WCDO Radio News

Last month, the Canadian Pacific Railway completed the sale to Norfolk Southern of more than 280 miles of track from Schenectady, through the Southern Tier to Sunbury, Pennsylvania. The sale meant that Canadian Pacific ceased rail operations on that corridor as of September 18th, it also means that the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will not operate on that line in the communities formerly visited by the Train, Canadian Pacific announced that they will make 1 final donation to the food pantries affected by the sale in the southern tier this year.

An accident in Otego on Sunday afternoon has left a Delaware County man dead and his wife severely injured. Otego Fire Department officials reported that the man and woman involved were apparently trying to drive a golf cart across the railroad tracks on a private agricultural crossing at the east end of the village and struck the Canadian Pacific train. The 2-engine train was pulling 31 freight cars. Oneonta State Police said that 57-year old Charles Turk of Bloomville was found dead under the overturned golf cart. His wife 58-year old Cynthia Turk was found lying nearby with 2 broken legs. Mrs. Turk was airlifted to Albany Medical Center. The investigation is continuing. She is listed in serious but stable condition at this time. The couple had been camping near the railroad tracks over the weekend. Medical personnel from Otego Fire and Rescue squads as well as Cooperstown Medical Transport, Otsego deputies and State Police all reported to the scene of the crash.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will pass through the region today. The train will make a stop in Oneonta at the Gas Avenue crossing at 1:00 PM. entertainment will be provided by Tracey Brown and the Holiday Train band.

An estimated 1500 people turned up to greet the Canadian Pacific Holiday train in Binghamton last night. The train made its way to Oneonta this afternoon, where those that turned up were entertained, and left donations for area food banks.

A worker for Canadian Pacific Railway came in contact with a power line and was electrocuted on Monday. 39 year old Thomas F. Tarchak of Simpson Pennsylvania was among a group of four workers inspecting a steel railroad bridge running over Route 235 in Harpursville when the inspection bucket he was in came into contact with the bridge and a NYSEG power line. The lift truck was still energized when emergency responders arrived at the scene. NYSEG had to cut power before the man's body could be recovered. Route 235 between Route 7 and Davey Road was shut down during the response to the accident.

Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train will roll through the region on Wednesday, collecting donations for local food pantries while providing live entertainment at each stop. The train will be decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights starts the trip in Quebec on Today and makes its first U.S. stop the Wednesday night at the Steamtown Railroad Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The train then heads north to Binghamton for an appearance at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, followed by stops Thursday in Oneonta, & Cobleskill, the train continues east & then north Friday.