The "Green Bridge" over CP282 and the east side of DeWitt Yard

The "Green Bridge" is a nickname for a pedestrian bridge in Minoa, New York. The bridge crosses over the eastern edge of CSX's DeWitt Yard and Syracuse Terminal Subdivision between North Main Street and South Main Street. There is no road crossing connecting the two streets, so the bridge allows pedestrians to cross safely over the tracks. It also gives railfans access to safely watch and photograph train movements on the eastern end of DeWitt Yard. 

The "Green Bridge" at CP282

Looking at the north access ramp, as an ex-Wisconsin Central boxcar on train Q626-06 begins to roll under the Green Bridge.

The Green Bridge earned its nickname because it is painted green. Though these days, the green color is faded, and reddish-brown rust seems to be more prominent. The bridge crosses directly over the top of control point (CP) 282 of CSX's Syracuse Terminal Subdivision. The bridge is a popular railfan hangout, even though the bridge can make photography difficult.

Looking north through the "Green Bridge."

Three things make photography difficult from the Green Bridge, but not impossible. First, the bridge has chain-link fencing. Second, there are power lines that cross over the tracks seventy feet to the west. Third, the Costello Parkway bridge sits approximately two hundred feet east, limiting the view to the east. By crouching down close to the bridge's deck photographs can be captured without the power lines. Working around the obstacles of the Green Bridge one can capture interesting views of DeWitt Yard's eastern end as well as the Syracuse Terminal Subdivision.

CN 2830 and CN 3115 (westbound) take the switch from Track 1 to the Departure/Outbound Lead. North Runner (foreground) and the Local Yard Drill track come off of Track 4 here.

CP282 of the Syracuse Terminal Subdivision

CP282 is a control point on CSX's Syracuse Terminal Subdivision (STS). It is at milepost (MP) 282.5 of the STS and sits on the eastern edge of DeWitt Yard. The CP is controlled by CSX's NF dispatcher in Jacksonville, Florida. Originally, when the CP was installed in 2007, it was part CSX's Mohawk Subdivision. The STS was created from the western end of the Mohawk Subdivision in January 2011.

Q212-22, led by CN 3115, is on Track 1, just west of CP 282's eastward absolute signal. 

Trains are working on the Departure Lead (right) and North Drill Lead (far right).

CP282 is a "semi" CP. This is because only Track 1 has a connection to the rail yard. Track 2 runs straight through and doesn't have connections to any other tracks. An intermediate/automatic block signal governs Track 2. For westbound trains, the default aspect for the automatic block signal is yellow over red, meaning approach.

CN 3115 and CN 2830 have cut off from Q212 and are running lite into DeWitt Yard from CP282.

To the east of CP282 and the Green Bridge, Track 2 (southernmost), Track 1 (middle), and Track 4 (northernmost) parallel one another along Saintsville Road. The block signal (left of the photo below) at MP QC282.3 governs eastbound movements on Track 4. It is approximately 1,900 feet east of the Green Bridge. Just over a mile further to the east are CP280 and Auto 280 (MP QC280.5). CP280 controls Track 4, and Auto 280 governs Track 1 and Track 2.

An eastward view from the south ramp of the Green Bridge. The block signal (left) is CP PL and controls Track 4's End-of-Block. In the distance priority intermodal train I001-02 is westbound on Track 2, nearing Auto 280 and CP280.

Add-A-Block and Departure Lead

CP282 allows trains to enter or depart DeWitt Yard using Track 1 and access the Add-A-Block and Departure Lead tracks without blocking Track 4. This allows Track 4 to serve as a switching lead for the North Runner and Local Yard. Since CP282's installation in 2007, two trains can work the eastern end of the yard at the same time.

CSXT 908 leads Q626-08 east on Add-A-Block toward CP282. The distant signals are CP283.

The Add-A-Block track runs between CP283 and the Departure Lead near CP282. On the western end at CP283 it connects with a controlled siding on the northside of the STS's Track 1. Track 2 of the STS is the southernmost track. 

I159 has entered the yard via CP282 from Track 1 and is westbound on the Departure Lead.

On the east end it joins the Departure Lead and runs to Track 4, with a connection to Track 1 via CP282. The Departure Lead comes out of the eastern end of the Departure Yard near the yard tower. on the south side of the North Drill Lead and South Drill Lead. The Departure Yard sits north of the Add-A-Block and controlled siding, and south of the Classification Yard.

North Drill Lead and South Drill Lead

CSXT 8249 is using the North Drill Lead to "drill" cars in the classification yard. A snowblower (left) is working to clear switches where the Departure Lead connects with the South Drill Track.

To the north of the Departure Lead are the North Drill Lead and South Drill Lead. These tracks are used for the classification yard, where engines will "drill" sets of cars. The term "drill" is used to describe sets of cars being pulled and shoved during switching operations. 

MoW work is underway on the North Drill Lead in this view from the northern ramps of the Green Bridge.

North Runner and Local Yard Drill track

Q367-09 arrives at DeWitt Yard from Track 4 and is heading west on the North Runner Track.

As the name implies, the North Runner track runs along the northern edge of the rail yard. It is often used by trains that need to set out or pick up a cut of cars. Often the cars set out or picked up come from the Local Yard. The North Runner runs along the entire north side of the rail yard from near CP282 to CP286.

CSXT 4089 is pulling a string of cars from the Local Yard and onto the Local Yard Drill track. The string of flatcars with green trash containers are sitting on the North Runner.

The Local Yard Drill track diverges from the North Runner and heads to Local Yard. Local Yard sits between the North Runner and the classification yard. The west end of Local Yard is at Freemont Road bridge.

A ground-level view of CSXT 4089 and CSXT 8842 on the Local Yard Drill track.

1. First photograph taken on November 7, 2021.
2. Second photograph taken on May 7, 2022.
3. Third photograph taken on April 27, 2022.
4. Fourth photograph taken on April 22, 2022.
5. Fifth photograph taken on April 22, 2022.
6. Sixth photograph taken on November 2, 2021.
7. Seventh photograph taken on February 9, 2022.
8. Eighth photograph taken on January 19, 2022.
9. Ninth and eleventh photographs taken on February 9, 2022.
10. Tenth photograph taken on November 2, 2021.
11. Twelfth and Thirteenth photographs taken on January 19, 2022.

Post updated on July 18, 2022, with information on CP PL.