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Fall Brook As Seen By The Newspapers Of The Time

Contemporary newspaper reporting provides fascinating details on the day-to day-operations and growth of the Fall Brook System. This is quite a long page of newspapers reports, and we are adding to it continuously as new materials come our way. Our thanks to those who have preserved early reporting, especially on the Internet, so that this history becomes available.
We have omitted from these reports, for reasons of space, the hundreds and hundreds of mentions of railroad-related injuries and deaths. The early days of railroading, especially prior to the invention of automatic couplers, were incredibly dangerous.

spacer John Magee and The Early Years

January 10, 1842 - Corning is a name derived from the Honorable Erastus Corning, late Mayor of Albany and now a member of the Senate of this state ... the Erie railroad passes through, and crosses the river here, and is intersected by the Corning and Blossburgh rail road, now in most successful operation. Here too terminates a branch of the Chemung canal. Through these channels, and at this place, Pennsylvania has commenced pouring out the wealth of her coal and iron mines, giving employment to hordes of men, and laying up for those who are the fortunate owners. (New York Daily Tribune)

1849 - John Arnot, John Magee, Charles Cook and Constant Cook took a contract to build the section of the Erie railroad from Binghamton to Corning. They did the work well and promptly, and each realized a hundred thousand dollars on the contract, so it was said. (Corning Journal - 11-21-73)

1847 C&B Schedule
1847 C&B Schedule

April 2, 1851 - We learn from the proceedings of the Senate, on Thursday last, that the bill to change the name of the Tioga Railroad to the Corning and Blossburg Railroad, allowing them to borrow $200,000, and to unite with the Pennsylvania and Tioga Railroad, passed that body ... a T rail will be laid down on the Corning & Blossburg Railroad during the present summer, and the road made equal to any other in the Union. (Corning Journal)

June 16, 1852 - (Corning & Blossburg Railroad) This road extends from the Erie Railroad, Corning, to the Pennsylvania line, fourteen miles; it has been in operations for some years, with a large and increasing business of its own, besides being the only outlet for the whole business of the Tioga Railroad. The coal traffic from the celebrated Blossburg mines all pass over this road, and the gradual immense development of the aggregate freight and passenger business have just compelled the line to relay the line with 60 lb. rail on the broad gauge ... the circumstances of the road are most prosperous. It is leased for ten years to the Tioga Railroad Company, which company works the road, and pays to the Corning and Blossburg net income amounting to two-thirds of its gross receipts. (New York Tribune)

June 16, 1852 - The Tioga Railroad Company extends north from the rich bituminous coal mines near Blossburg, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, to the New York State line, near Lawrenceville, a distance of twenty-six miles, and at that point connects with the Corning Railroad of fourteen miles in length, forming a continuous road terminating at the Town of Corning, situated on the New York and Erie, and Buffalo Corning and New York railroads, and Chemung Canal ... The Tioga Railroad Company have made a contract with responsible parties for relaying the track upon the New York and Erie, of six feet gauge, and placing thereon very superior heavy iron H rails ... Locomotive engines and cars are contracted for, sufficient to transport the immense quantities of lumber, coal and miscellaneous freight, which will pass over the roads, as well as passengers. (New York Tribune)

Blossburg
Blossburg c. 1843

August 28, 1852 - "I have just passed over the route of the railroad from Corning to this place.
"That part in the State of New York is now called the Corning and Blossburg railroad - the part in Pennsylvania is called the Tioga railroad - the latter, 26 miles, the former 14 miles long.
"These roads you are aware were originally constructed with the strap or flat bar rail, and proved to be entirely insufficient to accommodate the business of this region
"The road is now being relaid with first quality iron, Erie railroad pattern, and upon the 6 feet gauge. The short curves have been straightened and the grade made, at all parts of the road, gradually and uniformly to descend from the coal mines to Corning. The work along the whole length is being actively pushed forward and about two-thirds of the road is relaid. New engines and cars will be ready to be placed on the road as soon as it shall be completed.
"The part of the road finished is the best I have yet seen. Ties are very large and good and close together, ballasted with gravel and well laid. It is indeed a very superior road and will give a suitable opening to the bituminous coal. Of this mineral there is here an inexhaustible supply, as I am convinced by a personal inspection of many of the veins, and of a superior quality.
"The quantity to be sent over this road and distributed by the New York and Erie railroad, and its branches, and the New York canals, will be immense.
"Surveys have been made to connect this road with the Williamsport and Elmira railroad at or near Ralston, which prove its practicability. Little has been said by the friends of the Tioga railroad of this route, as the proper one to connect the Pennsylvania and New York system of public works but from the favorable results of their surveys, and from the fact that of the business to pass over any such connection, must come from points west of Elmira, it is now reduced to a certainty that this union will be made and road finished as soon as the Susquehanna road is completed to Williamsport.
"You may imagine how immensely valuable these roads will become and within a reasonable period." (Letter to the Editor of the American Railroad Journal)

December 1, 1852 - ...accident occurred on the Corning and Blossburg Road ... the passenger train coming from Blossburgh when out seven miles from Corning was run into by a locomotive and tender which had been sent out to meet the other train and help them into Corning. The two met on a curve where they could not see each other until too late. (New York Daily Tribune)

December 8, 1852 - There was a collision on the Corning and Blossburg Railroad, six miles from here [Corning], by which the Superintendent of the Road, Mr. Peter B. Gurnsey, of Tioga Co., Penn, was instantly killed ... by a collision of the Colket and Morris. Amount of damages to engines not ascertained. (New York Daily Tribune)

September 30, 1853 - [Corning and Blossburg year-end report] The road is so much embarrassed, that the books were imperfectly kept for some time previous to the election of the present Secretary and Treasurer. The organization was kept up to comply with the Charter, with hopes that it would recover from its embarrasment, and it was operated under lease for several years. The road was relaid with T rail in the year 1852, weighing 60 lbs. to the yard, and is now in the hands of creditors, and the proceeds paid over to them. (State Engineer and Surveyer on the railroads of the State of New York, 1854, p. 236)

This is the road formerly called the "Corning and Blossburg railroad," and is now the property of the Blossburg and Corning Railroad Company, an association formed under the act, chap. 140, Laws of New York, 1850, who organized by filing articles of association May 19, 1854, they having purchased it as of the first day of June, 1854, for the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, subject to the mortgage liens upon it, to wit: $245,000, and subject to a lease for the term of ten years from the 16th day of October, 1852, from the Corning and Blossburg Railroad Company to the Tioga Railroad Company, a corporation in the State of Pennsylvania, who now operate it, under the lease, in connection with their road, extending from the terminus of this road at the line dividing the States of New York and Pennsylvania to Blossburg in the latter state. (Documents of the Senate of the State of New York, 1855, Volume 2, p. 345)

The road [Corning and Blossburg] was purchased in June 1854, by the present Blossburg and Corning Railroad Company, and was leased to the Tioga Railroad Company, a corporation of the State of Pennsylvania, by whom it is now operated ... President: John Magee; Treasurer and Secretary: Duncan S. Magee.

