Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rapid Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rapid Railroad, also known as the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Railroad, an interurban
rail, began operations in 1906 and linked Rochester, New York
, with the nearby towns of Newark
, Egypt, Fairport
and Palmyra
. At its peak the railroad was 87 miles (140 km) in length and employed third-rail for power instead of the more traditional overhead catenary.
, through Rochester
and Syracuse
, then north to Oswego
on Lake Ontario
. The Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rapid Railroad (RS&E) portion ran from downtown Rochester
to Auburn
through East Rochester
, Fairport
, Palmyra
, Newark
, among others.
The tracks paralleled the New York Central Railroad
and the Erie Canal
and had only one grade crossing with another railroad its entire length.
, and C. T. Beebe, general manager, announced the expected completion of the portion of the road between Rochester
and Lyons
, a distance of 36 miles (57.9 km), as ready for operation by January 1, 1906. The plans for the construction work involved the expenditure of more than $2,000,000. More than 1,000 men were hired to complete the construction. The object of the project was to unite Syracuse
and Rochester
with a double-tracked railroad upon which electric cars would be driven at a rate of 70 miles per hour (31.3 m/s).
The towns and cities touched by this railroad were Brighton
, Dispatch, Fairport
, Egypt, Macedon
, Palmyra
, Newark
, Lyons
, Clyde
, Savannah
, Port Byron
, Weedsport
, Jordan
, Memphis
, Warner, Amboy
, Belle Isle and Syracuse
. With a few exceptions, the road was built on public right of way.
Four bridges between Palmyra
and Rochester
were ordered from the Owego Bridge Company and several more were in the works. They were the most "approved style" in use on interurban roads and cost from $10,500 to $12,000 each.
, Newark
, Fairport
and Brighton
. The waiting room was designed to have a seating capacity of 35 persons and the freight section was 50 feet (15.2 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m). Both sections were estimated to cost $16,000 each and would be completed later in the year.
At the same time, an announcement was made that the rail had added a new link connecting Syracuse
to Port Byron
.
The Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Roadroad crossed Wayne County
and Cayuga County
in New York State and terminated at Lake Shore Junction at New York State Fairgrounds in Onondaga County
. In Wayne County
, Route 31 occupied the former bed.
Construction costs amounted to $7 million, an exceptionally large sum in 1909. In 1913, largely in an effort to deal with heavy fixed charges of the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Railroad, Beebe merged the line with two of his other interurban
rails.
forming the Empire United Railways
.
The effort was not successful and the new company failed in 1915 and was dissolved into its individual component interurbans in 1916.
which remained in operation until 1931 when it was abandoned. The last trolley run on the line took place July 31, 1930.
and in Onondaga County
the bed was occupied by Niagara Mohawk as a power line and pipeline right-of-way and the easterly 2 miles (3.2 km) were occupied by Mobil Oil Company pipeline.
.
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
rail, began operations in 1906 and linked Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, with the nearby towns of Newark
Newark, New York
Newark is a village in Wayne County, New York, U.S., south east of Rochester. The population was 9,682 at the 2000 census.The Village of Newark is in the south part of the Town of Arcadia and is in the south of Wayne County.- History :...
, Egypt, Fairport
Fairport, New York
Fairport is a village located in the town of Perinton which is part of Monroe County, New York. Fairport is a suburb east of Rochester. It is also known as the "Crown Jewel of the Erie Canal"...
and Palmyra
Palmyra, New York
Palmyra, New York may refer to:*Palmyra , New York*Palmyra , New York...
. At its peak the railroad was 87 miles (140 km) in length and employed third-rail for power instead of the more traditional overhead catenary.
History
The rail was part of the Beebe Syndicate, a group of 12 high-speed, interurban, electric train lines which ran from Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, through Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
and Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, then north to Oswego
Oswego, New York
Oswego is a city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 18,142 at the 2010 census. Oswego is located on Lake Ontario in north-central New York and promotes itself as "The Port City of Central New York"...
on Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
. The Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rapid Railroad (RS&E) portion ran from downtown Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
to Auburn
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
through East Rochester
East Rochester, New York
East Rochester is a coterminous town and village located southeast of the City of Rochester in Monroe County, New York. The village, home to about 6,587 people, is bounded by Pittsford to the west and south and Perinton to the north and east. The southern boundary is delimited by New York State...
