The Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad

Three L&HR C420 diesels are serviced at the railroad's

Warwick, NY
facility in the late 1960's. Photo by Jay Mikesh

The Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad was
chartered in 1881, and underwent a process of merger and consolidation typical
of the short rail lines of the time, directed by Grinnell Burt and his
associates. Their leadership in these acquisitions and deals resulted in the
LH&R becoming the best link between the western and New England states. Freight revenues for iron, coal, zinc, and
milk rose dramatically and was the LH&R became attractive that its shares
were snapped up by the great railroad bosses of the day.

Passenger time to New
York City went
from nearly eight hours by horse carriage to under four hours in the early
1880's, making it possible for affluent and influential New Yorkers to
establish homes here and still maintain essential ties to the big city. By the
late 1960's however, the balance tipped in the favor of trucking freight on new
highways, and upheavals within other rail lines resulted in increasing deficits
in revenue.

In 1972, the LH&R was forced to declare bankruptcy. After being controlled
in an increasingly competetive, difficult, and volitile transportation environment by Conrail for years
the Warwick-based company was finally dissolved in 1982. The freight trains
that run through Warwick today serve few of the local
businesses, but provide property tax revenue and hold the possibility of future
revival of one of the economic cornerstones of the valley.

For more details on local railroads see:

History of Warwick New York by Richard Hull

Lehigh and Hudson River
Railroad Page

Marty Feldner's
L&H Scrapbook

Harper's
New York and Eric rail-road guide book online at the Making of America site

"Four Wheel Red Work Horse"--The LH&R Caboose
No. 81

Built in 1909, this small four wheeler truly was a
workhorse for many years. Equipped with four bunks, stove, desk and lamps, it
was home to the men who had to be away from their families for several days at
a time while working for the railroad. No. 81 was called into service at all
hours of the day or night, especially to help clear and rerail
freight and passenger cars that had derailed, and also to be part of
snowplowing operations. After more powerful diesel engines came to be used,
snow plowing was rarely necessary. In the later years of the railroad when it
came under the jurisdiction of Conrail, No. 81 still was a partner in essential
operations such as rail laying, providing shelter during storms and at the end
of the day's work. As the LH&R faced demise as an operating railroad,
Edmund H. Brown, Jr., then Vice-president of the line, learned of the impending
destruction of the caboose and he purchased it from the Trustee of the
LH&R. It was eventually deeded to the Historical Society and on May 14,
1979, No. 81 was placed on the property of the Shingle House. This important
and charming artifact of a way of life and an industry essential to
understanding Warwick's past has been preserved and maintained by the Society,
and has brought pleasure to many visitors ever since.

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