On Appreciating What You Have. On August 4, 2019, CSX Train L003-04 passed through Fort Montgomery, New York with CSXT 3205 (ES44AC-H, GE) leading. This area near the Bear Mountain Bridge saw its first railroad tracks laid by the West Shore Railroad in the 1880s, and a passenger station was constructed in 1883 near what is today the Mine Dock Road Crossing. While today at Mine Dock Park there are only remains of the busy iron ore loading facilities near the railroad crossing, this was once a busy location for loading ships and trains from the Forest of Dean Mine, located about 5 miles west. After brief struggle over ownership, the West Shore Railroad became part of the New York Central, later Penn Central, Conrail, and is today's CSX River Sub. The mine closed in 1942 and the area lost its industrial significance. Eventually, the land would become today's park, operated by the Town Of Highlands. Amongst many improvements to the public park, benches and tables were installed, as well as the propellers from the "Peter F. Gellatly" (Robert M. Bayham and Sons Incorporated of Violet, Louisiana, 1968) were added to the base of the flag pole in September of 2019. This boat and sister "Mary Gellatly" evacuated over 8,000 people on September 11, 2001 from Manhattan to New Jersey. Torrential rains on Sunday, July 9, 2023 led to the road to the park being destroyed and the death of a local resident. Ultimately the road will be rebuilt and the park will reopen, but this brutal visit from mother nature should serve as a reminder about the things that we all take for granted.
