New York Railroad Archive

Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley and Pittsburgh Railroad

One of the earliest railroad projects planned west of the Allegheny River was proposed by the people of Warren, PA to build a road north of that town following the valley of the Conewango Creek. A charter was granted by the state of Pennsylvania in 1832 or 1833, but the project never left the planning stage. In 1853 the project was revived by the people of Warren and 1700 shares of stock were subscribed to build the Warren Pine Grove Railroad.

The first effective move toward building this road was a meeting held in the summer of 1866 when the citizens of Sinclairville, led by the Hon. C. J. Allen, met to plan a railroad. Further meeting were held in Sinclairville, Dunkirk, and Fredonia and in early 1867 the Dunkirk, Warren and Pittsburgh Railroad was organized. An act of the New York State Legislature on April 23, 1867 authorized the company to issue stock and the towns along the route provided $238,000 in capital for the endeavor. On June 17, 1867 work began on the road as the route from Cassadaga Lake to Dunkirk was surveyed by Obed Edson. Grading for the road commenced on October 3, 1867 at Ross’ Mills. The road was graded between 1867 and 1869. Track was laid south from Dunkirk to Laona in 1870. By June 1, 1871 it had reached Sinclairville and by June 17, 1871 to Falconer. The first passenger train ran over the line on June 22, 1871.

On December 31, 1872, the Dunkirk, Warren and Pittsburgh Railroad Company combined with the Warren and Venango Railroad to form the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley and Pittsburgh Railroad. The company was leased to the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad on January 3, 1873 though it continued to operate under its own identity for many years. It was merged into the New York Central Railroad on December 23, 1914.

The New York Central removed the line from service between Falconer and Dunkirk in 1972 in the aftermath of Hurricane Agnes. The path of the old line is still visible from NY Route 60 between Jamestown and Dunkirk. According to Charles Woolever’s excellent “Existing Railroad Stations in New York” web site, the passenger and freight stations on Prospect Street in Fredonia are still standing. The line between Falconer and Warren, PA was abandoned with the formation of Conrail on April 1, 1976.

For a sense of the industries along the line, see this 1921 list of customers.

Stations in New York

The New York State portion of a 1929 map of the New York Central Railroad’s Valley Branch in the Erie Division. This was formerly the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley and Pittsburgh Railroad. canadasouthern.com.

Dunkirk * Fredonia * Laena (AKA Laona) * Nortons * Lakeside * Lily Dale * Cassadaga * Moons * Sinclairville * Vermont/Gerry * Ross’ Mill * Falconer * A. & G. W. Junction * Frewsburg * Fentonville

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