Albany and Susquehanna Railroad
| Company type | Railroad |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Defunct | 1945 |
| Fate | Leased by Delaware and Hudson Canal Company; absorbed into Delaware and Hudson Railroad |
| Headquarters | Albany, New York , United States |
| Products | Rail transport services |
The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad (A&S) was a broad gauge rail line that operated from 1851 until 1870, connecting Albany with Binghamton, New York. Eventually, it was leased by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company and later integrated into the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.
History
Work on the railroad commenced on April 19, 1851, starting from Albany and progressing toward Schoharie Junction, New York. This segment took 12 years to complete. By 1869, the track had been extended to reach Binghamton, bringing the total length to .
A&S vs. Erie railroad war
Although relatively small, A&S linked with four major railroads that provided routes southward to Pennsylvania’s coal fields. One of these was the Erie, under the control of financier Jay Gould, who aimed to acquire A&S in order to channel coal shipments into New England markets.
During the summer of 1869, Gould and Jim Fisk began purchasing shares in A&S to gain dominance. In response, A&S president Joseph H. Ramsey issued thousands of previously inactive shares to his allies and concealed company documents. Gould and Fisk countered by leveraging Judge George G. Barnard—who they influenced—to suspend Ramsey and orchestrate wrongful arrests of him and other company officials.
Ramsey appealed the decision to Albany judge Rufus W. Peckham, who issued an opposing ruling supporting Ramsey’s faction. In retaliation, Fisk led a group of hired men to seize control of A&S offices, trains, and stations along the route. The dispute escalated into violent clashes near Harpursville until intervention by state militia forces.
In September 1869, John Pierpont Morgan, who had arranged a $500,000 mortgage for A&S and was appointed as trustee, aligned himself with Ramsey’s side. Morgan quietly garnered shareholder backing and was elected vice-president and director at the company’s annual meeting. Despite attempts by Gould and Fisk to place their own board members in power, the New York State Supreme Court upheld Ramsey’s leadership.
On February 24, 1870, Morgan arranged a 99-year lease of A&S to the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, effectively removing it from independent competition.
The railroad was fully absorbed into the Delaware and Hudson Railroad on July 2, 1945.
In 2003, Canadian Pacific sought to abandon a branch line running from Voorheesville, New York to Albany; in response, Albany County filed for railbanking protection and acquired the corridor in 2009.
See also
Further reading