Abandoned?! The Shape of the Former Middletown & Unionville Railroad Mainline

Join us as we explore the long-abandoned former Middletown & Unionville Railroad, a once-important 13-mile line that connected Middletown, New York to Unionville, New York. Today, only a portion of the line remains, stretching to Slate Hill, New York—a quiet reminder of the region’s rich railroad and agricultural past. Along the way, we take a close look at what’s left of the line today—from lightly maintained track near Dolson Avenue outside downtown Middletown to heavily overgrown sections near McBride Road near Slate Hill, NY. Once a vital route serving farms, creameries, and local industry in the Black Dirt Region, the railroad helped move milk, grain, coal, and supplies to larger markets. We also explore key locations and industries that kept this line alive, including the former creamery site now operated by Balchem Corporation, and remnants like an abandoned switch in Slate Hill that likely once served local businesses. With service declining in the late 20th century and ending beyond a short segment by the 2010s, this line has since fallen quiet. From active transload operations on the Middletown and New Jersey Railroad to miles of dormant rail, this is a look at what remains—and what once was—on a forgotten piece of Orange County railroading history. #Railfanning #AbandonedRailroad #MiddletownAndNewJersey #MiddletownUnionville #SlateHillNY #OrangeCountyNY #RailroadHistory #ShortlineRailroad #ForgottenRailroads #NortheastRailroading #IndustrialHistory #AmericanRailroads #RailExploration #RailroadDocumentary #HiddenHistory