The NYC was the dominant railroad in Buffalo and all the big named trains ran through there. The Pennsy had the Buffalo Day Express and the Northern Express; NKP the City of Chicago and City of Cleveland; E-L was still running the Pheobe Snow in 1964. You should be able to find someone who has for sale a NYC schedule or an Official Guide. Also Google New York Central, Hudson and Mowhawk.
"The Official Guide of the Railways" will give you most of the information you are looking for. This book was published monthly and you can easily find a copy on eBay. The prices seem to have gone down since I last looked a couple of years ago; now you can get them for around $12-20. Some people even sell CD versions of it.
The Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo ran into the NYC station in Buffalo, usually behind Pacifics or Hudsons of the TH&B or of the line's joint owners, NYC and CPR. Diesels took over in the mid-'50s, with the final years of service covered by RDCs.
Wayne
Thanks for all the help looks like these sources should have what i need. Thanks again
Check your library or libraries for history books on the named railroads and even general histories...old maps, Official Guides, specific railroad and general railroad historical societies, local historical societies, back issues of railfan magazines. Lots and lots and lots of stuff there.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
aricat The NYC was the dominant railroad in Buffalo and all the big named trains ran through there. The Pennsy had the Buffalo Day Express and the Northern Express; NKP the City of Chicago and City of Cleveland; E-L was still running the Pheobe Snow in 1964. You should be able to find someone who has for sale a NYC schedule or an Official Guide. Also Google New York Central, Hudson and Mowhawk.
If we are talking pre-1960 then we can factor in DL&W and Erie trains.
Also Lehigh Valley was also a player until 1961.
Nickel Plate was in steam during many of those years. I remember seeing Berkshires and Hudsons on the main sometimes doubleheaded. The yard in Buffalo had a fleet of 0-8-0s, many of which were stored there prior to scrapping.
Baltimore and Ohio (the old Buffalo Rochester and Pittsburgh line) still had passenger service pulled by P-5 and P-6 Pacifics as well as some leftovers from BR&P. Buffalo passenger service ended in 1955. Steam freight was mostly Mikados and was mostly gone by 1956, IIRC.
Pennsy had the well known line to Emporium over Keating Summit. Less well known was the Oil City branch which used NKP from Buffalo to Brocton then climbed the escarpment up to Mayville and beyond. Decapods ruled that line until first generation diesels took over. I remember GP7s along that line. No passenger service there.
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