History

The Oswego and Syracuse Railroad connected its namesake cities in 1848 and the Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad connected those cities in 1854. In 1869, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad gained control of these companies as part of its plan to create a key north-south artery for it coal and other commodities.

Timeline of the Route

1848: The Oswego and Syracuse Railroad constructed the line between Oswego and Syracuse, NY.

1853: The Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad completed the 6-foor gauge line between Binghamton and Geddes, NY, just outside Syracuse.

1856: The Syracuse and Binghamton is sold at foreclosure on October 13, 1856 and purchased by the Syracuse Southern Railroad. The Union Railroad is chartered on December 4, 1856 to build a standard-gauge line 1.25 miles from Geddes to Syracuse.

1857: The Syracuse Southern was renamed as the Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railroad on March 31, 1857.

1858: The Union Railroad completes its line and was sold to the Syracuse, Binghamton and New York on August 12, 1858.

1869: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad gained control of both companies and began operating the line.

1949: Passenger service was discontinued from Syracuse to Oswego on February 13, 1949.

1958: Passenger service was discontinued between Syracuse and Binghamton on September 15, 1958.

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

1976: The Erie Lackawanna is merged with other Eastern railroads into the Consolidated Rail Company (Conrail) on April 1, 1976.

1978: Conrail sold the Fulton to Oswego (abandoned in 1976) section to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation for access to oil tank farm.

1982: The section between Binghamton and Jamesville was transferred to the New York, Susquehanna & Western (NYS&W) in April 1982. 

1995: The seven-mile section between Jamesville and Syracuse was transferred to the NYS&W in 1995.

Thanks to Richard Palmer who provided the abandonment information.

Stations

The Syracuse Branch of the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad served the following stations:

Binghamton * Chenango Bridge * Chenango Forks * Itaska * Whitney Point * Lisle * Killawog * Marathon * Messengerville * Cortland Junction * Cortland * Homer * Little York * Preble * Tully * Apulia * Onativia * Jamesville * Rock Cut * Syracuse * Solvay * Fairgrounds * Lakeside * Stiles * Baldwinsville * Lamsons * South Granby * Fulton * Minetto * Oswego 

More Details

Station	Mile
Binghamton Chenango Bridge Chenango Forks Itaska Whitney Point Lisle Killawog Marathon Messengerville Cortland Junction Cortland Homer Little York Preble Tully Apulia Onativia Jamesville Rock Cut Syracuse Solvay Fairgrounds Lakeside Stiles Baldwinsville Lamsons South Granby Fulton Minetto Oswego	0 5.2 11.1 16.5 20.4 22.6 26.2 29.2 33.1 42.5 43.0 45.6 49.9 52.7 57.3 60.0 65.1 72.7 76.0 79.4 82.0 86.0 83.3 86.3 91.4 96.0 99.6 103.4 109.9 114.5

The Syracuse Branch connected to the main line at Binghamton, the Utica Branch at Chenango Forks, and the Cincinnatus Branch at Cortland Junction.

Clippings

Timetables

More Information

• John W. Hudson II and  Suzanne C Hudson. 2001. Scenes along the rails : the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad’s Syracuse Division.