Arcade and Attica Railroad
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The Arcade & Attica's GE 44-ton locomotive.
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| Reporting mark | ARA |
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| Locale | Wyoming County, New York, USA |
| Dates of operation | 1917– |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Headquarters | Arcade, NY |
| Website | http://www.arcadeandatticarr.com/ |
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The Arcade & Attica Railroad (reporting mark ARA) is a shortline railroad that hauls freight between Arcade, New York and North Java, New York. The railroad originally connected Arcade with Attica, New York, however the right of way from North Java north to Attica was abandoned in 1957 due to flooding on the Tonawanda Creek.
The principal business of the ARA is handling agricultural products (soy beans, corn, and fertilizer), lumber, dairy feed, and other commodities between Arcade and North Java. ARA continues to use its GE 65-ton as primary freight power, and sometimes will double-head it with the GE 44-ton if more than 4 cars need to be moved at once. The freight service operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, starting at 7:00am at the Arcade engine shop. From there, the service runs up to the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad (reporting mark BPRR) interchange, and then out to serve the handful of customers left on the line.
The ARA also runs steam excursion passenger trains from May to October on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Passengers can enjoy a 14-mile (23 km) ride from Arcade to Curriers, New York and back on restored 1920s era Boonton passenger coaches, and an open gondola, pulled by one of the historic steam or early diesel engines.
The Arcade and Attica Railroad was the latest in a long succession of railroads planned and built through the Tonawanda Valley in Wyoming County.
In 1836 the Attica and Sheldon Railroad was proposed, but no construction ever took place.
In 1852 the Attica and Alleghany Valley Railroad was incorporated to build a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railway from Attica, through Arcade, to the Pennsylvania state line. in 1853 the contract was let for construction and most of the road was graded between Attica and Arcade. In 1855 construction was discontinued and the property was sold at foreclosure on February 2, 1856.
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Wikipedia