For seven years after its inception, the "Black Diamond" operated over the Seneca Lake, or mainline between Van Etten and Geneva. The distance from Van Etten Junction to Geneva Junction via the Ithaca branch was only 6.2 miles longer than the Seneca Lake bypass, or 62.5 miles. The running time from Sayre to Geneva via the Seneca Lake line was an hour and 15 minutes westbound and an hour and 24 minutes eastbound, and via Ithaca, two hours. The distance from Van Etten Junction to Geneva Junction on the Seneca Lake bypass was 56.3 miles and via the Ithaca branch, 62.5 miles. As state previously, the Seneca Lake line allowed for fast running of up to 70 to 80 miles per hour if the train was late.
Although this doesn't seem to have a dramatic difference in running time, the run from Sayre to Geneva was non-stop and passing through Ithaca added at least 30 minutes to the schedule. Also, Ithaca at the time appears to have been sufficiently served by about six other Lehigh Valley daily passenger trains in each direction. Connections with the Black Diamond could be made either at Sayre or Geneva.
On Feb. 8, 1903, the Trains 9 and 10, the "Black Diamond Express," was shifted over to the Ithaca branch. Westbound No. 9 arrived in Ithaca at 6:30 p.m. and eastbound No. 10, at 2:04 p.m. There was about a five minute stop for both trains. Then another change was made. On May 14, 1905, Train No. 9 was shifted back to the Seneca Lake line. No. 10 continued to stop at Ithaca. This arrangement, with minor time adjustments over the years, appears to have lasted until July 11, 1914, when both east and westbound trains returned to the Ithaca branch.. Both trains 9 and 10 then continued to serve Ithaca uninterrupted for the next 45 years until discontinued in 1959. This information is based on my large collection of timetables and news articles.