In 1985, the Susquehanna completed the purchase of the former Lehigh and Hudson River main line between Sparta Junction, New Jersey, and Maybrook, New York. For the next year, the track was rehabilitated, with the goal of taking NYS&W trains off of the former Erie main line east of Campbell Hall, New York. The initial operation entailed running the trains into the remnants of the once-bustling Maybrook yard, and reversing direction to leave the same end of the yard on the opposite route (L&HR to Sparta Junction or Central New England to the Erie main at Campbell Hall). A direct connection from the Erie main line to the L&HR would later obviate this reverse move. Here, the very first through train to use the new route moves out of Maybrook on the former Lehigh and Hudson River. Today, thios trackage no longer exists, due to the construction of the new connection.
