The primary reason for the existence of Conrails Ithaca Branch was the NYSEG plant at Milliken, and Cargill Salt, both of which were north of town along Cayuga Lake. When they went to either of these customers, they had some streetside running to get through town. The coal trains would run about 90 cars, and often there would be a pick up at Cargill that added another 30 cars or so. It really tied things up when a train came. An overpass has been built since this photo, really improving the access when a train is in town. |