"Chasing A Ghost: O&W's Utica Division"

Pursuant to a liquidation order by a Federal bankruptcy court, the New York, Ontario & Western ceased operation on March 29, 1957. The O&W was thereafter almost completely abandoned.
Portions of the "Old & Weary" were saved, however, including some of its Utica Division in and around Utica, NY. These tracks were purchased by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western. Much of this trackage remains active today; it is operated by New York, Susquehanna & Western.
In this video, we take a trip, via drone, on the O&W from Utica's Union Station to Estates Drive, New Hartford, approximately 4.5 miles. Though overgrown, tracks remain in place approximately 1000' south of Estates Drive, parallel to the Yahnundasis Golf Course. A small earthen mound represents the point where the scrappers stopped pulling the rails in 1958.
My good friend, John Ivory, operated the drone. He did a fantastic job!
A GM Hopkins map of Utica dated 1883 was used to help determine where the O&W's right-of-way was in West Utica.
Also of enormous importance was the assistance received from Jack Coughlin, Doug Ellison and John Taibi.
Photo 1: Looking west from Union Station, we see the O&W (and DL&W) lead. Also note Bagg's Hotel (Jack Coughlin Collection)
Photo 2: O&W Utica Freighthouse (Jack Coughlin Collection).
Photo 3: O&W Utica Freighthouse with truck (Doug Ellison Collection).
Photo 4: Along the O&W, Water St, Utica (Jack Coughlin Collection).
Photo 5: Bridge 52 (Jack Coughlin Collection).
Photos 6 & 7 Bridge 50 (Jack Coughlin Collection)
Photo 8: Fay St Warehouse Implosion (Kurt Tupaj screenshot UA-cam video, "Fay St. Warehouse Implosion").
Photo 9: O&W engine, facing south, West Utica (Doug Ellison Collection).
Photo 10: Noyes Street, looking south (Jack Coughlin Collection).
Photos 11 & 12: O&W's Canal Branch Yard looking north (Jack Coughlin Collection).
Photo 13: Coal Tower, Canal Branch Yard (Jack Coughlin Collection)
Photo 14: Roundhouse, Canal Branch Yard (Jack Coughlin Collection).
Photo 15: O&W/West Shore Diamond, view looking north towards French Road (David Snyder Photo).