New York Railroad Archive

DL&W Cincinnatus Branch

Map showing the route of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Cincinnatus Branch. Author’s illustration.

The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W) Cincinnatus Branch ran 19 miles from Cortland to Cincinnatus, NY. It connected to the DL&W Syracuse Branch at Cortland Junction.

History

The Utica, Chenango and Cortland Railroad was incorporated on April 9, 1870 to construct a railroad from Cortland to Cincinnatus. It raised $259,000 in bond from the townships along the line and began grading the right-of-way, but progress was soon abandoned when the money ran out. On May 10, 1883 the company changed its name to the Erie and Central New York Railway.

In 1897, The Erie and Central New York Railway began laying the rails and the first passengers were carried on that same year. The railroad completed the line in 1898.

On May 28, 1902 the railroad was sold at foreclosure and purchased by the Erie and Central New York Railroad (note the change from “Railway” to “Railroad”).

On July 1, 1913 the DL&W leased the Erie and Central New York Railroad.

Timetable

1898: The Erie and Central New York Railway completed building and began operating the line.

1902: The Erie and Central New York Railroad succeeded the Erie and Central New York Railway.

1913: Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad leased and began operating the line.

1939: Passenger service was discontinued on January 16, 1939.

1960: The DL&W merged with the Erie Railroad to form the Erie Lackawanna Railroad.

1961: Abandonment was authorized on September 26, 1961 and operations were discontinued December 29, 1961.

Thanks to Richard Palmer who provided the abandonment information.

Stations

Cortland Station * Cortland Junction * McGraw * Maybury’s * Solon * East Freetown * White’s Mills * Gee Brook * Cincinnatus

Detailed Information
StationMile
Cortland Station
Cortland Junction
McGraw
Maybury’s
Solon
East Freetown
White’s Mills
Gee Brook
Cincinnatus		0
0.5
4.2
5.5
8.4
11.7
15.1
16.6
18.6
All mileage is measured from Cortland.

Operations

According to a timetable dated Oct. 12, 1897, there were four daily trains running from Cortland to Cincinnatus and four trains making the return trip to Cortland. In its heyday, which was about 1901, the Cincinnatus branch carried 29,756 fares for that year.

Clippings

Timetables