Below are a series of newspaper and magazine articles about the conversion of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad from broad gauge to standard gauge.
A survey is now being made for a short line to connect the Utica Division at or near Earlville, N.Y., with the Utica, Clinton & Binghamton road at or near Smith’s Valley. The latter road is now also worked by this company, and, with the proposed connection, will make a line from Earlville to Utica some five miles shorter than that of the Utica Division.
The condition of the Utica, Clinton & Binghamton road has been very much improved since it was given up by the Midland and the road otherwise put in better order.
On the Utica Division the standard gauge rails have been laid for 16 miles, being put down inside the present six-feet gauge rails. Other preparations for the change of gauge are being hurried forward. It is said that the change will probably be made May 27.
Source: Railroad Gazette, P. 223, May 19, 1876
Narrowing Down.
The Change of Gauge of the D.L. & W. Railroad.
Yesterday the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company commenced earnest work in changing the gauge on its entire line. Preparation had been made beforehand for this work. the gauge, which has heretofore been 6 feet, is to be reduced to 4 feet 8 1/2 inches, a difference of 15 1/2 inches. Workmen have been over the entire route, and set spikes for the new gauge, moving those for each rail 7 3/4 inches nearer the center. The work now in progress is simply moving the tracks up to the spikes and setting another row to bind them in place. Yesterday the work was confined to the Richfield Springs branch. The change was effected as far as Bridgewater, and fifty men are at work today completing the change from Bridgewater to Richfield Junction. This will be completed so that the 4:50 train will leave this city for the Springs as usual this afternoon.
On The Main Line.
At 5:40 this morning a train arrived from Binghamton over the broad gauge. It contained the last six feet gauge cars that will probably ever run over this line. At this moment the workmen at the D.L.& W.’s shops in this city are engaged in putting narrow trucks under them. Five engines stood on the track here, waiting for their new running gear. They will be all transmuted into narrow gaugers today.
Assistant Superintendent Christman is hard at work. He left this city this morning with a special train. He has borrowed experienced workmen from the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg, Utica & Black River, and Albany & Susquehanna Railroads, and has between 600 and 1,000 men at work today. It is expected that the work will be completed by tonight. If so, it will be due in a great measure to the indefatigable energy of Supt. Christman, who has worked like a hero in making preparations for the change, and is at work today with no intermission of zeal.
Source: Utica Observer, Sat., May 27, 1876
The D.L. & W. The Change of Gauge Successfully Completed – Trains Running.
Saturday the change of gauge from Binghamton to this city, on the main line of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, was successfully accomplished. It was a big undertaking. From this city to Binghamton, by the road, is 95 miles.
To change the track in one day, 630 men were employed, or an average of between six and seven men per mile. As far as was possible experienced hands were engaged from the Black River, Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg and Delaware & Hudson Railroads. They worked willingly and well. Their day commenced early and ended late. Supt. Christman and party did not reach this city until 12:30 A.M. Sunday. They came in, as they started out, on a narrow gauge train.
Today the trains on this road are running on time, and the prospects are that they will continue to so so. the track is reported in first-rate condition.
Source: Utica Daily Observer, Monday, May 29, 1876