Abandoning the former BR&P through Orchard Park

The state cannot abandon a rail line it does not own.

sorry what i ment was the railroad is going to abanded this line but since the state said no at that time is it not right to think its just a matter of time before they get there wish and win to abanded this line becuse if you look.and see in a lot of place,they have already rip up section going over certain street along.the line and they .have not used this line in years and it needs major repairs . so can.t help but think its just a matter of time.before it offical end

Well, there's certainly a reason why the RR hasn't taken further action on abandonment in the 8 years since the STB denied their petition.

your right.but what do you see happeing with certain streets being payved over and tracks removed in a few sections would it not cost millions to bring this line back up runing.and would there be enough bussiness on this line .whats your opion you are well respect in my eyes and if anyone would know.it would probley be you sir.

The line is out of service between Orchard Park and West Valley, but not abandoned. Rather than paying to maintain unused grade crossings, the RR simply elects to pave them over. Sometimes the tracks are removed to facilitate road construction. Should the line need to be reactivated (doubtful in this case) - it's just a matter of replacing the crossings.

yes but is it just a matter of time before they abandoned this line becuse would it not save them on taxes. and did they not at one time request,to abandoned this section and what future use could they have for it. unless someware a elected official wants to pour millions into it. becuse whats on the route, this was a old line for coal and steel .now both are not used as much but always gratefully to hear your knowlge you are wise and know your rr facts

But its to bad no one who is good with a camera .cant walk the line from orchard park to springville and little futher.and take pictures ,becuse one day with out warning the tracks,will be rip up lost for ever .it only makes sense if they have not botherd with it then its just matter a few years and they will probley be gone... hell i would glady pay a few bucks and think others would to

84 lumber gets loads of lumber is it much cheaper to ship by train then truck..if cheaper ......could one day lowes in sprigville now opeing in jan07 one day also recive lumber by rr with the help of ny state ......becuse the sprigville line runs behind the new lowes location could not a branch line be added .....maybe this is why this line has not been rip up...and some local greedy elected offical,s could get the federal and local state gov to rebuild this line.....kinda funny left for dead but never tore up

Tippy, poor grammar and spelling aside, it's not going to happen. Too much money for too few loads.

Dave Becker

Last train ran south on Friday after Thanksgiving,1997. Concord siding was pulled up to replace wreck damaged track at Kissing Bridge derailment site.

sir .with lowes coming to springville .and lots of other major big bussiness.on the way in .is there even a slight chance train service will one day return on this line.or is it dead for ever .becuse if dead why have tracks not all been rip up thanks

Tippy, stop asking questions that have already been answered, and for the love of God, stop posting until you can write.

Dave Becker

pablo wrote:Tippy, stop asking questions that have already been answered, and for the love of God, stop posting until you can write.

Dave Becker

I second that motion.

tippy1980 wrote:sir .with lowes coming to springville .and lots of other major big bussiness.on the way in .is there even a slight chance train service will one day return on this line.or is it dead for ever .becuse if dead why have tracks not all been rip up thanks

OK, the simple question is this - is the Lowe's a retail center (a store), or a distribution center (which acts as a warehouse for the retail centers in the region) - if a distribution center, then indeed it would easily generate enough inbound loads to make restoring rail access worth it; however, if it is just another store, then forget it, as Lowes (and Home Depot) pretty much only use rail for distribution centers, not for retail stores. If the other businesses are going to be 'big-box' retailers, then again they will have no need for rail freight access (because they get so many varied items in smallish lot sizes, which althought the lots may look huge to you, you, in reality each lot would barely fill a 1/10 of a truck trailer, let alone a freight car - the volume is just not there).
Some lumber yards with retail centers do sell enough volume to make direct rail access worthwhile, but this is not the case for Home Depot/Lowe's and so on.

On a slightly related subject, construction should start this year on the Rt. 219 extension from Springville to Ashford Hollow. A notable feature of this project is the planned arch bridge over Cattaraugus Creek.

My understanding is that this bridge will be east of the current Rt. 219 bridge. I was wondering if it would be in the immediate vicinity (in view of) of Cascade Viaduct which of course is the railroad bridge over the creek. Another thing, the BR&P/B&O was always plagued by a settling roadbed south of the creek - I wonder if the new expressway will be similarly affected.

One thing is for certain: the planned 219 extension will not do the old B&O Buffalo Division any favors.