KINGSTON BRANCH

The Kingston (or Ellenville, if you prefer) Branch left the mainline at Summitville. This junction saw the tracks head not only north to Ellenville and Kingston but also south to Port Jervis and Monticello. Here we see the O&W's attempt at streamlining, or more properly, streamstyling, as the northbound Mountaineer Limited with light Class Y 4-8-2 #405, resplendent in maroon and orange, waits to leave the Summitville station. The station roof is seen over the combine and the Kingston Branch tracks are in the background heading off to the left.

A mile up the track, the tiny hamlet of Phillipsport sported this quaint depot near the falls. Postcard view courtesy George Shammas.

Just three miles north of the mainline was the hamlet of Spring Glen. Like most of the Catskill region, tourists were big business on the Kingston Branch. Many farmers and shopkeepers rented out rooms in their homes or built special guest facilities for the summer visitors. In Spring Glen, William Smith was not only the agent for the O&W but ran a tourist home as well. In this rare view, we can see the small addition to the house/store that constituted the O&W station in this small town.

Ellenville was the largest station between Summitville and Kingston. The station here was once the terminus of the branch. Later,a beautiful station was built which still exists, its beauty is hidden by additions that disguise its former glory. Below we see a presumably southbound mixed train pulled by a diamond-stacked locomotive running along the D&H Canal. Note the passenger car tacked on the rear of this train. (Second postcard card courtesy George Shammas)