Genesee Valley Canal Railroad facts for kids
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Hinsdale, New York to Rochester, New York |
| Dates of operation | 1882– |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Genesee Valley Canal Railroad was an important railway line in western New York state. It was once part of the larger Pennsylvania Railroad system. This railroad was special because it was built right on top of an old waterway called the Genesee Valley Canal.
Contents
History of the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad
The Genesee Valley Canal: A Waterway's Story (1836-1878)
Imagine a time before cars and trucks, when canals were like superhighways for boats! On May 6, 1836, New York state decided to build the Genesee Valley Canal. This canal was planned to connect the Erie Canal in Rochester, New York to the Allegheny River near Olean, New York. It would help transport goods and people across the state.
The canal opened in stages. By September 1, 1840, boats could travel from Rochester to Mount Morris, New York. A branch to Dansville, Livingston County, New York opened in 1841. Finally, the entire canal was open by 1862, reaching all the way to Olean.
However, by the time the canal was fully open, new railroads were already being built. These railroads could move goods faster and more easily than canals. Because of this, people lost interest in using the Genesee Valley Canal. On June 4, 1877, the state decided to close the canal. It was officially sold on November 6, 1880, to a new company: the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad.
The Genesee Valley Canal Railroad: From Water to Rails (1880-1990s)
The Genesee Valley Canal Railroad began building its tracks in 1880. They used the path where the old canal used to be. In 1882, the new railroad line opened, running from Rochester, New York to Hinsdale, New York. At Hinsdale, it connected with another railway, the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway. The Genesee Valley Canal Railroad was immediately rented out to this larger company.
The branch of the canal that went to Dansville was not turned into a railroad. This was because two other railroads already served that area.
Over the years, the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad became part of bigger railway systems. In 1887, the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad took it over. Then, in 1900, the famous Pennsylvania Railroad rented the entire Western New York and Pennsylvania system, including our Genesee Valley Canal Railroad.
A short, three-mile branch line was built in 1907. It went from Scottsville, New York to Garbutt, New York. This small section of track was closed in 1944. Today, you can't find any signs that it was ever there.
On November 15, 1912, the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad officially merged with another small railroad. They formed a new company called the Pennsylvania and Rochester Railroad. This new company was later absorbed into the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railway in 1916. The Pennsylvania Railroad continued to rent and operate it.
Later, in 1968, the Pennsylvania Railroad merged with other companies to form Penn Central. Then, in 1976, it became part of Conrail. Most of the original Genesee Valley Canal Railroad line from Rochester to Hinsdale was closed down in 1963.
The Genesee Valley Greenway: A New Path (1991-Present)
Even though the canal and railroad are no longer used for transportation, their path has found a new purpose! In 1991, a project called the Genesee Valley Greenway began. This project is turning the old canal and railroad routes into a long, beautiful recreational pathway. It's a great place for walking, biking, and enjoying nature today.
