Moodna Viaduct

The Moodna Viaduct is an iron railroad trestle spanning Moodna Creek and its valley at the north end of Schunemunk Mountain in Cornwall, New York, near the village of Salisbury Mills.

Moodna Viaduct
A Metro-North Port Jervis Line train crossing the Moodna.
Coordinates41°25′49″N 74°05′57″W
Carries1 track of Norfolk Southern's Southern Tier Line
CrossesMoodna Creek
LocaleSalisbury Mills, New York
Maintained byMetro-North Railroad
(owned by Norfolk Southern)
Characteristics
DesignTrestle
Total length3,200 feet (980 m)
Clearance below193 feet (59 m)
History
OpenedJanuary 1909
Location

Significance

The bridge was constructed between 1906 and 1909 by the Erie Railroad as part of the Graham Line freight bypass and was opened for service in January of 1909. The trestle spans the valley for 3,200 feet (975 m) and is 193 feet (59 m) high at its highest point, making it the highest and longest railroad trestle east of the Mississippi River. Apart from the valley below, the viaduct crosses two roads (Otterkill Rd. and Orrs Mills Rd.), the Moodna Creek, and the Erie Railroad's now-abandoned Newburgh Branch. The open design of the trestle was used to reduce wind resistance and is a major reason why the trestle is still in service today.[1]

Current use

The viaduct carries Metro-North's Port Jervis commuter line and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The Metro-North Salisbury Mills–Cornwall station sits near the north end of the viaduct. In summer 2007, timber replacement on the viaduct caused delays on the line due to slow orders placed on it, and required that service be halted during weekend days.[2] As of October, 2009, repairs were underway to several of the concrete piers; traffic remains uninterrupted.

It is also a tourist attraction for the small town of Salisbury Mills. Two major roads cross under it, the major one is Orange County Route 94. The viaduct creates a spectacular landscape when viewed from the corner of Orrs Mills Road and Jackson Avenue outside of town, frequently photographed during fall foliage season.

The Moodna Viaduct appears as a prominent feature in the 2007 film Michael Clayton[3] and in the 2020 film The Half of It.[4]

A train crossing the viaduct from Orrs Mill Road to Jackson Avenue.
  • View point across the length of the Moodna Viaduct from one of the ends.
  • View from Moodna Viaduct looking east.

See also

References
  1. "Port Jervis line – Page 3 – I Ride The Harlem Line…". www.iridetheharlemline.com. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  2. Rife, Judy (July 24, 2007). "Moodna Viaduct repairs scheduled for this weekend". Times Herald-Record. Middletown. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  3. "Trivia for Michael Clayton (IMDB)". Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  4. "The Squahamish Town Filming Location: Where was The Half of It filmed?". Atlas of Wonders. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
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