, Fairport
Fairport, New York
Fairport is a village located in the town of Perinton which is part of Monroe County, New York. Fairport is a suburb east of Rochester. It is also known as the "Crown Jewel of the Erie Canal"...
, Palmyra
Palmyra, New York
Palmyra, New York may refer to:*Palmyra , New York*Palmyra , New York...
, Newark
Newark, New York
Newark is a village in Wayne County, New York, U.S., south east of Rochester. The population was 9,682 at the 2000 census.The Village of Newark is in the south part of the Town of Arcadia and is in the south of Wayne County.- History :...
, among others.
The tracks paralleled the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
and the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
and had only one grade crossing with another railroad its entire length.
Company management
During March 1905, the company, headed by Lyman C. Smith of SyracuseSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, and C. T. Beebe, general manager, announced the expected completion of the portion of the road between Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
and Lyons
Lyons, New York
Lyons, New York may refer to either of two places in Wayne County, New York, USA:* Lyons , New York* Lyons , New York...
, a distance of 36 miles (57.9 km), as ready for operation by January 1, 1906. The plans for the construction work involved the expenditure of more than $2,000,000. More than 1,000 men were hired to complete the construction. The object of the project was to unite Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
with a double-tracked railroad upon which electric cars would be driven at a rate of 70 miles per hour (31.3 m/s).
The towns and cities touched by this railroad were Brighton
Brighton, New York
There are several places named Brighton in New York State. They are:*Brighton, Franklin County, New York*Brighton, Monroe County, New York*Brighton, Syracuse, New York is a neighborhood in Syracuse, New York...
, Dispatch, Fairport
Fairport, New York
Fairport is a village located in the town of Perinton which is part of Monroe County, New York. Fairport is a suburb east of Rochester. It is also known as the "Crown Jewel of the Erie Canal"...
, Egypt, Macedon
Macedon, New York
Macedon may refer to two municipalities in Wayne County, New York in the United States:*Macedon , New York*Macedon , New York, located entirely within the town...
, Palmyra
Palmyra, New York
Palmyra, New York may refer to:*Palmyra , New York*Palmyra , New York...
, Newark
Newark, New York
Newark is a village in Wayne County, New York, U.S., south east of Rochester. The population was 9,682 at the 2000 census.The Village of Newark is in the south part of the Town of Arcadia and is in the south of Wayne County.- History :...
, Lyons
Lyons, New York
Lyons, New York may refer to either of two places in Wayne County, New York, USA:* Lyons , New York* Lyons , New York...
, Clyde
Clyde, New York
Clyde is a village in Wayne County, New York, United States. The population was 2,269 at the 2000 census.The Village of Clyde is in the Town of Galen and is northeast of Geneva, NY...
, Savannah
Savannah, New York
Savannah is a town in the southeast portion of Wayne County, New York, United States. The population was 1,838 at the 2000 census. Savannah is west of Syracuse, New York...
, Port Byron
Port Byron, New York
Port Byron is a village in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,297 at the 2000 census. The village is believed to be named after Lord Byron.The Village of Port Byron is in the Town of Mentz and is north of Auburn, New York....
, Weedsport
Weedsport, New York
Weedsport is a village in Cayuga County, New York, USA. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census. The name is from Elihu and Edward Weed, merchants who helped found the village....
, Jordan
Jordan, New York
Jordan is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,314 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Memphis
Memphis, New York
Memphis is a hamlet in the Town of Van Buren, west of Syracuse in Onondaga County, New York, United States.Because of its location on the south town line of Van Buren, part of Memphis can be considered to be also in the Towns of Elbridge and Camillus...
, Warner, Amboy
Amboy, New York
Amboy is a town in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 1,312 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a location in New Jersey.The Town of Amboy is in the southeastern part of the county.- History :...
, Belle Isle and Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. With a few exceptions, the road was built on public right of way.
Four bridges between Palmyra
Palmyra, New York
Palmyra, New York may refer to:*Palmyra , New York*Palmyra , New York...
and Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
were ordered from the Owego Bridge Company and several more were in the works. They were the most "approved style" in use on interurban roads and cost from $10,500 to $12,000 each.
Company expansion
By June 1910, the company had completed plans for the construction of shops and buildings including four standard stations at LyonsLyons, New York
Lyons, New York may refer to either of two places in Wayne County, New York, USA:* Lyons , New York* Lyons , New York...
, Newark
Newark, New York
Newark is a village in Wayne County, New York, U.S., south east of Rochester. The population was 9,682 at the 2000 census.The Village of Newark is in the south part of the Town of Arcadia and is in the south of Wayne County.- History :...
, Fairport
Fairport, New York
Fairport is a village located in the town of Perinton which is part of Monroe County, New York. Fairport is a suburb east of Rochester. It is also known as the "Crown Jewel of the Erie Canal"...
and Brighton
Brighton, New York
There are several places named Brighton in New York State. They are:*Brighton, Franklin County, New York*Brighton, Monroe County, New York*Brighton, Syracuse, New York is a neighborhood in Syracuse, New York...
. The waiting room was designed to have a seating capacity of 35 persons and the freight section was 50 feet (15.2 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m). Both sections were estimated to cost $16,000 each and would be completed later in the year.
At the same time, an announcement was made that the rail had added a new link connecting Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
to Port Byron
Port Byron, New York
Port Byron is a village in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,297 at the 2000 census. The village is believed to be named after Lord Byron.The Village of Port Byron is in the Town of Mentz and is north of Auburn, New York....
.
The Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Roadroad crossed Wayne County
Wayne County, New York
Wayne County is a county located in the US state of New York. It is part of the Rochester, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area and lies on the south shore of Lake Ontario, forming part of the northern border of the United States with Canada. The name honors General Anthony Wayne, an American...
and Cayuga County
Cayuga County, New York
Cayuga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was named for one of the tribes of Indians in the Iroquois Confederation. Its county seat is Auburn.- History :...
in New York State and terminated at Lake Shore Junction at New York State Fairgrounds in Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. In Wayne County
Wayne County, New York
Wayne County is a county located in the US state of New York. It is part of the Rochester, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area and lies on the south shore of Lake Ontario, forming part of the northern border of the United States with Canada. The name honors General Anthony Wayne, an American...
, Route 31 occupied the former bed.
Financial problems
The RS&E cost $144,000 per mile to build which was significantly more than an average railroad and never made a profit in its 25-year history. It failed to prosper for several reasons. The main reason for failure occurred because the road competed with an existing steam railroad and was never able to garner enough lucrative freight business. The initial construction cost was too great for its earning capacity. Additionally, like all interurbans, the road lost out to competition from the gasoline engine, as automobiles became the transportation mode of choice.Construction costs amounted to $7 million, an exceptionally large sum in 1909. In 1913, largely in an effort to deal with heavy fixed charges of the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Railroad, Beebe merged the line with two of his other interurban
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
rails.
Empire United railways
Financial issues in 1913 forced the company to merge with two nearby interurbans; the Auburn and Northern Electric Railroad and the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern RailroadSyracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad
The Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad, an interurban rail, was incorporated on September 9, 1905, after it was purchased by the Beebe Syndicate...
forming the Empire United Railways
Empire United Railways
The Empire United Railways was an interurban rail that was owned by Clifford D. Beebe of Syracuse, New York. The Beebe Syndicate controlled interurbans that ran from Rochester to Syracuse, to Auburn to Oswego on Lake Ontario....
.
The effort was not successful and the new company failed in 1915 and was dissolved into its individual component interurbans in 1916.
Rochester and Syracuse railroad
Beebe withdrew from interurban operation and the road was reorganized in 1917 as the Rochester and Syracuse RailroadRochester and Syracuse Railroad (interurban)
The Rochester and Syracuse Railroad was a double-track, high-speed line line that ran between Rochester, New York and Syracuse, New York. The tracks paralleled the New York Central Railroad and the Erie Canal and had only one grade crossing with another railroad its entire length.The road was...
which remained in operation until 1931 when it was abandoned. The last trolley run on the line took place July 31, 1930.
Land use
By 1974, Niagara Mohawk and New York State Electric and Gas Company had power lines on the railbed in Cayuga CountyCayuga County, New York
Cayuga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was named for one of the tribes of Indians in the Iroquois Confederation. Its county seat is Auburn.- History :...
and in Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
the bed was occupied by Niagara Mohawk as a power line and pipeline right-of-way and the easterly 2 miles (3.2 km) were occupied by Mobil Oil Company pipeline.
Perinton Hike-Bikeway trail
Today, the property formerly occupied by the rail is part of the Perinton Hike-Bikeway trail in Rochester, New YorkRochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
.