Senate Resolution No. 1080

BY: Senator GALLIVAN

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Arcade
and Attica Railroad in Arcade, New York, on May 17,
2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention
to those historic sites within the State of New York which serve as
lasting reminders of our rich and unique past; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of the Arcade and Attica Railroad in Arcade, New York,
to be celebrated from May 27-29, 2017, and July 1-2, 2017; and

WHEREAS, As railroads were stretching across the country, the
farmers of Western New York saw the perfect opportunity for a link to
the big cities; many small organizations that formed, began building
railroads throughout the countryside; despite many stops and starts,
railroads were built stretching across the picturesque Allegheny River
Valley; and

WHEREAS, When the Pennsylvania Railroad wanted to connect to
Buffalo, New York, they found the best way to do so would be to purchase
all the small incomplete railroads and link them together; as a result,
the Buffalo, Attica and Arcade Railroad was formed; and

WHEREAS, The narrow gauge line would connect Attica, New York,
through Arcade, to the Pennsylvania State Line and then to Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, adding the line between Attica and Curriers Corner, New
York, in 1880; and

WHEREAS, The rails on the ground today were initially put down in
1881, and standardized in 1895 to connect with the Pennsylvania
Railroad, allowing merchants easy connections between Arcade and
Pittsburgh; and

WHEREAS, By 1917, the Railroad, operated by the Buffalo and
Susquehanna Railroad, was in turmoil as they had considered closing down
the section of the line; the businessmen along the trail were concerned,
especially since the Merrell-Soule Company of Arcade (predecessor of the
Borden Co.) operated a large mill processing plant and they, along with
other large companies, needed access to the rail service; and

WHEREAS, With the help of interested parties, stocks were sold to
farmers, merchants and concerned civilians; raising $79,000, the people
formed the Arcade and Attica Railroad Corporation, which exists to this
day; and

WHEREAS, After a series of incidents involving bankruptcies and
washout, such as the Tonawanda Creek flooding its banks and taking
several feet of track with it, the Board of Directors of the Arcade and
Attica Railroad Corporation voted to suspend all operations between
North Java and Attica, since nearly all the freight business was between
Arcade and North Java; and

WHEREAS, In 1941, the Railroad purchased a 44-Ton General Electric
diesel engine, becoming one of the first railroads in the nation to
conduct operations with diesel power; the new locomotive performed so
well, cutting expenses so drastically, that it saved the Arcade and
Attica Railroad; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1950s, freight business began to slide and
drastic measures needed to be taken to ensure the short line's
livelihood; the decision was made to try steam powered passenger
excursions; it had its inaugural run on July 27, 1962, for railroad
officials and press; and

WHEREAS, Regular summertime excursions began less than a week later;
open only 27 days, the Railroad carried 17,000 passengers in just two
cars; the successful line became to be known as the Grand Scenic Route;
and

WHEREAS, Today, the railroad is running regular freight services
which continue to hold steady hauling between 450-500 cars per year;
passenger excursions now include special events such as Civil War Days,
Murder Mystery Rides, Fall Foliage Tours, Halloween Rides and The North
Pole Express; and

WHEREAS, As the last operating Steam Excursion in New York State,
the Arcade and Attica Railroad's active freight service has brought in
thousands of people each year to Attica to view the scenic routes and
enjoy one of the oldest steam powered trains in New York State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to express its highest admiration for the Arcade and Attica Railroad,
and for all the individuals who have worked to bring proper attention to
a place and time which merits recognition in the great panorama of the
history of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Arcade and Attica Railroad in
Arcade, New York, on May 17, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Arcade and Attica Railroad.