The following description of the railroads is from a 1912 book on the history of Arcade, NY.
In the early part of the year 1852 stock was subscribed along a proposed route by which the villages of Arcade and Attica were to be connected by rail. The roadbeds, culverts, etc., were completed in 1853 and part of the rails laid but before this work was finished the money raised had been exhausted and the project was abandoned.
In 1870 interest was again aroused and an endeavor made to complete a work begun 18 years before; but not until May, 1881 did trains run into the village. The mail car came over the road for the first time May 16, 1881. This was called the Tonawanda Valley Railroad Extension Company and the directors were:
R. G. Taylor, W. S. Bissell, Buffalo; R. H. Farnham, R. S. Stevens, C. S. Thomson, James H. Loomis, L. R. Vincent, J. V. D. Loomis, Attica; G. R. Blanchard, B. W. Spencer, E. S. Bowen, J. D. Fish, New York. Mr. Taylor was President and J. V. D. Loomis, Supt.
The small house on the Botsford place near the bridge on Water street was the first depot and W. W. Wade was the first agent. In December, 188l the road was completed to Main street and the trains ran into the depot regularly. This depot was called the “Railroad Block,” having been named thirty years before. On the 18th day of July, 1892, the road was completed to Sandusky. In September, 1882, the road was completed and Cuba and Attica were united by rail and three regular trains were running each way daily.
After a twelve years struggle the company suspended operations in April of 1895, and in July of the same year the present B. A. & A. was doing business, Eventually the road came into possession of the Goodyears and in May, 1910, H. D. Hathaway became superintendent. Since that date there has been expended upwards of $40,000 for improvements, and by untiring energy, caution and judgment this pioneer railroad after sixty years of struggle has became one of Arcade’s most valuable assets. This road makes good connections for Batavia, Warsaw, Hornell and Rochester and all points east, also for Buffalo and all points west.
About 1870, Arcade was bonded for $50,000 to aid in the construction of a railroad known as the Washington Railroad Company, later it was re-organized and called the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad. It has since been taken over by the powerful Pennsylvania system under which it is now being operated, giving much toward the pleasure and profit of our citizens.
There are four passenger trains daily in each direction on this road that stop at this station, which lies one and one-quarter miles west of the village. A first-class Bus system is operated between the village and the station meeting all trains and handling the consignments of the Adams express. This road is a direct line to Buffalo, Washington and Philadelphia.
In March of 1881 the railroad prospects for Arcade indeed looked bright, for with two that were certainties there was still another strongly talked by which Williamsport and Arcade were to be connected. Such line to run to Pine Creek, Wellsville, Belmont, Belfast, Caneadea, Rushford, Farmersville, Freedom and Arcade; but the time was not ripe for this project, for it was 25 years later when as a reward for patient waiting the Buffalo and Susquehanna Railway came over practically the same route from Wellsville, connecting Arcade with Buffalo on the north and Wellsville and Galeton on the south.
These roads have a good roadbed, first-class equipment, gentlemanly and courteous employees, and it will readily be seen that with eighteen passenger trains daily and fine facilities for shipping and receiving good’s from all four points of the compass that Arcade leads, not only the county but is unsurpassed in the state for railroad facilities for a town of its size. At the B. & S. is the American express and at the P. R. R. is the Adams express ofices.
With agents W. G. Conschafter at the P. R. R.; R. D. Coyle at the B. & S., and C. B. VanTuyl at the B. A. & A., our service is perÃect.
Source: Hodge, D. G. 1912. “Arcade, New York 1912”. Library of Congress collection