The Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway and Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad operated a number of lines in Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania between 1871 and 1887.
History
Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway
The Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway was formed on April 12th, 1871 when the Buffalo and Washington Railway company changed its name.
During its explosive growth-by-acquisition phase, the BNY&P purchased, leased or acquired a number of companies. On December 8, 1881 it leased the:
- Genesee Valley Canal Railroad. This 98 mile long railroad was formed in July 1880 and ran from Rochester to Mill Grove (Hinsdale), NY. The line was completed in October 1882. Its name reflects the fact that it was built along the abandoned Genesee Valley Canal.
- Rochester, New York and Pennsylvania Railroad. This company was formed on February 15, 1881 by the merger of the Rochester, New York and Pennsylvania Railroad, and the Rochester, Nunda and Pittsburgh Railroad Company.
- Olean, Bradford and Warren Railroad. This company was established in 1877 in New York State to build a 10 mile long narrow-gauge railroad from a connection with the BNY&P in Olean southwesterly through the towns of Olean and Allegany to a point on the State line between the New York and Pennsylvania. A sister company was formed in Pennsylvania to build the line from the connection with the New York company to Bradford.
- The McKean and Buffalo Railroad, Kendall and Eldred Railroad, Bradford Railway, and Kinzua Railway in Pennsylvania.
On December 30, 1882, the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway merged with the:
- Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Western Railroad – a narrow-gauge railroad operating in New York State between Clymer and Buffalo and between Kinzua and Salamanca. The two lines connected via Oil City, PA.
- Olean and Salamanca Railroad – This company was organized on October 21, 1882 and had the charter to build a road between the two cities, but had not constructed anything.
- Oil City and Chicago Railroad – a railroad in Pennsylvania.
Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad
With the merger, the name of the company was changed to the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad Company and this company was officially registered on February 14, 1883.
The Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad built the line between Olean and Salamanca and connected with the Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Western Railroad.
The railroad organized and leased the Union Terminal Railroad Company of the City of Buffalo in 1884. This railroad operated seven miles of track in the city of Buffalo, NY.
The company was purchased in the winter of 1887/88 by the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railway which was, in turn, leased to the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1900.
Lines Operated
The Western New York and Pennsylvania operated five lines in New York State:
- The Hinsdale – Rochester Line in Cattaraugus, Allegany, Wyoming, Livingston, and Monroe Counties. This was the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad and was referred to as the railroad’s “Rochester Division.”
- The Buffalo – Emporium, PA Line in Cattaraugus, Wyoming, and Erie Counties. This was the railroad’s “Buffalo Division.”
- The Buffalo – Corry, PA Line in Chautauqua and Erie Counties. This was the railroad’s “Pittsburgh Division.”
- The Olean and Salamanca Line in Cattaraugus County. This was the railroad’s “River Division.”
- The Narrow-Gauge Railroads in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. This was the railroad’s “Narrow-Gauge Division.”
See each of these lines for a list of stations, connections, and other information.
Clippings
Locomotives
Timetables
Other Interesting Things
Learn More
- Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway. April 1883. Brief of Title, Leases, Agreements, Mortgage, & C., Philadelphia, PA.
- Kilmer, Lawrence W. 1993. Bradford & Foster Brook Peg Leg Railroad. Interlaken, NY. Note: This book also covers the St. Bonaventure Railroad, Olean-Bradford Traction System, South Vandalia and State Line R.R., and the Olean – Bradford & Warren Narrow Gauge.