ARCADE-ATTICA RAILROAD

In 1852, the Attica and Allegheny Valley Railroad Company was going to connect small, incomplete railroads running from Attica, through Arcade, to Pennsylvania, with the goal of connecting Pennsylvania (specifically Philadelphia) to Buffalo. This was during an era of railroads being built around the country, and farmers in Western New York wanted a way to connect to the big cities. They joined together and formed organizations which started to construct railroads in the countryside. In 1855, after most of the construction between Attica and Arcade was complete, the construction was discontinued and the property was foreclosed in 1856. This was one of the many failed companies involved in this route through the Tonawanda Valley, including others such as the Attica and Sheldon Railroad, the Tonawanda Valley Railroad, the Tonawanda Valley and Cuba Railroad, and the Attica and Freedom Railroad. Finally, the gauge was successfully converted under the Buffalo, Attica and Arcade Railroad. Due to concerns of the this part of the line being closed down, the Attica and Arcade Railroad was formed in 1917 by interested parties, with stock sold to farmers, merchants, and any other interested party. This corporation still owns the railroad. The railroad also connected to the Erie Railroad, which traveled to New York City, one stop along the nationwide passenger network. According to Kenneth C. Springirth in Arcade and Attica Railroad, “Both railroads played an important role in the growth of the region” (45).
During the Great Depression, not a single railroad worker of the Attica and Arcade Railroad Corporation was laid off, many crediting the recently-purchased diesel engine for its economic survival in 1941. In 1957, severe flooding of the Tonawanda Creek (hundreds of feet of track were washed out) led the Board of Directors of suspend all operations between North Java and Attica. Most of their freight business was between Arcade and North Java anyway. According to the Arcade-Attica railroad website, “The railroad has an active freight service which has transported milk, cheese, grain, cattle, gasoline, coal and mail.” Additionally, “One of the more interesting operations of the railroad was service to the Attica State prison. The Erie Railroad serviced that area but their engines were too big to get inside of the prison so the job came to the A&A with its smaller engines. No "extra" passengers ever took the train out of the prison due to the watchful eyes of the inspectors.” According to the conductor we spoke with at the Arcade Train Station, coal was transported to Attica State Prison. In the late 1950s, freight business wasn’t doing too well due to the growth of automobile and trucking industries after WWII, so the short line was saved by adding passenger excursions (what our group did!). According to Spingirth, passengers come from many states and Canada to experience the scenic and historic train ride (36). Additionally, hard work and state funding for track repairs are credited for the survival of this line (59).
Four of us went on the North Pole Express for a round-trip ride to the North Pole (Java, NY). We got to explore the archives in the historic station, peruse the gift shop, and meet Santa and his reindeer. We were accompanied by many families, most with young children.