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Atlantic and Great Western Railroad

From Alfawiki
Atlantic and Great Western Railroad
Company typeRailroad company
IndustryRail transport
PredecessorErie and New York City Railroad, Meadville Railroad, Franklin and Warren Railroad
Founded1853
Defunct1880
FateForeclosure and reorganization as New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad
Headquarters
Meadville
,
United States
Area served
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio
Key people
William Reynolds (president), Marvin Kent, Worthy S. Streator, John Dick, A. F. Allen, Thomas W. Kennard, Robert B. Potter, Jay Gould, Hugh J. Jewett, James McHenry

The Atlantic and Great Western Railroad was formed through the unification of three separate railroads: the Erie and New York City Railroad based in Jamestown, New York; the Meadville Railroad located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, which adopted the A&GW name in April 1858; and the Franklin and Warren Railroad from Franklin Mills, Ohio, which became part of A&GW in January 1853.

Following a gathering in Cleveland in October 1852, these three entities collaborated to develop an extension named the "Great Broad Route," utilizing the Erie Railroad as a strategic link between their territories.

History

On March 12, 1862, governance of the trio was unified under a board composed of two representatives from each state: Marvin Kent and Worthy S. Streator representing Ohio; William Reynolds and John Dick from Pennsylvania; and A. F. Allen alongside Thomas W. Kennard for New York. William Reynolds assumed the presidency. The railroad line reached Cleveland, Ohio on November 18, 1863, and by June 20, 1864, it connected with the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad at Dayton, Ohio, establishing a broad gauge route spanning from St. Louis to New York City.

On August 19, 1865, the companies consented to merge into a single entity known as the Atlantic and Great Western Railway. Shortly thereafter, on October 5, they secured a $30 million mortgage to address existing financial obligations.

The company entered receivership under Robert B. Potter on April 1, 1867. Potter oversaw operations until December 1868 when the Erie Railroad leased it for a period of twelve years. Subsequently, Erie’s president Jay Gould reinstated receivership with himself and W. A. O'Doherty appointed as receivers; this responsibility was transferred to Reuben Hitchcock in November 1869. Erie resumed leasing the railroad in February 1870 while awaiting foreclosure proceedings.

Foreclosure took place on July 26, 1871; ownership was acquired by General George B. McClellan, William Butler Duncan, and Allen G. Thurman. The transaction was finalized on October 3, 1871. Initially designated as Atlantic and Great Western Railway, it reverted to the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad name following consolidation of its state divisions in November.

In May 1874, Erie once again leased the Atlantic and Great Western under terms advantageous to A&GW supporter James McHenry. However, on December 10 of that year, Erie’s president Hugh J. Jewett repudiated this lease agreement and placed A&GW into receivership under J. H. Devereaux. This action triggered legal disputes between McHenry and Jewett that tarnished both companies’ reputations. Eventually, after foreclosure on January 10, 1880, the property was reorganized as the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad.

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