Something has been haunting me for years. I was born in Silver Creek, NY in 1942. I remember (whisps of recollections) of a trolly line (abandoned even then) that ran possibly between Buffalo and Dunkirk. I remember seeing the old roadbed in the late 40’s near routes 20 and 5. My search for info on this line has been fruitless. Does anyone know anything about this old trolly line? Thanks, Ken PS, my apologies if I posted this in the wrong forum.
Buffalo & Lake Erie. A short history can be found in The Electric Interurban Railways in America by Hilton and Due.
The line between Buffalo and Erie, PA was completed in 1909, though parts of the line had been in operation since the late 1890’s. The line was abandoned ca 1932-33.
This line was important in that it was the only interurban link between the interurban network of upstate New York and the networks in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. This was far more important for freight traffic than passenger traffic as some freight did move between New York and the mid-western networks. Unfortunately, the B&LE connection with Ohio was the Eastern Ohio Traction company, which was notoriously weak.
Thank you erikem. I surely appreciate this. Ken
Ken,
Glad to be of help.
Erik