O&W Commemorative Cache Traditional Cache
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Ziploc container
Cache is placed on the 3-mile Liberty O&W Rails-to-Trails. Cache is level with the trail and requires no hill climbing, and placed close to the trail proper.
The date of the placement of this cache (March 29) is not arbitrary—the New York, Ontario & Western Railway ceased operation on March 29, 1957. Thus, the placement of this cache commemorates the 55th anniversary of the “end of the line” for this once- proud railroad.
The location of this cache on this section of the Liberty Rail-to-Trails has significance as well: within a few yards of the location of this cache occurred the first fatal train wreck involving NYO&W employees.
On the morning of February 13, 1886, passenger train no. 6 was rolling south towards Liberty station under the competent hands of engineer George St. John. Within sight of Liberty station the train passed over a sand embankment undermined by water from a recent 36-hour rainstorm. The washout was a deceptive one, for a frozen crust of earth held up the tracks even though the sand below it had been scooped out by running water. When St. John’s engine hit this stretch, the track collapsed like an eggshell under the weight of the locomotive. The engine plunged wildly off the track and toppled into the mud below. The unfortunate St. John and his fireman, Allan Lewis were trapped in the engine cab and died there. This cache is placed in the memory of these two railroaders.
Access Liberty Rails-to-Trails from Route 52 West (Chestnut Street) with trail entrance and parking at N41 48.078 W074 45.543
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre gur ybt
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures