Where iron ore trains once thundered through, all that is now left is solitude and this bridge abutment belonging to the Sterling Mountain RR. This obscure little pike was constructed in the late 1800's to serve a group of iron mines around Sterling Lake, located in southern Orange County, New York. The line was approximately 7 miles in length and connected with the Erie Railroad at Sterlington, NY (located about half a mile south of Sloatsburg). The Sterling Mountain RR was abandoned in 1920. However, the tracks were not torn up until 1963, since there was persistent consideration to reopening the mines - especially during WWII. The area's gritty mining history is in sharp contrast to today's multi-million dollar homes and gated entrances that have overspread the area.

Photographed by Rich Kugel, February 9, 2008.
Added to the photo archive by Rich Kugel, February 13, 2008.
Railroad: Erie RR.

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