Some Putnam Division Memories

With the heavy traffic on Route 6 it's easy to lament the demise of the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. It's hard to believe that Mahopac had 5 train stations at one time. Many of us enjoy the North Country Trail Way, but few know what things looked like 50 years ago.

Photo by the late Frank Schlegal.

Copyright: Glenn L. Rowe

This photo came with this caption:  New York Central RR Putnam Division Lake Mahopac Junction with Harlem branch train with RS-3 #8323 scheduled to go ahead of the Putnam Division train. Both trains will couple together for the trip to Brewster, with the Putnam train uncoupling at the Putnam Jct. Yard in Brewster. Photo was taken in March 1958.

I think this photo was taken just south of the  "Harlem Crossing" at Buckshollow Road.

This New York Central Timetable from 1957, gives an idea of what train travel costs were at the time. A one way ticket to Grand Central was a paltry $2.10.

Here a Putnam Division train glides into the Carmel Station. Lake Gleneida is on the left. Maybe it did snow more when we were kids. This image was taken in March 1958.

Photo by the late Frank Schlegal.
Copyright: Glenn L. Rowe

The Putnam Branch terminated at the Brewster Station. There sure are a lot of people taking a photo of this train. Men wearing fedoras and wooden low level platforms, things sure have changed.

Photo by the late Frank Schlegal.
Copyright: Glenn L. Rowe