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estimates. It was expected the final cost would be slightly higher, as all bills were not yet in, but it was not expected to go beyond $19,000 per mile.
After March 18, 1875, the road was no longer leased by the Midland, operating as an independent short line for a time. As of January 1, 1882, the road was leased to the Erie who eventually acquired the property.
For a time, the Erie maintained a station at Crawford Junction, with an operator on duty. The station stood at the crossing on Route 302, and was abandoned in 1907. In 1911, service on the branch was three trains each way, Monday through Saturday, with two each way on Sunday. Stations at that time were Middletown (James St.), East Main Street Erie station, Circleville, Bullville, Thompson Ridge, Vankeurens (a flag stop on what is now Van Keuren Ave., off 302 just outside Pine Bush), and Pine Bush. Except for Van Keurens, aín stations had assigned operators. Of course, as ridership declined, this practice was discontinued, and eventually the line was freight only. In the 1970s, towards the end of the Erie Lackawanna, the branch was serviced by the Middletown switcher two-to-three times a week. At this time, most of the cars were dropped at Pine Bush, with a rare car spotted at Bullville. The last station on the line, Pine Bush, was demolished by the railroad company for insurance reasons in June, 1974. The Bullville Station, by the way, still survives (1988). Around 1973, it was moved to private property next to a house on Goshen Turnpike outside of Circleville.
After Conrail took over the Erie's operation in 1976, they continued to operate the branch for a time. As outlined previously, the M& NJ had displayed some interest, but the price was unrealistic. The line was abandoned and ripped up in the summer of 1980.
ROADS NOT BUILT When "railroad fever" struck after the Civil War, many railroads were proposed, but never built, throughout the northeast. Middletown had its share of these, most of them being agitated in the early 1870's. One railroad went on being discussed for years but was never built. This was the Middletown & Newburgh, for which several routes were proposed. This road was proposed in 1865, and was still being promoted in 1872, possibly later. Leading citizens from both communities were involved in the project; it's somewhat curious the road wasn't constructed. Another road was proposed between Middletown and Greenville, with plans to eventually extend it to New Jersey. When the Midland was being planned, one route considered was to go through Greenwood Lake., The route was changed to make use of the MU & WG, but in late 1872, consideration was given to the Middletown & Greenwood Lake Railroad. The road would reach Greenwood Lake via Florida and Warwick. A meeting held at