On the ConRail formation document here:
https://prod.stb.gov/wp-content/uploads ... -Part1.pdf
page 53 (page 59 in the pdf) has some good information about the branch. In the disposition, they recommend that it not be included in ConRail:
Quote:
The Rockland Industrial Track is not designated for transfer to Consolidated Rail Corp. and is available for subsidy pursuant to section 304 of the Act. Public officials have recommended that certain rail rights-of way be used for other public purposes if rail service is discontinued.
Author:  tomgears [ Thu Apr 22, 2021 6:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Seeking information on "Rockland Branch" W&N Line Delawa
Check out this FB group and search the posts.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/227846344042098

You can also get in touch with me. I'm local and have done some research.
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