August 11, 1854 - The Corning Union School, and a large and influential class of its patrons and friends, started from the Depot of the Tioga R. Road for a pleasure excursion to Blossburg. At half past 8 'o'clock on Wednesday morning Aug 2d, our iron horse snorted for the onset, and thundered away up the valley like a thing of life, carrying several hundred of as merry hearts, and handsome, smiling faces, as can be found in the Empire State ... we would express our high appreciation of the very gentlemanly and obliging manner in which Mr. Shattuck, the Superintendent of the Tioga Railroad ... has conducted this large company to this place. (Corning Journal)

April 27, 1855 - Default has been made in the payment of the sum of $16,319.89, which is claimed to be due at the date of this notice on a certain mortgage bearing date the 29th day of November 1859, executed by the Corning and Blossburg Railroad Company to John Magee of Bath, in the County of Steuben ... notice is given that in pursuance of a power of sale contained in said mortgage and of the statute in such case made and provided the premises described in and covered by said mortgage, to wit: all and singular the rail road of said Corning and Blossburg Rail Road Company, situate in the County of Steuben and State of New York, and extending from the village of Corning in said county to the Pennsyvania State line, together with the lands, tracks, lines, rails, bridges, ways, buildings, erections, fences, walls, fixtures, privileges, franchises and real estate, owned by said company at the time of the execution of said mortgage ... will be sold at public auction at the Dickinson House in the Village of Corning on the 7th day of July, 1855, at two o'clock P. M. - John Magee, Mortgagee - dated April 13, 1855 (Corning Journal)

June 1, 1855 - The Annual election for Directors of the Blossburg and Corning Railroad Company, will be held at Bath in the Directors room of the Steuben County Bank, on Wednesday, the 13th day of June next between the hours of two and three o'clock P.M. - Duncan S. Magee, Sec'y. (Corning Journal)


Tioga RR Schedule c. 1858

August 10, 1855 - It was Mr. Magee's enterprise, sagacity, and good judgement that caused the contract and completion of the N. Y. and Erie R. R. from Binghamton to Corning. Others in that rich company that he headed, filled their stations and acted well in their parts, yet John Magee was the master spirit. When the Buffalo, Corning and New York Rail Road was started, Mr. Magee again took the lead, and has to this day stood by the company aiding it with his vast means without seeking to fill his pockets from or through its construction, while others equally bound to do their duty, have pocketed large profits and left the Road to struggle to a completion or fail in the effort. (Corning Journal)

April 1, 1858 - This afternoon the Locomotive on the Tioga Railroad was thrown off the track at Lindley, and capsized. The Engineer Mr. John Forbes of this village was so badly scalded that his life is despaired of. P. S. - He has since died. (Corning Journal)


spacer Coal from Fall Brook

April 17, 1859 - The Fall Brook Coal Company was incorporated on April 7, 1859, following several years of exploration in the region. The officers were Hon. John Magee, president; John Lang, secretary and treasurer; Duncan S. Magee, superintendent, and Humphries Brewer, civil engineer. Its charter allowed it to mine coal in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and build a rail line from its mines to the Tioga Railroad at Blossburg. In addition John Magee acquired land in Watkins, New York, and built coal trestles and complementary facilities at "Coal Point" on the shore of Seneca Lake, to allow the loading of barges to transport coal up to the Erie Canal.

July 14, 1859 - It will be seen by advertisement that 300 laborers are wanted on the Fall Brook Railroad near Blossburg; liberal wages are promised to be paid monthly. (Corning Journal)

September 1, 1859 - Hon, John Magee has purchased 6,000 acres, of valuable mineral land, lying six miles from Blossburg, Pa., and is now building a railroad six and one-third miles in length connecting with the Tioga Railroad at Blossburg. (Hornellsville Tribune)

Fall, 1859 - The Fall Brook railroad was completed to the new village of Fall Brook in the autumn of 1859. During the year work had been vigorously prosecuted. A saw-mill was built for the company at the falls by George Kichter; coal chutes were erected at the mouth of Drift 'No. 1, by Mr. Brockway; thirty or forty dwellings were hastily constructed, and a supply store erected on the site of the present hotel building ... Boarding houses, blacksmith shops, and carpenter shops were also built, and a great enterprise successfully established in what, but a few months before, was an unbroken mountain wilderness.
Samples of this coal were shipped by Mr. Magee to a number of leading manufacturing concerns throughout the country, including the repairing departments of several railroads, from all of whom came reports and testimonials, certifying to its superior quality, and assuring for it an immediate and profitable demand. The mining of coal at Blossburg, under lease, was abandoned and the fixtures removed to Fall Brook. Shipping depots were established at Coming, with Andrew Beers as agent, and at Watkins, with John Lang as agent. Valuable franchises were obtained at both places, and trestles and chutes erected to facilitate the handling of coal. (Compiled from History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania - Munsell, 1883)

January 16, 1860 - The extension of the Corning and Blossburg Railroad (Tioga) , from Blossburg up Morris Run, a distance of seven miles, is nearly completed. The first coal train from the new mines passed down on Thursday evening last. This new coal is said to be superior to any bituminous coal in the State. (Corning Journal)

April 1, 1860 - Duncan S. Magee, superintendent, announced the opening of the mines at Fall Brook, and that "the Fall Brook Coal Company had ample facilities for shipping this coal at Corning by canal and railroad, and have also arrangements for delivery directly from the mines by rail at Watkins, at the head of Seneca Lake, and there transferring it to the enlarged Erie Canal boats." (Compiled from History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania - Munsell, 1883)

August 8, 1860 - A number of citizens of Wellsboro are to make an excursion on the 5th to the Fall Brook Coal Mines, seven miles above Blossburg. They will be accompanied by a Cotillion and Brass Band. (Corning Journal)

October 2, 1862 - On the 15th of October, the ten years' lease expires, by which the Tioga R. R. Co., have run that portion of the railroad (between Corning and Blossburg,) from the State Line to this village, which section is the property of John Magee, of Bath. Mr. M. intends to run his own road from that date, and thus all Passengers and Freight will change cars, at or near Lawrenceville. Mr. M. has appointed Mr. A. N. Rogers as Superintendent. Mr. R. has had much experience as a Civil Engineer in the construction of Railroads, and as Chief Engineer was engaged, previous to the opening of the war, in constructing an important rail road in Georgia. (Corning Journal)

November 13, 1862 - This afternoon about three o'clock, the loaded coal train coming north on the Tioga Railroad came in collision with an empty train going south, three miles above this village. (Update November 20, 1862) We should have said "The Blossburgh and Corning Railroad" ... The verdict of the jury censured the Superintendent, Mr. A. N. Rogers, who was running the down coal train and Mason Van Scoter, Engineer of the up train, the latter for running without a conductor, the former for running out of time, contrary to his own rules. (Corning Journal)

Morris Run Mining village
Morris Run Mine Head and Village 
Photo courtesy blossburg.org 

November 27, 1862 - Morris Run Mines. Some weeks ago we visited these mines ... It had been twenty-one years since we beheld Blossburgh - then an ambitious mining village ... now sobered by realities, a quiet and decided dilapidated village - a hamlet, it might be more propriety be called, were it not for numerous vacant houses. ... The abandonment of the mines near the village, for those richer or more readily worked a few miles beyond, has diminished the population materially ... the Morris Run Mines are four miles beyond Blossburgh, and the Fall Brook Mines some six miles up another valley ... (Corning Journal)

January 22, 1863 - (John Magee) has purchased 6,000 acres of land in Ward township. In the summer of 1859 he built a railroad from Fall Brook to Blossburg, of about seven miles in length, expending about $80,000 in the work. In the fall of that year he opened the coal mines and built houses about Fall Brook, in which he expended $60,000. He has upon the railroad now seven engines which are worth at a low estimate $50,000 more. In 1860 John Magee transported over this road seventy-one thousand tons of coal and provided his own cars to carry it in. In 1861 he transported over the Tioga Railroad eighty thousand tons, and in 1862 one hundred and thirty-seven thousand tons. The Tioga Railroad charges him for the use of their road 30 cents per ton, he furnished cars. (Tioga Agitator)

