There is also a washout at Whaley Lake Stream, and large concrete blocks have been placed on either section of the unpassable track. In the summer highrail vehicles usually come out and spray for weeds so the line doesn’t become totally overgrown, but that is likely because of the fiberoptic cables you mentioned.

Various studies have been done over the years, but they all come to the conclusion that it is simply not worth it. The most promising one was to attempt to run shuttle service between Danbury and Southeast, but due to the nature of the track layout (a train crew would have to change ends after coming onto the Harlem above Dykemans, and building some type of wye would require taking over some wetlands near Ice Pond), not to mention all the upgrades that would be necessary, it was just deemed not economically worthwhile.