| Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Geddes to Binghamton, New York |
| Dates of operation | 1851–1869 |
| Successor | Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge) |
| Headquarters | New York, New York |
The Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad was established on August 18, 1851, and opened for business on October 18, 1854.[1] The road merged in 1856 into Syracuse and Southern Railroad which was renamed to Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railroad when the company reorganized after foreclosure in 1857.[2]
The road linked to the earlier Oswego and Syracuse Railroad line shortly after both came under control of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&WRR) in 1869. This was accomplished despite difficulties caused by the use of wide gauge rails by one railroad and standard gauge by the other.[1]
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The Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad ran from Geddes to Binghamton for a total distance of 81 miles (130 km). The company was chartered as the Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad Company on August 18, 1851, and opened for business on October 18, 1854.[2]
The railroad brought coal from the Pennsylvania mines to be used as fuel in the salt industry in Syracuse, New York.[3]
The Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railroad consolidated with the Oswego and Syracuse Railroad in 1853 after the act was authorized by the New York State Legislature.[4]
The road merged in 1856 into Syracuse and Southern Railroad which was renamed to Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railroad when the company reorganized after foreclosure on April 30, 1857.[2]
The company was taken over by Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad in 1869.[2]
By December 1888, the company's rolling stock consisted of 20 locomotive engines, 9 passenger, baggage and mail cars, 594 freight, including box and platform, 75 service cars and 9 cabooses. The company had capital stock outstanding of $2,500,000 and funded debt of $1,966,000 due in 1906.[2]
As a result of the DL&WR buying the Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railroad in 1869, and leasing the Oswego and Syracuse Railroad on February 13, 1869, the company gained a branch from Binghamton north and northwest via Syracuse to Oswego, a port on Lake Ontario.[2]
By December 1888, directors of the company included Samuel Sloan, Percy R. Pyne, George Bliss, Uriel A. Murdock, Frederick H. Gibbens, Fred F. Chambers, Benjamin G. Clark, Moses Taylor Pyne, Edgar S. Auchinclose, E. R. Holden and W. S. Sloan, all of New York City. Additionally, E. F. Holden of Syracuse and Arthur D. Chambers of Orange, New Jersey. Samuel Sloan was president of the company, Fred F. Chambers was secretary and Frederick H. Gibbens was treasurer. The company was headquartered at 26 Exchange Place in New York City.[2]
In June 1920, the total value of the Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railway franchise in Syracuse as determined by the New York State Tax Commission was $99,040, up from $98,106 in 1919.[5]