Portland - Cobalt Undeveloped Section - Gallery 1
The section of the Airline Railroad line from Portland to East Hampton center is not yet developed, but there is interest in grading the rail bed and improving drainage. Part of rail line is used as a right of way for electric distribution lines from Connecticut Light and Power. About three quarters of a mile of the railroad is active, from the swing bridge on the Connecticut River to Route 66 in Portland.
The railroad passed over Middle Haddam Road in Portland on this stone arch bridge built in 1873. The arch spans 28’ and rises 22’ and is constructed of closely fitted granite blocks. Wing walls are at different angles to the bridge axis due to the large skew between the track and road. The north wing walls and top courses on the north side of the bridge were re-built in brownstone. (5/2002)
The railroad passed beneath Route 66 in East Hampton and heads west toward Portland. The trail is very wet at this point, and a stream can be seen running down the center of the rail bed. Electric distribution poles are also located on the rail line. (5/2002)
This is the swing bridge over the Connecticut River between Middletown and Portland. The center span pivots to allow maritime traffic to pass by. This view is from the north side of the bridge (5/2002)
This is another view of the Connecticut River swing bridge, looking from the south. Behind the bridge can be seen part of the Arragoni Bridge, a huge structure that dwarfs the swing bridge. The Arragoni Bridge carries traffic to and from Middletown and Portland over the river. Ironically, it is the only suspension bridge in the state of Connecticut, and lies about a mile north of where the state assembly in 1847 ordered a rail road suspension bridge to be built rather than this swing bridge. (5/2002)
This is the same stone bridge as the first photo, but now it is blanketed in an unusually heavy November snow. Scenes like this make one wonder what it was like when the Ghost Train would speed over the bridge in the late 1800s. (11/2002)
An unnamed stream is carried under the Air Line by the unique tunnel in Portland. (12/2002)
This is another stone arch bridge on the Portland-Cobalt section. This bridge is huge, about 25' tall by 30' wide and is approximately 75' long. It is located near the intersections of Middle Haddam Road and Depot Hill Road in East Hampton, and the Great Hill Pond Brook flows through the arch. There is also a stone paved road on the right side of the arch, wide enough for small vehicles or horse drawn wagons. This view is from the north side of the Air Line. (12/2002)
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Page Last Updated: August 3, 2003