Dana Pohl stands on the rear entrance steps of his Vernon station. This is the only surviving depot built by the NYWS&BRy between Utica and Syracuse. It is a standard depot whose unique element is the 2nd floor telegraph operator's office and room. The mainline trackage had been on the far side of the building.

Vernon station, Stop 16

Insulating Blocks

Above- Insulating blocks were important elements in the construction and operation of the ORCo’s 3rd rail line. Their purpose was twofold: 1- To secure the live 3rd rail to the tie mounted cast iron brackets and, 2- To prevent the electricity from traveling from the 3rd rail into the bracket. A pair of insulating blocks (right, above) were required to encase the bull head (doubleheaded) 3rd rail. Because they were made of fired porcelain (by the Ohio Brass Company) they were not universally salvaged during the 3rd rail’s scrapping process. It is still possible to discover and harvest “nesting insulating blocks,” such as the ones shown above at left, along the now abandoned right-of-way of the railroad. Some stretches of the line are devoid of blocks; in other areas they are quite numerous.

Sub-stations

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Of the four ORCo power sub-stations, two survive today – number 2 (Vernon) and number 4 (Minoa). Of these two, Vernon is the better preserved. It is shown here still sitting astride of New York State Route 5, the old Yellowstone Trail, where modern motor vehicles frequently pass it by. The interurban cars passed the facility within the grassy area between the roadway and building, which is currently a possession of the Oneida Indian Nation.