February 12, 1863 - The Tioga Company and Mr. Magee together have established long since, a tariff of freight &C. over the road. The freight thus received has been divided between the two roads upon the following basis: The whole road is 41 miles length, of which 26 miles belong to the Tioga Company, and 15 miles to Mr. Magee. Of all freight received, Magee received 15/41 and the Tioga Company 26/41. He sends coal over the road - say one ton, for example. He is charged for the freight and credited with 15/41 of the amount, or over 1/3 of the whole freight. In addition to this he is allowed on all coal sent to tide water and to certain other points a deduction of 20 per cent on the gross amount of freight charged on such coal. (Tioga Agitator)


Notice from John Magee 
Thanks to Gwen Moshier  

April 9, 1863 - Mr. L. H. Shattuck, Superintendent of the Tioga Road, is also Superintendent of the Passenger Trains on the Blossburg & Corning R. R. This obviates change of Engines or Conductors at Lawrenceville. (Corning Journal)

April 16, 1863 - The Fall Brook Coal Company's improvements at this place, the work required in their Machine Shop, and the renewal of active business at the Corning Foundry, have made an unusual demand for labor, and there has never been such a demand for dwelling houses as there is this spring. (Corning Journal)

June 16, 1864 - It is reported that Mr. John Magee, now of Watkins, has given $20,000 to the Presbyterian Society of that village, to build a Church edifice. (Corning Journal)

June 23, 1864 - The Fall Brook Coal Co., have a gang of men employed in leveling the ground west of the Blossburgh Depot in this village, for the purpose of storing coal for the retail trade. (Corning Journal)

June 23, 1864 - The Tioga Railroad Co. and Fall Brook Coal Co. are constructing a line of Telegraph from Corning to Fall Brook. It is to be in working order by the 1st of August, and aside from its usefulness to the Companies, will be of great service to the people along the line. (Corning Journal)

September 16, 1864 - Fall Brook's petition to be incorporated as a borough was granted. The borough embraces about six thousand acres of land owned exclusively by the Fall Brook Coal Company ... it contains a population of about one-thousand persons, who are engaged in mining, lumbering, etc. ... There was a saw mill, coal chutes, thirty to forty crude dwellings, a supply store, boarding houses, blacksmith shops, and a carpenter shop along with a schoolhouse ... churches ... and a company store. In the fall of 1864, a telegraph line was completed between Corning and Fall Brook ... The Fall Brook Hotel was completed in May, 1865 ... the railroad depot opened in December 1865. (Compiled from History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania - Munsell, 1883)


The Borough of Fall Brook showing the company store.
Photo courtesy blossburg.org 

The Fall Brook Hotel
Photo courtesy blossburg.org 

Borough of Fall Brook showing Coal Schutes
note Fall Brook Hotel in upper left and locomotive with cars waiting to enter the chutes on the right. Photo courtesy blossburg.org

February 23, 1865 - It is announced that the Hon. John Magee & Sons, of Watkins, the proprietor of the well known "Fall Brook coal mines" have purchased ten thousand acres of land near the mouth of the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning, and near the line of Potter and Cameron counties, which is said to contain petroleum, salt, iron, coal, copper and lead, in considerable quantities, and is of untold value. The wealth and business energy of this company is a sufficient guarantee for the full development of the property and oil wells will be sunk, and coal shafts opened at an early day upon this tract. (Corning Journal)

May 4, 1865 - An extract from the Buffalo Sentinel stated that Edward Moran of this village was about to organize a union at Elmira and Watkins. These companies and businessmen give notice that as they consider such Unions detrimental to employees as well as employers, they covenant and agree to discharge from employment, refuse to employ and remove from their houses any person who may join such a Union as exists at Corning, Morris Run and Fall Brook. [Signed by the Morris Run Coal and Fall Brook Coal Companies] (Watkins Express)

June 15, 1865 - The Fall Brook and Morris Run Companies are now running four Coal trains daily to Watkins. (Corning Journal)

July 1865 - Originally, the coal was sent in Fall Brook-owned cars to the Tioga/ Corning and Blossburg Railroad. It was carried to Corning and loaded onto canal barges on the Junction Canal of the Chemung Canal. Once it arrived in Horseheads, the Elmira, Jefferson and Niagara Falls Railroad [formerly the Chemung Railroad] was used to carry it to Watkins. The trestles at Watkins were used to load the coal onto barges on Seneca Lake, and it was taken north to Geneva. Once in Geneva it could be put on the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad or on the Erie Canal via the Seneca Canal. Magee never liked the canal route, however; it was closed in winter, and was not kept up properly. Efficiency was important to him. In July, 1865, permission was received that allowed a railroad track, called the Magee switch, to be built from East Tioga Avenue in Corning to Hope Cemetery, thus connecting the Corning and Blossburg line with the Erie Railroad. The Erie Railroad was used to carry the coal to Horseheads instead of the Junction Canal. (The Crooked Lake Review- A Biography of John Magee - Gary M. Emerson, 2001)

August 10, 1865 - In referring to the improvements near Watkins made by the Onandaga Salt Co., and Morris Run Co., for the shipment of coal, we inadvertently located them at Long Point, instead of Coal Point as it should be. The former is some distance down the Lake. The latter is on the west side within perhaps two miles of Watkins. (Corning Journal)

Coal Point, Watkins, NY
Train at Coal Point, Watkins
Collection of David Rousar

A third rail was laid over the Northern Central, connecting by a curve with the Erie road at the junction south of Horseheads, so that trains passed direct from the Tioga road to Watkins without change of cars or contents. Coal Point became the scene of more activity than any other on Seneca Lake.

September 14, 1865 - A short track for the coal trains is to be laid from the terminus of the Tioga Road in this village, intersecting with the Erie Railway near the Cemetery. The road bed is finished, and the track is soon to be placed thereon, when all coal trains will pass over that route instead of through Erie Avenue. (Corning Journal)

June 21, 1866 - On and after June 25th, 1866, there will be a passenger car attached to the Fall Brook Coal Co.'s Coal Train leaving Corning at 11 o"clock A. M., and connecting at Watkins with boat for Geneva. Returning leaves Watkins at 4:16 P.M. arriving at Corning at 7:37 P. M. Tickets can be procured at Fall Brook Coal Co.'s Offices at Corning at Watkins. For this great convenience the public are indebted to the enterprise of Hon. John Magee, who made the privilege a condition in making his contract with the Erie Railway for the transportation of coal. (Corning Journal)

July 5, 1866 - The new Meetinghouse for the Presbyterian Church, of Watkins, for which John Magee gave $30,000 has been commenced. (Corning Journal)

October 11, 1866 - The new coal company called the Bloss Mining Company, have at large expense opened their mines and constructed a railroad from Blossburgh thereto. We believe there are over two thousand feet of trestle work on the road ... the mines are four miles west of Blossburgh, in nearly the opposite direction from the Morris Run Mines. (Corning Journal)

December 6, 1866 - The Fall Brook Coal Company advertise in the Watkins Express to retail Blossburg Coal, at the yard, for from five dollars to five dollars and a half per ton. (Corning Journal)

February 4, 1867 - An important purchase was recently effected by the Bloss Mining Company of a controlling interest in the stock of the Tioga Railroad (running from the State Line, near Lawrenceville, to Blosburg [sic] ... The Bloss Mining Co. have now a railroad about twenty-seven miles in length, and are in a position to push forward with more vigor their mining operations at their mine which was opened last fall. (Corning Journal)

