Kaydeross Railroad

Kaydeross Railroad

Company type	Private
Industry	Transportation (railroad)
Predecessor	Eastern New York Railroad, Ballston Terminal Railroad
Founded	1918
Founder	I. W. Wiswall (acquirer)
Defunct	1929
Headquarters	Milton, New York , United States
Area served	Saratoga County, New York
Products	Freight and passenger transportation (electric trolley railroad)

The Kaydeross Railroad, initially known as the Eastern New York Railroad and previously the Ballston Terminal Railroad, was an electric trolley system that served industrial facilities situated along the Kayaderosseras Creek in Milton, Saratoga County, New York. Functioning as a terminal railroad, it linked to the rail network at one terminus in Ballston Spa, New York without extending connections beyond that point.

Its main purpose was to facilitate operations for approximately twelve water-powered paper mills and a prominent tool manufacturing plant located along the creek. Notable businesses served included George West's paper mills and bag factory, Isaiah Blood's Ballston Scythe & Axe Works, the National Folding Paper Box Company’s mill, as well as Chauncey Kilmer’s straw paper mill, which later became the Cottrell Paper Company.

Distinct from typical trolley lines, this railroad transported freight cars—sometimes up to eight simultaneously—between local manufacturing sites and the interchange with the Delaware and Hudson Railway situated along present-day New York State Route 50.

Construction commenced in 1896 under the initiative of investor Arthur B. Paine after obtaining a franchise from Ballston Spa. By 1902, the route had expanded to cover twelve miles (fifteen miles including sidings), providing regular passenger service through Ballston Spa, Bloodville, Factory Village, Craneville, Milton Center, West Milton, Rock City Falls, and Middle Grove.

Facing financial difficulties early on, the Ballston Terminal Railroad Corporation filed for bankruptcy in 1904 but maintained operations under the name Eastern New York Railroad. In 1918, I. W. Wiswall acquired the company for $25,000. Subsequently, ownership transferred to several paper mill proprietors who rebranded it as the Kaydeross Railroad Company. Operations continued until 1929 when only three mills were still functioning. Although its overall success was limited, the railroad offered an economical transportation solution that contributed to sustaining local industry longevity.

Presently, surviving landmarks include the brick powerhouse located at Factory Village and roughly one mile of former railbed repurposed as a walking trail within Boice Park in Milton. Additional remnants of track beds are observable near Ballston Spa, and an iron bridge spanning Kayaderosseras Creek remains intact on Heisler Road in Rock City Falls.

External links

• Rich Coffee, Retracing the Kaydeross Railroad, Rich's PedalPoint, 26 December 2015
• Gino DiCarlo, The Ballston Terminal Railroad, Gino's Rail Museum