Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
| Company type | Railroad company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | May 1, 1834 |
| Defunct | August 1, 1850 |
| Fate | Merged to form Rochester and Syracuse Railroad |
| Headquarters | Syracuse, New York , United States |
Area served | Upstate New York |
The Auburn and Syracuse Railroad was established on May 1, 1834, with the purpose of linking Auburn, New York to the Erie Canal. Construction commenced in 1835 but experienced delays due to the Panic of 1837. Although the economic crisis persisted until 1843, the railroad was finalized by January 1838.
In August 1850, it combined with the Auburn and Rochester Railroad to create the Rochester and Syracuse Railroad, which was eventually absorbed into the New York Central Railroad.
History
Investors from Syracuse contributed $31,000 toward the authorized capital of $400,000 at the time of incorporation. Among these investors was Vivus W. Smith, who would later help establish the Syracuse Journal.
Horse-drawn operations
The Auburn and Syracuse Railroad initially opened on January 8, 1838, featuring horse-drawn trains running on rails made from low-grade materials and wood. Steam locomotives were introduced on June 14, 1839, with the first engine named Syracuse.
Steam locomotive
The introduction of steam-powered trains necessitated addressing challenges such as a millpond located at what is now Armory Square near the future State Armory site. Until a trestle was constructed, passengers had to use a provisional station in Geddes.
Auburn Road
Referred to as the Auburn Road, the company erected a new depot between Salina and Clinton streets in late 1838 and completed both the trestle and a downtown Syracuse station by early 1839.
By late 1839, trains traversed the distance in just 58 minutes. While passenger service generated most revenue, canal-protection laws required that freight be transported in a manner supporting rather than competing with the Erie Canal.
Depot
In 1839, the original Auburn Road depot was replaced by that of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad. The Auburn Road depot was relatively modest compared to its more elaborate neighbor across the street.
Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
On August 1, 1850, a merger between the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad and the Auburn and Rochester Railroad formed the Rochester and Syracuse Railroad.
New York Central Railroad
Although it was a relatively small line within New York State, the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad gained significance by becoming part of the influential New York Central Railroad system. It was one of eight independent upstate New York railroads consolidated under Erastus Corning of Albany. This process culminated in 1853 with its integration into New York Central.
During the 1940s, New York Central operated several daily passenger trains along this route, including an extra daily run between Geneva and Syracuse (excluding Sundays). Service continued with a single daily train until 1958.
Stations served on the route
In its later years, notable stations along the line included:
- Syracuse (with connections to New York Central trains bound for Boston, New York City, and North Country)
- Camillus (westbound only)
- Martisco (westbound only)
- Skaneateles Jct.
- Auburn
- Cayuga
- Seneca Falls
- Waterloo
- Geneva
- Oaks Corners (eastbound only)
- Phelps
- Clifton Springs
- Shortsville
- Chapin
- Canandaigua
- Victor
- Pittsford
- Rochester
External links
References
- Articles with short description
- Predecessors of the New York Central Railroad
- Railway companies founded in 1834
- Railway routes inaugurated in 1838
- Railway companies dissolved in 1850
- Defunct railroads in New York (state)
- Defunct railroads in Syracuse, New York
- 1834 establishments in New York (state)
- 1850 disestablishments in New York (state)
- American enterprises founded in 1834
- American enterprises dissolved in 1850
- American companies disestablished in 1850