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Leatherstocking Rails a History of Railroading Along the Upper Susquehanna by Ji
Leatherstocking Rails a History of Railroading Along the Upper Susquehanna by Jim Loudon
SIGNED on inside front cover
Soft Cover
258 pages
Copyright 2005
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
Pioneer Railroads of Otsego County 1827-1837
CHAPTER 2
The Delaware Hudson
Electric Lake
Delaware and Hudson System Map
System Map Otsego County
Unadilla
Wells Bridge
Otego
Oneonta
Emmons
Colliersville
Maryland
Schenevus
Worcester
East Worcester
CHAPTER 3
Motive Power on the Delaware and Hudson
Albany and Susquehanna Steam Locomotives
Delaware and Hudson Steam Locomotives
Challengers 4-6-6-4
CHAPTER 4
The Little Red Caboose
CHAPTER 5
The Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley
Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley System Map
System Map Otsego County
Cooperstown Junction
Cliffside
Portlandville
Milford
Clintonville
Hartwick Seminary
County Farm
Phoenix Mills
Cooperstown
CHAPTER 6
Steam Locomotives of the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad
CHAPTER 7
The Oneonta, Cooperstown & Richfield Springs
Abandonment Map City of Oneonta
Southern New York System Map
System Map Otsego County
Designated Stops
Oneonta
Oneonta Junction
West Oneonta
Huntingtons Siding
Davis Siding
Laurens
Waters Crossing
Bloods Mills
Mount Vision
Gardners Crossing
South Hartwick
Jones Crossing
Hartwick
Fields Crossing
Cooks Summit
Perkins (Spring Farm) Crossing
Chase
Chase Gorge
Murdocks Crossing
Index
Cooperstown
Toddsville
Fork Shop
Fly Creek
Oaksville
Cattown
Kelseys Siding
Schuyler Lake
Brainards Siding
Walnut Grove
Lake House
Fair Grounds
Richfield Springs
CHAPTER 8
Southern NY and Affiliated Companies Motive Units and Equipment
Freight Motors
The Life of Car 60
CHAPTER 9
The Cherry Valley, Sharon and Albany
Cherry Valley, Sharon and Albany System Map
System Map Otsego County
Cherry Valley
CHAPTER 10
The Ulster and Delaware
Ulster and Delaware System Map
System Map Otsego County
Oneonta
CHAPTER 11
The Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna valley
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western System Map
System Map Otsego County
Richfield Springs
CHAPTER 12
The Catskill, Middleburgh and Coopersville
CHAPTER 13
The Catskill Mountain and Mohawk Valley
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
By 1827 the science of railroading had barely begun to develop in America, although steam power had been harnessed for river navigation a decade earlier. The new nation was still in the throes of canal fever, and the crude British locomotive that had taken up the chore of hauling passengers between Stockton and Darlington in England a few years prior was not considered to be more than a passing fancy.
There was, however, a scattering of visionaries who realized the future potential of this new mode of transportation. One such individual was Oneonta merchant Jacob Dietz, who in 1827 penned a series of editorials advocating the construction of a steam or horse drawn railroad along the waters of the Upper Susquehanna. Like most men of vision, Mr. Dietz was well ahead of his time. Two decades would pass before the concept of a railroad would really take hold in the valley, mostly through the efforts of one dedicated individual, Harvey Baker. Mr. Baker, who was a native of Lisle, New York, settled in the tiny hamlet of Oneonta about 1840 and soon prospered as an astute businessman and entrepreneur.
In addition to operating a machine shop and foundry, Mr. Baker brokered in real estate and worked as a general contractor. From the time he took up residence in Oneonta, Harvey Baker worked tirelessly to advance the cause of the railroad. After numerous false starts, the Albany and Susquehanna was finally chartered in April of 1851 and the line was officially opened to Oneonta in August 1865. The A&S was completed to Binghamton in 1869, and after the famous "Railroad War" had run its course, it was leased in perpetuity by The Delaware and Hudson Canal Company.
The arrival of the railroad molded the future of Otsego County. In 1850 the village of Oneonta was too insignificant to appear on a map of New York State, but by 1900 it had evolved into one of the busiest rail hubs in the northeast, soon to boast the world's largest roundhouse. The village would become a city, with its population burgeoning from a few hundred in 1870 to well over 9,000 shortly after the turn of the century.
By 1900 Otsego County was serviced by 6 steam railroads and one electric trolley line, with fortunes being made as a result of the commerce brought about by this extensive rail system. The Delaware and Hudson delivered coal to heat homes and run factories, while the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley shipped hops. cheese and textiles to markets throughout the Country. Tying the County together was the OC&RS trolley line connecting Oneonta with Cooperstown, Richfield Springs and the Mohawk Valley.
The many railroads that served Cooper Country have been well documented in several notable works, and it is not the purpose of this publication to duplicate those efforts. Rather it is the goal of this book to first, paint a broad picture of the intense railroad activity that took place in a relatively small area, and second, to relate some of the more obscure events that occurred during our age of railroad building.
Being a firm believer that a picture is worth a thousand words, I have included a substantial collection of photographs, maps and supporting documents . This book is by no means intended to be an all-encompassing history of our railroad past, as there are always new stories waiting to be discovered.
And finally, this book is dedicated to all those of us who love the sound of a train whistle and enjoy nothing more than chasing ghosts along an abandoned roadbed.
ON THE BACK COVER
The Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society was organized in August of 1982 as a non-profit , educational corporation. In May 1983 the society was accepted as the Leatherstocking Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. The organizations operate as one and were created with two goals in mind.
Protecting the "Little Red Caboose" in Oneonta's Neahwa Park, founding home of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, was the first goal. This was accomplished in September, 1983 after the organization raised $10,000 to construct an enclosure around the caboose, thereby protecting it for future generations.
The second goal was to establish a railroad museum in the Oneonta area. After looking at several sites, the organization selected a parcel of land in Cooperstown Junction, strategically located at the south end of the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad. The property includes a two-story Victorian dwelling which serves as corporate office and society archival storage. Historic railroad equipment is stored on adjoining tracks.
LRHS also owns and operates the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Train Ride, a 16 mile round-trip that operates between Milford and Cooperstown, N.Y. This train is comprised of vintage passenger cars and motive power, and allows visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of the upper Susquehanna Valley.
Passengers boarding at Milford are invited to tour the fully restored 1869 Milford Depot, which includes a Victorian waiting room, station agent's office and gift shop. As an added attraction at Milford, the Milford Park Railway offers rides on a hand-made 18" gauge miniature railroad.
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