Much of the former DL&W Sussex Branch between Stanhope and Branchville, NJ is now a public hiking trail. The section between Waterloo and Cranberry Lake is especially fascinating, since remnants of the Sussex Mine Railroad can also be seen. The Sussex Mine Railroad was built in 1850 and was one of the earliest railroads in New Jersey. It ran for about 8 miles from an iron mine in Andover, NJ to Waterloo, where the loads of iron ore were transferred to barges on the Morris Canal. Construction was very primitive and the line used mules for power. The Sussex Mine was only in operation for a few years before the DL&W purchased it and rebuilt it as the Sussex Branch. Regardless, traces of the Sussex Mine can still be found today as it criss-crosses the Sussex Branch. The Sussex Branch was built in the mid-1850's and prospered mainly hauling milk and other agricultural products. Passenger service ended in 1966 with complete abandonment around 1969. This view was taken at Jefferson Lake and is facing east. The photographer is standing on the Sussex Mine Railroad while the Sussex Branch can be seen to the left of the swamp. Photo taken on Sunday 12/19/2010.

Photographed by Rich Kugel, December 19, 2010.
Added to the photo archive by Rich Kugel, December 29, 2010.
Railroad: Delaware,Lackawanna,and Western.

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