In order to eliminate the Lehigh Valley mainline between Geneva and Manchester, in 1978 a new connection was made with the former New York Central Auburn Road near Shortsville.
Lehigh Valley mainline bridge over the Auburn Road being demolished. Jack Tuttle of Manchester said this bridge "was one of my childhood playgrounds. Sitting on the stone base where the main girder was set while a train whizzed by overhead was a real, albeit scary, thrill."
This photo shows the progress of construction of the new alignment as well as demolition of the old Lehigh Valley bridge in September, 1978.
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In addition to photographing the Shortsville connection, Paul also got over to Batavia in order to shoot construction of the ex-NYC East Peanut/LVRR connection east of town. Construction was completed by late June, 1978. The final Buffalo-Batavia local via the former LVRR was made on June 29, 1978 and the connection was thereafter utilized by CR to service Batavia ex-LVRR customers. GVT continues to use the connection to serve one or two customers on the former LV.
Lehigh Valley bridge over the former New York Central "East Peanut" line in process of demolition in May, 1978. View eastward on the East Peanut line .
Preparing to install the connection switch June 22, 1978. New track to left is on
the ramp up to the former LVRR. East bridge abutment on right. This remained intact for several years but has since been removed.
