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tunnel site. The tunnel was not completed at this time, so passengers were transported over the mountain by "transfer coaches" to Wurtsboro (Later called Manakating). Here, the railroad resumed again. After what was then called Wurtsboro cane Summitville (then a flag stop); Sandburgh (later Mountaindale) and finally Centerville. The branch to Ellenville began at Suminitville. The first station on the branch was Phillipsport, followed by Homowack, a flag stop (later known as Spring Glen); and then Ellenville, at the time the end of the branch. Middletown's first Midland station agent was J.L. Hunt. Prom Middletown, passengers were taken to the Erie's depot on James Street to proceed to New York, if desired.
President Littlejohn, having sold Middletown his railroad, attempted to have them purchase the privilege of locating the shops here by bonding themselves for an increased sum. There arose, in early March, such sentiment against this, the matter was not pursued. On September 18, 1871, work crews from the east and west portal finally met each other in the tunnel at Bloomingburgh. The length of the tunnel was reported to be 3,869 feet. Stephens, Bennett & Co., of Oneida (NY) were the contractors.
To reach New York City, the Middletown, Unionville & Water Gap Railroad (M & U) which ran between Middletown and Unionville was leased. A separate company, the New Jersey Midland, had been organized and was building from Unionville south through New Jersey. As the M & 0 was built to Erie's 6 foot track gauge, on November 13, 1871, the Midland began laying a third track so it could be used by their standard gauge equipment.
- The first train ran through the Shawangunk Tunnel January 24, 1872. This was a special train, not a regularly scheduled one. Leaving Middletown at 11:35 AM, it reached the tunnel at noon, entered a few minutes later, then proceeded to Liberty Falls. Liberty Falls was not the old name for Liberty, but for Ferndale. The train returned to Middletown later in the day "without any accidents or disappointment whatever." It took six minutes to travel through the tunnel.
Regular service to Ferndale began February 1, 1872. Service continued on the Ellenville Branch. Also shown on the timetable was service on the Crawford Branch. This had been built to Pine Bush by a separate company which was leased by the Midland. They had started running one train each way on December 14, 1871, but, effective February 1st, they ran two trains each way. With the opening of regular service to Ferndale, a celebration was held at Ellenville, where the train was greeted with a brass band and cannon fire. Many passengers were frightened of the tunnel, as reported in the Evening Press: "There was considerable trepidation ainong the excursionists, a good many entering its dark and gloomy portals with fear and trembling.... At one point, midway in the tunnel, where a considerable quantity of water comes pouring down from overhead, some of the passengers were