Published: April 29, 2007 07:17 pm            

RAILROAD: History buffs ride train down memory lane

Train enthusiasts relived the golden days of the New York Central Railroad on Sunday during a Rare Mileage Trip from Lockport to Brockport.

More than 250 members of New York Central System Historical Society boarded six cars at the site of the former Michigan Street Station to cap off the weekend convention that centered on Grand Island. The five coaches and one club car left right on schedule at 9:30 a.m.

“I’ve been a rail fan all my life. It’s one of my favorite railroads,” said Adrian Etlinger, 82, a retired electrical engineer from Carmel. “It’s pleasant. It’s a comfortable way to travel.”

The Buffalo and Lockport Railroad was chartered April 27, 1852. It carried passengers and freight on the middle leg from Rochester to the new Suspension Bridge in Niagara Falls as part of the “Water Level Route.” Hundreds of Niagara Frontier residents worked for the New York Central and thousands road the trains into and out of the Buffalo Central Terminal.

The historical society was founded in 1970 and claims about 1,800 members. While the group meets every year, this is the first time the convention was centered in the Buffalo area. At one time, Buffalo was once second only to Chicago as the largest railroad center in the country. The Water Level Route from New York City was the first four-track long-distance railroad in the world.

There once was a freight terminal at Park Avenue and Michigan and a passenger terminal on Washburn Street that closed in 1957. The NYCSHS contacted the Medina Railroad Museum about a year ago to be the host of the excursion.

“This was a New York Central line from Rochester to Niagara Falls,” said Jim Dickinson of Barker, the president of Medina Museum which ran the excursion. “There are a lot of things in museum are New York Central-oriented.”

The excursion stopped on Salt Road in Medina for passengers climb out and take pictures. The railroad lovers were provided with a box lunch and had a 90-minute stay at the museum before going to Brockport. The Medina depot was build in 1905.

“I’m here just for a good time. I have good memories of train trips I took years ago,” said Clayton Claxton, a native of Buffalo who was looking forward to a great ride. “I’m familiar with this area, but I’ve never been here. I’m just a train enthusiast reflecting on the old days.”

The New York Central routes once covered the northeast and branched into Ontario and Quebec. Its primary connections included Chicago and Boston. NYC merged with rival Pennsylvania Railroad in 1968. After going bankrupt the railroads became part of Conrail in 1976.

Sam and Janet Shumaker of Solon, Ohio enjoyed the convention and the ride. “It’s been absolutely great,” Sam Shumaker said while sitting in the light weight Budd Car coach which was likely built in Philadelphia in the 1940s. “I like to see anything that remains of the New York Central. I enjoy the experience of riding in one of these cars.”

Onboard was a traveler from Finland who comes to the convention each year and takes the prize for traveling the furthest.

Lockport police officer Paul Beakman is a T special agent for the railroad. He was not a train enthusiast until he took the job. “It kind of gets in your blood and kind of hard to shake. This is a great job. I get paid to ride trains,” he said. “It’s a very big crowd. I want to make sure everyone has a safe and fun time.”

Hugh Guillame of Snyder was the chairman of the convention. The Rare Mileage Trip cost $45 and was sold out well in advance. The ride in the privately-owned Dagny West Texas and Buffalo Steamship and Railway Co. grand touring car was $60.

Steve Hill of Akron served as car host to help people find seats and iron out problems.

There was a straight shot back Lockport about 4 p.m.

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott at 439-9222, ext. 6246.

        

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