CHENANGO COUNTY – The New York Susquehanna & Western Railway announced its intention to discontinue rail service through Chenango County in a legal notice late last week.

The notice announced that the Cooperstown-based railroad intends to file for an exemption with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board which will relieve them of their obligation to provide service along the line.

According to NYS&W media spokesperson Melanie Boyer, the legal notice is just a formality.

“This is not an abandonment procedure,” said Boyer. “This is a legal requirement for a line not in service.”

The track in question, a 41.02 mile stretch from Chenango Forks to Sherburne, has been out of service since it was damaged by heavy flooding in June 2006.