May 16, 1867 - Mr. Geo. R. Brown has been appointed Train Dispatcher and Superintendent of the Tioga Telegraph. (Corning Journal)

July 18, 1867 - Hon. John Magee, whose protracted illness has heretofore prevented him from taking his seat in the Constitutional Convention, left for Albany on Monday last. (Corning Journal)

August 24, 1867 - The contract between the Tioga Railroad Company and the Blossburg and Corning R. R. Co, was made in 1863, and provides that each shall have the right to run over the road of the other party, that all necessary side tracks and switches shall be made for passing trains, and for unloading all freight except coal, that each shall pay one cent per ton of coal per mile of trackage, and that the through distance shall be deemed 26 miles on the Tioga, and 15 miles on the Blossburgh and Corning road. Immediately after signing the contract, Hon. John Magee, who is the owner of the B & C Road, and proprietor of the Fall Brook mines, stated before witnesses that he considered it to be 14 miles from State Line to the Erie crossing west of Corning. (Corning Journal)

August 24, 1867 - The citizens of Lawrenceville and Wellsboro are happy. There is a prospect for a Railroad from the former to the latter village. The proposed route is up the Cowanesque six miles, thence up a creek to the summit, and thence by a small creek to the vicinity of "Potter's" in Middlebury, and so on by an easy grade to Wellsboro. The distance is three miles less than by the Tioga. The Fall Brook Coal Company have subscribed half a million of dollars and paid in one tenth. If the citizens of Wellsboro and Lawrenceville do not carry it through now, they have no public spirit, and the people of the "Boro" will deserve to be for all time to come outside barbarians. A railroad to Wellsboro would add fifty percent to the value of all real estate, in the corporation. P.s. Since the writing the above we learn by the Agitator that the construction of the proposed railroad depends "upon the finding coal in paying quantity in the Wilson Creek Basins". So that it would seem to be quite an uncertain enterprise after all. (Corning Journal)

August 31, 1867 - [Letter from John Magee excerpt] At the date of the contract there was no connection between the Blossburg and Corning, and Erie Roads, except by what was known as the Bostwick Switch, near the center of this village, over which the Fall Brook Coal trains for Watkins passed on to the Erie. The Fall Brook Coal Company about this time put in a spur to connect their coal works with the Erie Road for their convenience and at their expense, and not as a part of the Blossburg and Corning Railroad. Afterwards the Bostwick switch became dilapidated and the Fall Brook Watkins trains passed on to the Erie Road over their own private track near the crossing. (Corning Journal)


FBCCo. Lantern
Collection of Jim Raffa

September 14, 1867 - John Magee, the repudiated politician, who retired into peaceful seclusion some 30 years ago at the command of the people, is now trying to save himself from another Waterloo defeat. This time he will be disposed of for life. (Corning Journal)

November 7, 1867 - In this town, most of the shippers were openly for Mr. Magee, for the assumed reason that the Canal interests of this port would be promoted by his election, while Mr. Cook was declared to be opposed to all needed improvements ... Mr. Magee possesses an unusual popularity as a Bank President, and those who had secured in him a friend ever ready to oblige, found it difficult, if not impossible, to array themselves against him. (Corning Journal)

Late 1867 - The Blossburg Coal Company purchased the Tioga railroad, extending from Blossburg to Lawrenceville and from Blossburg to Morris Run, which added to their own road made them the owners of thirty-four miles of first-
class railroad. (An outline History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania - Gazette Company, 1885)

January 16, 1868 - The Wellsboro papers contain an obituary notice of the late Humphries Brewer, Superintendent of the Fall Brook mines. He was a native of England, and was in the fifty-first year of his age at his death. He came to this country twenty years ago, having been previously engaged as a civil engineer in constructing a bridge over the Danube [This history is under some dispute. Ed.] ... by his judgement, Hon. John Magee was guided in the purchase of land in which the Fall Brook mines lie, and all that has been done to develop the extensive coal beds there, has been under his direction. Mr. Magee once informed us that in every instance, explorations for coal had more than justified the statements of Mr. Brewer. His sagacity and judgement directed the enormously expansive operations, which have made the Fall Brook mines one of the best paying coal properties in the country. (Corning Journal)

February 20, 1868 - James Heron, of Fall Brook has become Manager of the Fall Brook Coal Co., the position vacated by the death of H. Brewer. (Corning Journal)


Blossburg, Corning & Tioga Schedule
June 11, 1868

March 20, 1868 - Wellsboro and Lawrenceville Railroad was incorporated. It built a line from Lawrenceville to Wellsboro in 1871, and was extended the next year from Wellsboro to Antrim, where Fall Brook Coal opened a new set of mines. (Wikipedia)

April 5, 1868 - Hon. John Magee died at Watkins, N.Y. The business of the Fall Brook Coal Company was suspended and a special train carried from Fall Brook and along the line more than a thousand of the employees of the company to his funeral. (History of Tioga County Pennsylvania, Munsell, 1883)

April 9, 1868 - The services [for John Magee] were held in the new Presbyterian Church, erected by Mr. Magee's generosity at a cost of $45,000, and it was a singular coincidence that this was the first religious service held in the church, as it has just been completed. (Corning Journal)

spacer Duncan S. Magee

April 10, 1868 - The late John Magee is succeeded as President of the Fall Brook interests by his son, Duncan S. Magee.

February 4, 1869 - Mr. A. H. Gorton, Supt. of the Blossburg & Corning Railroad, has left in our office some lumps of coal from Wilson's Creek, about eight miles from Wellsboro. The Fall Brook Company owns a large tract of land there ... surveys were made last year to determine a feasible route for a railroad, and one was found, running up the Cowanesque to Nelson, of Osceola, and thence to Wilson's Creek, by way of Wellsboro. As here is now positive evidence of the value of the coal deposits, the road will surely be built. (Corning Journal)

May 1, 1869 - Mr. D. S. Magee of Watkins is on his way to Europe, where he expects to spend time in traveling. (Corning Journal)

May 8, 1869 - Duncan S. Magee dies at Wiesbaden, Germany at the age of 37 years. The funeral will be held at Watkins. (Yates County Chronicle, May-June 1869)

June 3, 1869 - By order of Supt. Gorton, passenger cars were attached to the Fall Brook train leaving here at 10 o'clock for Watkins, to carry those who wished to attend the funeral of D. S. Magee this afternoon. The body arrived this morning from New York. (Corning Journal)

June 24, 1869 - The Corning Journal says that ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour, whose knowledge of men, and rare talents, entitles his opinion to unusual weight, stated some years ago that he regarded the late Duncan S. Magee of this village, as one of the ablest young men in the State of New Yortk. (Watkins Express)

spacer Gen. George J. Magee

Duncan S. Magee was succeeded (in 1869) as superintendent of the Fall Brook Coal Company by Gen. George J. Magee, under whose direction the survey and location of the railroad was completed, a steam sawmill erected and the work of opening up the mines and providing houses for the miners begun and carried forward until everything was in readiness for the mining and shipment of coal, which was begun upon the completion of the railroad. (Tioga County History, 1897)

January 12, 1870 - The Fall Brook Co. are building a railway from Lawenceville to their mines at Antrim, in the vicinity of Wellsboro, Tioga Co, Pa. (Watkins Express)


Tioga County Agitator - April 7, 1870 

March 9, 1870 - Sealed proposals will be received up to the fifteenth day of April at the office of the Fall Brook Coal Company, at Corning, NY, for the grading, masonry and fencing of about 12 miles of the Wellsboro and Lawrenceville Railroad. (Tioga County Agitator)

