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Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley RR
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Author:  K.R. Bell [ Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley RR
I was in Cooperstown, NY yesterday for the first time and noted the ex-C&CV and the ex-VBR 0-6-0 sitting in front of the depot. A few intriguing questions came to mind concerning the first C&CV tourist operation from 1971-1975; perhaps somebody on this board might know:

1. Aside from the cessation of tourist operations in May 1975, why was the 0-6-0 sidelined in 1975? Did it have any serious mechanical abnormalities?
2. Did Walter Rich employ any old steam heads on his DO operation at Oneota or on the C&CV?
3. At Cooperstown station, was the extent of the facilities there? A passing siding? A yard? Freight sidings? (Much of it is under backtop and hard to see.) Did the original C&CV run all the way into the Cooperstown station or did they terminate on the edge of town as does the current operation?
4. Was the 0-6-0 hostled and kept at Milford while operable?
5. Where were the C&CV's coaches kept? At Cooperstown or Milford?
6. Do any of the early coaches still exist? When were they moved off the C&CV and where did they go? The Soo line coaches? The CNJ combine and coach? The D&H diner? The Tennessee Central caboose? The Erie business car (is this the No. 300 business car displayed with the 0-6-0)?
7. Since the passing of Walter Rich, what provisions were made for disposition of his 0-6-0 and the NYS&W Cooperstown station headquarters? I noticed his downtown mansion was for sale so I assume his assetts are being dispersed in some form.

It would be interesting to hear of any stories from the C&CV's past. Joshua Blay: I'm curious if you might know?

~Kurt
Author:  Joshua K. Blay [ Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley RR
Here's what I know, or at least I think I know:

2. Did Walter Rich employ any old steam heads on his DO operation at Oneonta or on the C&CV?
I believe so but can't verify it. At least on one occasion the 0-6-0 was serviced at the D&H shops in Oneonta.

3. At Cooperstown station, was the extent of the facilities there? A passing siding? A yard? Freight sidings? (Much of it is under backtop and hard to see.) Did the original C&CV run all the way into the Cooperstown station or did they terminate on the edge of town as does the current operation?
There was a small yard, including a passing track and customer sidings. The DO era CACV did indeed go all the way into the village. There was a customer north of Main Street. The current operation owns all the way to Rte 80. The village has been very reluctant to have rail service back again, and the property from Rt 28 to 80 is for sale. Unfortunately due to lack of space, it doesn't make much practical sense to come into the village.

4. Was the 0-6-0 hostled and kept at Milford while operable?
Yes. DO built an enginehouse in Milford. They also kept the diesel there. PS- She was converted to oil after the DO moved to the NYC after the U&D operations ceased.

5. Where were the C&CV's coaches kept? At Cooperstown or Milford?
I don't know.

6. Do any of the early coaches still exist? When were they moved off the C&CV and where did they go? The Soo line coaches? The CNJ combine and coach? The D&H diner? The Tennessee Central caboose? The Erie business car (is this the No. 300 business car displayed with the 0-6-0)?
Yes, the Erie business car is still in Cooperstown. This was Bill Whit's car and as such was also NYC and D&H at some point. The original coaches were still used on NYSW trips into the 1980s, possibly even early 1990s. The Stourbrdidge Line has one coach but I don't know what happened to the others.

7. Since the passing of Walter Rich, what provisions were made for disposition of his 0-6-0 and the NYS&W Cooperstown station headquarters? I noticed his downtown mansion was for sale so I assume his assetts are being dispersed in some form.
The rolling stock has been reported as sold. The 0-6-0 to some outfit out west, and possibly the Erie business car and the LV parlor car to the M&E. There's also a couple ex PRR/PC/FJG boxcars used for storage. Rumors have been rampant about moving the offices out of Cooperstown but nothing has changed yet.

One current employee for NYS&W has been with the DO for many years. At one point in his early career, he had a neat story that he had all worked the four lines (LASB. CNY, CACV, FJG) in a very short time period, I believe even in a day or two.

I know more, but that's a start. Email me off list if you want some more information Kurt!

Joshua
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