The Olean, Rock City and Bradford Railroad was an electric railroad that connected the cities of Olean, NY and Bradford, PA between 1897 and 1906. 11 miles of the track was in New York State and 6.5 miles were in Pennsylvania. It also operated over one mile of tracks of the Olean Street Railway in Olean and 1.25 miles of track of the Bradford Electric Street Railway in Bradford, PA.
History
The Olean, Rock City and Bradford followed the route of the former Olean, Bradford and Warren Railroad, a steam-powered railroad that operated between Olean and Bradford between 1887 and 1896. A 1945 history of the Pennsylvania Railroad system stated that: “The operation of the line from near Hanley Street, Olean, to the Pennsylvania-New York State Line, 11.23 miles, was discontinued in August 1896 and the track sold to Olean, Rock City and Bradford Electric Railroad Company in 1897.”
The railroad was formed on June 12, 1897 from the consolidation of the Olean, Rock City and Bradford Railroad chartered in Pennsylvania and the Olean, Rock City and Bradford Railroad chartered in New York state. It ran 20 miles between Olean and Bradford.
A 1900 report of the line noted that the company had relocated the route between Olean and Rock City away from the route used by the Olean, Bradford and Warren Railroad.
The company went through a rapid series of corporate changes in 1906. On February 21 , 1906 , Mr. William E. Burdick , of Bradford , PA, was appointed receiver of the property, and on June 17 , 1906 , the property was sold to Mr. William L. Marcy. As of July 1 , 1906, the property in the State of New York was transferred to the Rock City Railroad Company. This new company was registered with the New York Secretary of State on August 4, 1906.
On November 14 the Bradford Street Railroad Company was formed. On the same day the Rock City Railroad and Olean Street Railway consolidated under the name of the Olean Street Railway.
Three days later, on November 17, 1906, the Bradford Street Railroad Company and Olean Street Railway Company merged to form the Western New York and Pennsylvania Traction Company.
Clippings
Other Photographs
Learn More
- CPTBA Wiki. “Western New York and Pennsylvania Traction Company“
- Wilkins, John Dean. “Trolleys of the Oil Rich Enchanted Mountains”