June 16, 1870 - A considerable party of gentlemen, prominent citizens of town along the line of the proposed Sodus Point & Southern Railway, recently made an excursion to Watkins, the Fall Brook mines and other points of interest, on the invitation of Gen. Magee and S. S. Ellsworth, Esq., President of the road. (Rochester Union and Advertiser)

November 2, 1870 - (during an excursion for several prominent Corning citizens to the Fall Brook mines) Blossburg was reached in due time and soon after the road entered a woody ravine, in which some four miles distant reposes the station of Somerville. There is no depot, and but one house in the settlement. This is where coal trains are made up, and where the up train changes engines to ascend the steep hillside. This is only achieved by a succession of zigzags, and thus backing and proceeding the height is gradually attained until the station of Fall Brook is reached. The "village" is mostly upon a plain or sloping surface, the crest of which is covered with timber. The dwellings are small, but substantial, and most are unpainted, of those which are in that portion of the hamlet, but a half mile distant is the other "wing" of Fall Brook, where houses are regularly located, and painted a uniform color. (Corning Journal)

November 10, 1870 - Last week ... two colored men in Watkins got into a fight in front of the Fall Brook Hotel. The Express says: "Two or three balls passed through the windows of Mr. B. F. Buck's store, and another went into the Fall Brook Hotel, lodging in a chair. We understand Mr. G. J. Magee was sitting at the time in the line of the ball, and if the chair had not stopped it, probably his own person would." (Corning Journal)


Coal train at Antrim - mid-1870s 

April 21, 1871 - The Fall Brook Coal Company, which runs the Bloss and Corning Railroad, has its machine and car shops here. These works employ about sixty hands in repairing and building new rolling stock for its road. The shops are thoroughly furnished with the best of machinery and amply provided with every facility to meet the growing demands made upon them. (Corning Journal)

June 22, 1871 - ... a dozen persons, of whom we were one, by the invitation of Supt. Gorton, went to Lawrenceville to see a bridge tested. It spans the river a mile above, on the new railroad (to Tioga and Wellsboro) and is a "Pratt's wrought iron truss, double triangulation bridge." It bore the weight of three engines and tenders, about 165 tons, and only deflected one inch. It is therefore a strong as well as beautiful bridge. The new railroad will be unsurpassed, judging from the portion we saw. It will be graded to Wellsboro in three weeks, and open there in September, from which it will extend to the mines at Antrim, on Wilson's Creek. (Corning Journal)

June 22, 1871 - John Magee (Jr.) is the President of a new coal company called the Wilkes-Barre & Seneca Lake Coal Company. (Corning Journal)

July 12, 1871 - The Agitator states that there is a good prospect for a railroad from Williamsport to the Arnot mines, and thence via Wellsboro to the State line, to connect with a road from Buffalo. It anticipates the day when Wellsboro will be a "station on the main line from Buffalo to N. Y." Stranger things have happened, but not often. (Corning Journal)

spacer Wellsboro and Lawrenceville R. R.

August 17, 1871 - The construction trains are running on the Wellsboro & Lawrenceville R. R. as far up as Middlebury. (Corning Journal)

October 26, 1871 - The Wellsboro & Lawrenceville Railroad was opened on Monday to within a half mile of Wellsboro. There was great excitement at the "Borough" at the near approach of the locomotive. Trains run regularly from Lawrenceville in connection with the Trains on the Blossburg and Corning. (Corning Journal)

1871 - The Fall Brook Coal Company completes a 38-mile railroad expansion from Lawrenceville, PA (at the New York State line) to the coal mines at Antrim, PA. The new road, the Wellsboro and Lawenceville, connects at Lawrenceville with the Corning & Blossburg Railroad. This will give the Fall Brook interests a rail line from the Erie Railway, at Corning, NY, to Antrim, PA - a total of 53 miles. They also own the six miles from Blossburg to Fall Brook. Also in 1871, plans were made to expand the line from Lawrenceville to Ekland, PA.

December 13, 1871 - A train of cars on the Wellsboro and Lawrenceville railroad made the first entry into the borough on Saturday afternoon last. A number of our citizens went down to take a ride into the borough on the first train. Look out for the cars when the whistle blows. (Tioga County Agitator)

April 10, 1872 - Wellsboro: Our new Depot and Freight house, are progressing finely. (Tioga County Agitator)

April 25, 1872 - At the saw mill at Fall Brook, on the 16th, there were cut by a circular saw in ten hours 24,300 feet of hemlock plank and 4,929 feet of boards making over twenty-nine thousand feet of lumber. This was a good day's work. (Corning Journal)


B&C and W&L Timetable - 7-18-72 
Corning Journal 

May 5, 1872 - Wellsboro: The new Depot has been painted and is ready for use. (Tioga County Agitator)

May 16, 1872 - The celebration at Wellsboro, in honor of the extension of the road to the Borough, will be on Wednesday next. A special train leaves Corning at ten A.M. (Corning Journal)

May 29, 1872 - The Wellsboro and Lawrenceville Railroad is to be formally opened today. There is to be a grand dinner at Wellsboro, and a happy time generally. (Watkins Democrat)

June 19, 1872 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee has been made a director of the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad. (Watkins Democrat)

July 29, 1872 - The Fall Brook Coal company has put a very handsome passenger car on the Wellsboro and Lawrenceville railroad. It is named "Wellsboro," and is a credit both to Gen. Magee and the village which bears its name. It is one of the finest cars that may be found upon any road in the United States. (Wellsboro Democrat)

August 1, 1872 - On Monday evening of last week, The Fall Brook Coal Company's new sawmill, at Antrim, Tioga County, was burned. Insurance $10,000; cost nearly $20,000. (Corning Journal)

November 2, 1872 - The Blossburg Coal Company and the Morris Run Coal Company are building a long trestle work near and to the north of the Erie Freight Depot. It has pockets on each side for the respective companies, and will enable each to re-ship coal rapidly. (Corning Journal)

December 5, 1872 - The track on the Cowanesque Valley Railroad is laid for a distance of about five miles from this place (Lawrenceville), and the road is fast approaching completion. (Corning Journal)

December 12, 1872 - Last Friday about dark, the mail train on the Blossburg Railroad was approaching Corning, when a half mile west of the railroad bridge, an accident occurred ... an axle of one of the forward coal dumps broke, and several dumps were thrown off. The checking of the speed lifted the express car from the track, and also throw off the mail and baggage car ... the express car went down the river bank, and turned bottom up on the ice. There were four persons within ... One end of the car broke through the ice and water rushed in. Conductor Way was thrown down into that end, tubs of butter rolled against and upon him, the safe moved against the tubs and the stove fell across his feet ... One bone of the left forearm of Conductor Way was broken and he was much bruised on his head, body and limbs .. Mr. Way was helped out, and went forward to the engine and rode to this village... it was a very narrow escape for Mr. Way. He has been a conductor for fifteen years, and this is the first time he has been injured, or that any serious accident has happened to his train. (Corning Journal)

December 9, 1872 - The Cowanesque Valley railroad bed is ready for the iron nails from Lawrenceville to Nelson (Beecher's Island), half way to Ekland.(Corning Journal)

spacer Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railroad

January 1, 1873 - The Blossburg & Corning and the Wellsboro and Lawrenceville merge into the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim (CC&A) which is leased by the Fall Brook Coal Co.

CC&A 
Schedule     CC&A 
Map


January 16, 1873 - The Blossburg & Corning, Fall Brook, Wellsboro & Lawrenceville and Cowanesque Valley Railroads have been consolidated and are hereafter to be known as the Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim Railway; owned and operated by the Fall Brook Coal Co. The length of these roads foot up the respectable figure of seventy-two miles, besides the switches and double track at the principal points.
Gen. Geo. J. Magee is president of the company, whose business, counting the coal and railroad business together, is greater than many of the so-called first class railroads.
Few comprehend how great and prosperous an institution the Fall Brook Coal Company has become in fifteen years - as each year passes, every interest connected with it improves and prospers. May its progress in the future, be the same ratio as in the past. (Corning Democrat reprinted in Watkins Express)

May 1, 1873 - The people of Watkins were greatly shocked on Friday afternoon of last week, April 25th, by an announcement of the sudden death of John Magee ... The deceased was the youngest son of the late Hon. John Magee, and at the time of his death was nearly twenty-nine years of age ... He was a young man of superior intelligence, of noble and generous impulses, unostentatious and unassuming in his demeanor, and has a record of many charitable deeds written in the hearts of those who were the subjects of his benevolence ... He has twice made the tour of Europe, and resided there several years ... For several years past Mr. Magee had become greatly interested in the propagation of fish, and supplying the rivers and lakes, in this section of the State, with choice varieties ... The procession was large and imposing, consisting of some 25 carriages, and a great number of people on foot - many of whom were from Penn Yan, Geneva, Elmira, Corning, Fall Brook, Bath and other places. (Watkins Express)

May 2, 1873 - The news of the death of John Magee (Jr.), which occurred at the residence of his brother, Gen. George J. Magee in Watkins created the greatest surprise in this city ... was at the time of his death about twenty-nine years of age ... it seems strange that a young man so full of promise, with such natural capacity and disposition to do good, and abundant means to carry out his every wish, should be so prematurely taken away ... his death causes the most painful sorrow in Watkins. (Corning Journal)

May 2, 1873 - Most of our prominent citizens went to Watkins to attend the funeral of Mr. John Magee (Jr.). A special train of four cars was run in charge of Supt. Gorton. Conductor Way, of Corning, was one of the pall-bearers. (Corning Journal)

spacer The Legend of #13 - "Sam Patch"

August 8, 1873 - At Watkins, Fall Brook engine no. 13, while switching cars in the yard, was struck by cars coming from the trestle works, and also by cars of its own train, which had been cut off. The Engineer, Myron Stratton of Corning, reversed the engine, and tried to prevent the concussion but could not. He jumped off, and claims to have shut the throttle, as he did so, and that the shock opened the valve, as the engine immediately ran upon the trestle works to the extreme end, and leaped over the canal boats lying underneath, falling into the water. It sank some thirty feet from the end of the trestle ... to those on the canal boats it seemed that some fierce monster was about to crush them. (Corning Journal)

August 15, 1873 - The locomotive that run off the trestle at Watkins, "jumped" farther than reported, falling from a height of forty feet, and plunging into the lake seventy-eight feet from the end of the trestle. Mr. Coddington, of Geneva, has contracted to get the locomotive out. (Corning Journal)

August 21, 1873 - The Fall Brook engine that recently jumped into the Lake from the north end of the Company's trestle work in this village, is being raised - Geo. M. Coddington, of Geneva, having the difficult job in charge. He understands the ropes and chains to perfection, and will soon land the submerged monster, and place it once more in the way of repairs and further service. (Watkins Express)

September 19, 1873 - The Watkins Express states that the locomotive that jumped into the lake is there yet, the forward end being fifteen feet deep in quicksand. (Corning Journal)

spacer Sam Patch
Railway Age

December 18, 1873 - The Fall Brook engine, that last summer leaped from the Company's trestle-work over 80 feet into Seneca Lake, is again on the track, and in fine running order. It has been very appropriately re-christened, and is to be known as "Sam Patch." (Watkins Express)

February 5, 1874 - The Corning Democrat says: "Sam Patch", the Fall Brook Company's engine, which was immersed in Seneca Lake last summer, is bound to keep before the public. Its latest freak was to run off the track at the Tioga Depot, scoop up the platform, and crowd itself up close to the Depot building. James May, the fireman, has a leg broken. A number of cars were wrecked." So it would seem that the report which landed "Sam" at the bottom of the Tioga river was premature, We are informed, however, that the stop was but a few feet from the river, and that Sam was evidently making for water. (Watkins Express)

May 7, 1874 - Victor Gray, of Covington, is the oldest locomotive engineer in the country, he having been employed on the Tioga Railroad at its first opening. (Corning Journal)

May 28, 1874 - The Wellsboro Press says: The Cowanesque Valley Railroad will be sold at auction at next term of Court, and presumes that Gen. Magee will be the purchaser. (Watkins Express)

June 4, 1874 - A new mail car, built at the Fall Brook Car Shop, in Corning, has been placed on the railroad, and runs between Lawrenceville and Antrim. The work has been done in the best and most substantial manner, under the direction of Mr. I. C. Dow, who has charge of the car shop. (Corning Journal)

June 11, 1874 - Gen. George J. Magee, of Watkins, bought the Cowanesque Valley R.R., a branch of 12 miles from Lawrenceville to Ekland, at a sheriff's sale for $2,000. (Corning Journal)

June 11, 1874 - Miss Arabella Magee, (daughter of the late D. S. Magee,) of Watkins was lately married in Paris, has for her husband a young lawyer of New York City. (Corning Journal)

July 25, 1874 - The Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim Railroad and Tioga Railway have made arrangements to run an extra coach ... on Tuesday of each week, during the months of July and August to accommodate excursionists who desire to visit the coal mines at Fall Brook, Arnot, Morris Run, Antrim and Bush's Park at half-fare. (Corning Journal)

September 10, 1874 - The Rochester Democrat reports: A new coal company with a capital of one million dollars, all of which was subscribed in a single day, has been organized at Buffalo, under the direction of Gen. Geo. J. Magee, of Watkins. The mining lands which have been thoroughly inspected, are located in McKean and Elk counties, Pennsylvania. (Watkins Express)

September 17, 1874 - Gen. Magee put a special train on the road from Blossburg and Corning to Watkins to accommodate visitors to the Seneca Lake Regatta, last week. (Watkins Express)

November 12, 1874 - On the 5th and 6th insts., Gen. George J. Magee, of this village, in company with a party of gentlemen from Buffalo, his guests, visited the Fall Brook and Antrim coal mines. (Watkins Express)

Mines and Coal Station at Antrim
Mine Opening & Coal Station at Antrim

December 10, 1874 - The miners at Morris Run, Fall Brook, Arnot and Antrim are only having work one or two days in each week, as the Coal Companies have no market for the coal, in consequence of the financial embarrassments of the country. (Corning Journal)

December 10, 1874 - The Fall Brook Coal Company, of this village, has lost another canal boat. The Seneca Falls Reveille, of Friday, states that one day last week, as the steamer was towing boats down Cayuga Lake, one of the canal boats of the Fall Brook Company, No. 8, struck some rocks and sank at the end of the pier near the railroad draw-bridge. (Watkins Express)

April 15, 1875 - Mr. A. H. Gorton, Superintendent of the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railway, is in town again after a three weeks absence on the New York Central Railroad where he went to superintend the testing of the value of semi-bituminous coal for locomotive purposes. Forty tons of coal from the new mines, in McKean County, Pa., of which Geo. J. Magee, of Watkins is a leading proprietor, were used for the experiment, and the result was very satisfactory. (Corning Journal)

April 22, 1875 - Fred S. Bragg, who has been for fourteen years a locomotive engineer at Fall Brook, drawing all coal trains between there and Somerville, has removed to Corning. He is the oldest engineer in the service of the Fall Brook Company, and is one of the most capable, as well as experienced. (Corning Journal)

April 29, 1875 - Surveyors were in the town of Erwin ... surveying a railroad route (which) ... will unite the Tioga Railroad with the C&S (Corning and Sodus Bay), and shorten the distance for hauling coal, as well as render the Tioga road independent of the Fall Brook Company which owns the railroad from Corning to the State line near Lawrenceville. (Corning Journal)

May 6, 1875 - The Corning Journal says, it is predicted that the Fall Brook Coal Co., will build a railroad from Corning to Geneva to supply the N. Y. Central with Coal, Commodore Vanderbilt having given out that he will not take a pound of coal from canal boats. (Watkins Express)

May 27, 1875 - About midnight on Sunday there was a collision on the Blossburg track, a mile and a half above the Corning Depot. A Fall Brook coal train was coming when it met the Erie switch engine, which was taking empty cars to a switch of the Fall Brook Company ... the employees of both trains jumped and escaped safely. The engineer of the switch engine had no flag out, and therefore the Erie company is responsible for the damage.(Corning Journal)

July 29, 1875 - W. H. Freeman, Route Agent in Antrim, has received orders from the P.O.Department, to run from Corning to Wellsboro, the mail being sent on to Antrim in pouches, by freight train. Those visiting Antrim change cars at Wellsboro each way, and arrive at Corning at seven p.m., the mail train for Wellsboro reaching Corning at 3:35 p.m. (Corning Journal)

September 2, 1875 - A solid block of coal, taken from the Fall Brook mines, and weighing more than two tons, can be seen at the depot of the company in Corning. (Corning Journal)

September 16, 1875 - Train No. 22 on the Wellsboro road experienced an accident at the bridge just south of this village ... The train was running at the rate of about eight miles an hour. While passing through the bridge, a derrick, which sat upon the flat car, came in contact with a brace on the bridge, breaking the brace, which dropped down and obstructed the passage of the train, throwing some coal dumps and a passenger coach from the track ... There were some eggs and quite a quantity of blackberries on the train, these were scattered over the ground at a promiscuous rate (Tioga Express)

spacer Gen. Magee's Gamble - Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad

October 6, 1875 - The line road which is sixty miles in length, will be from Geneva southernly through Penn Yan, along the line of the old Sodus Bay and Corning road, to Savona, and thence to Corning. The tracks of the roads leading to the Fall Brook and Antrim mines are to be changed to the gauge of the N. Y. C. and these roads are to be operated in connection with the Central. This new route will furnish direct communication between Tioga county, Pa., and the southern tier counties of this State with Central New York. (Geneva Courier)

October 8, 1875 - A Railway company has lately been organized under the name of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway Company, for the purpose of building a railroad from Geneva, N. Y., southerly, through Penn Yan, and upon or near the line of the old Sodus Bay and Corning Road to Savona, and from that place by way of Gang Mills, near Painted Post, or by way of Corning, to connect with the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railway ... The road is to be the same gauge as the New York Central, to which gauge the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railway is to be changed ... is to be operated in connection with the New York Central Railroad, thereby opening to our people a narrow gauge, through route, for both passengers and freight. (Geneva Gazette quoting Corning Journal)

October 13, 1875 - On Friday last, W. H. Vanderbilt, accompanied by several other of the officers of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. passed over this division of the Central railroad on a tour of inspection. The train stopped at this station for some minutes, giving the party opportunity to examine the proposed connection with the new road to be constructed from Geneva to Corning. (Geneva Courier)

October 20, 1875 - ... it is more than suspected that Vanderbilt is at the bottom of a project for consolidating immense mining interests and effecting the strongest organization for the production and sale of coal in existence. (Geneva Courier)

November 3, 1875 - The Crooked Lake Canal, from Lake Keuka to Seneca Lake, has been abandoned by the State - the lock tenders and other employees discharged. (Geneva Courier)

November 17, 1875 - The Citizens of Penn Yan and vicinity held a public meeting at the Opera House, on Friday evening to decide what could be done to secure the location of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Rail Road, through that village. (Geneva Courier)

November 24, 1875 - The citizens of Dundee are making great exertions to secure the Syracuse, Geneva, and Corning Railroad by the way of that village. They offer $10,000 and the right of way. (Geneva Courier)

November 26, 1875 - It is authentically announced that the N. Y. C. & H. R. Co. has signed a contract for building the Geneva & Corning Railroad. In such hands the new road is sure to go through, making the fourth in the network of roads concentrating here. ... These facilities must add immensely to the trade and industries of our village. (Geneva Gazette)

December 30, 1875 - It has been decided to build the railroad from Corning by the way of Post Creek to Beaver Dam, to the head of the Glen, a mile and a half west of Watkins, thence to Dundee village and from there to Dresden and Geneva. It is an almost direct line between Corning and Geneva, and the distance is fifty-seven miles. (Corning Journal)

January 5, 1876 - At a meeting of the directors of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway Co., held at the Fall Crook Canal (sic) Company's office, in this village, the route of the new proposed railway, was determined upon and established by a decisive vote of 10 to 2. The eastern survey line was chosen, namely from Corning through the valley of Post Creek to Beaver Dams, thence to Townsend, thence to Watkins, crossing the glen not more than a mile and a half from the entrance, passing northward about half a mile west of the Lake View hotel and Glen Mountain House, and onward between Rockstream and Reading Centre to Dundee, and thence in a bee line through Himrods, where it crosses the Northern Central, and through Dresden to Geneva. To all intents and purposes, this is a new railroad for Watkins, connecting it with the Erie at Corning on the south, and with the New York Central at Geneva on the north. The depot will be located between the Lake View Hotel and the first big basin, on the upper level of Glen Mountain, about 700 feet above Seneca Lake ... Watkins is in jubilation over the location of the route, hails the new railway as a blessing, and takes courage. (Watkins Democrat)

January 5, 1876 - The people of Watkins, generally, feel very grateful to Gen. Geo. J. Magee, for his active influence in location the new Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad, in such proximity to this village, that the enterprise cannot but prove an element of prosperity, instead of an injury to this place. (Watkins Democrat)

January 25, 1876 - As predicted, strong opposition is manifested to the appropriation of land for such purpose [the Geneva & Corning] either under or above water along the shore line in our village. Our citizens directly affected hope they will not be forced into a contest in the matter, but will "fight to the the bitter end" if fight they must to prevent the road taking the latter route. (Geneva Gazette)

February 3, 1876 - Watkins is quite happy in the prospect of a new railroad from Corning to Geneva, although it is to pass a mile and a half west, on the hill, some seven hundred feet above the level of the lake, but it is already called "our railroad." as it runs near the upper portion of the glen. (Corning Journal)

February 25, 1876 - The engineer corps, we learn, are progressing slowly with the work of surveying and definitely staking out the line for the Geneva & Corning railroad. The shore line is a fixed fact. They have reached a point in their approach to the village about two miles south of Glass Factory bay, and are so minute and thorough in examinations as to proceed only at the rate of 100 rods per day. (Geneva Gazette)

March 1, 1876 - The Fall Brook Coal Co., in this village have purchased the rolling stock of the Morris Run company, and the latter company seems to have been virtually merged into the former. (Watkins Democrat)

March 2, 1876 - Gen. George J. Magee has presented to our citizens, to be placed in the front room of the Post Office, a portrait of his distinguished father, the Hon. John Magee, deceased ... Hon. John Magee was for thirty years one of the most distinguished citizens of Steuben County, distinguished for his sagacity, enterprise and liberality. His immense business operations did much, directly and indirectly, for the prosperity of Corning, and all citizens honor the memory of this remarkable and useful man. (Corning Journal)

March 8, 1876 - The Fall Brook Coal company has recently put on a new engine, said to be the best on the road. It is named the "W.S. Nearing" (#17) as a compliment to the efficient superintendent of the Morris Run mines. (Williamsport Gazette Bulletin)

March 17, 1876 - A late survey of the water route for the Corning & Syracuse railroad reaching half way up the bank, has a roused our citizens in all sections of the village to the highest pitch of indignation. It will prove unsafe to the railroad to trespass so far on the rights of our people. No one can or will countenance such a wanton and outrageous appropriation and destruction of the most beautiful part of the village. "They'll fight first."(Geneva Gazette)`

March 17, 1876 - "Now that the water route is chosen by the managers of the Geneva and Corning Railroad where there are no fences to build, no barns or dwellings to pull down, (boat houses excepted) no fields of grain to be destroyed by fire from the cinders of the locomotives...then we have a great shaking among the dry bones! Let it come. A little coal dust and a little life will be beneficial to Main St. and its inhabitants." ( Letter to the Geneva Gazette, 1876, from “Seneca Farmer”)

March 17, 1876 - The shore route has been irrevocably adopted. The Engineer's line follows the land in entering the village to a point a little south of the long pier, where it diverges into the lake and passes a trifle easterly of all the buildings skirting the shore and down to the canal basin, where it again strikes shoreward, passes through Jones' lumber yard east of his planing mill, and enters Bradford street at Lake St. (Geneva Gazette)

March 29, 1876 - We believe no one longer doubts that the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway is to be constructed, and that too with unexampled vigor and dispatch ... Laboring men of Watkins shoulder your picks and shovels. Work on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning has begun, and work for all is at hand. (Watkins Democrat)

April 6, 1876 - H. G. Brooks, the locomotive builder at Dunkirk, was here Friday to see about narrowing up the rolling stock of the Fall Brook Railroad Company [sic]. (Corning Journal)

April 19, 1876 - Two hundred men and fifty teams are called for work on the new railway, near Watkins, on the south side of the Glen. (Watkins Democrat)

April 21, 1876 - Work is progressing vigorously under the contract of Smith & Dey on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad. (Geneva Gazette)

May 5, 1876 - If they go farther and fight the project simply to prevent its [SG&C] entrance into Geneva on any terms by this the most feasible route, they merit the contempt and scorn of every citizen who has at heart the growth, trade and prosperity of Geneva. And such a sentiment will be surely made manifest. (Geneva Gazette)

May 17, 1876 - The large canal boat "Capt. Dan,' built by the Fall Brook Coal Company .. a model craft, strong, symmetrical, neat as a new pin, and as a successful "public carrier" has no superior on the inland waters of the State. (Watkins Democrat)

May 17, 1876 - Geneva is threatened to be "left out in the cold" by Magee's railroad. He has got into circulation, the "scare" that if he cannot have his own way in locating the line of his road through the village, he will give Geneva the go by ... the people of Geneva have too much common sense to compel (an alternate) route to be taken in direct conflict with their own interests. (Watkins Democrat)

May 18, 1876 - There has been a delay at Geneva on the work of the new railroad to Corning, because the route ran along the lake shore and some of the property owners were obstinate about the right of way ... From Hamilton street to the steamboat landing it is over the water, to be upon piles, between which skiffs can pass. ... Considerable excitement has been caused in Geneva, by the difficulties thrown in the way, as the citizens generally are very anxious for the road. (Corning Journal)

May 19, 1876 - Further negotiations for right of way along the lake shore route have been consummated, and the contractors are going ahead all along the line of the S. G. & C. Railway. All rumors about change of route, or suspension of work, may be regarded as idle and without foundation. (Geneva Gazette)

May 31, 1876 - Mr. Miner, the agent of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad Co., for adjusting right-of-way claims, has been in Watkins for some days past, and we learn that, with but a very few exceptions, the entire route between Corning and Geneva has been arranged for satisfactorily. (Watkins Democrat)

June 7, 1876 - Work on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad has been temporarily suspended, because - as we understand it - the contractors were not able to realize on bonds which they had taken and expected to negotiate. We trust that the delay will be short, and feel justified in saying that all difficulties and hindrances will speedily come to an end .. Nothing is more certain that this road is to be built, and that too with as much dispatch as possible. (Watkins Democrat)

June 16, 1876 - The employees of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway Co. were paid off at the Company's office in Geneva last Monday. From the amount received, each man is at liberty to build a railroad of his own. (Geneva Gazette)

September 7, 1876 - On Friday, by the breaking of an axle, forty-one coal dumps, loaded, were thrown off the track two miles beyond Wellsboro. Most of them were broken up. It took till midnight of Sunday to clear the track. (Corning Journal)

September 14, 1876 - The Petition of the Geneva, Syracuse & Corning Railroad Company to the Commissioners of the General Land Office for grant of lands under water along the west shore of Seneca Lake in Geneva was taken up by said Board. (Corning Journal)

September 28, 1876 - Everybody rejoices that work has been resumed on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad. It is now certain of being pushed forward, as the Company cancelled the contract with the Contractors, because they didn't have the means to go on. (Corning Journal)

October 11, 1876 - The directors of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad were compelled, last summer, by the failure of Messrs. Vibbard, Ball & Stewart, to cancel their contract with those parties and to suspend operations along the whole line of the road. After several months of inactivity, work has again been commenced at Geneva, at the Corning terminus, and near the point where the road crosses Watkins Glen. .. The contract for completing the new road has been let to Gen. Magee, of this place, who has sub-let the same in sections of from 4 to 13 miles. (Watkins Express)

November 1, 1876 - The work on this road (Geneva & Corning) is in full progress and will probably pushed to rapid completion. This road extends from Corning through Beaver Dams, by Col. Green Bennett's place, and about one mile west of Watkins in a northerly direction along the west bank of Seneca Lake to Geneva. The bridge which spans the chasm formed by Watkins Glen will be the largest and most expensive structure. This will be nearly 300 feet in length and about 150 feet high. (Watkins Democrat)

November 3, 1876 - Work has been resumed and is being pushed with great vigor all along the line of the "Geneva, Syracuse & Corning Railroad." Already a portion of the rails are being delivered on portions of the line. (Geneva Gazette)

November 8, 1876 - Mr. Magee has now taken the matter in hand personally, and has become responsible for it. It is safe to say there will be no more suspensions for want of means; and by the 1st of July next the road-bed, it is promised, will be ready for the first trains to run over. Whether the rolling stock will be ready at that time we are not informed; but it is presumed that the resources of the Central road will be ample for the new line, till new engines, and cars, shall be ready. (Geneva Courier)

November 15, 1876 - The first rails have been laid at the Corning end of the S. G. & C. Railroad and the bridge abutments are going up as fast as a full force of stone masons can do the work. (Watkins Democrat)

November 16, 1876 - Work on the Geneva & Corning R. R. is progressing lively in this village. A large number of workmen are employed. One of the piers of the bridge is finished, and the second one is well underway. The laying of the track on this side of the river is advancing rapidly toward completion. (Corning Journal)

December 7, 1876 - Chapman Bros. of Watkins, have the contract to build the trestle work for the Geneva & Corning Railroad from the Steamboat landing at Geneva to Mile Point. Over two thousand piles will be driven and three fourths of a million feet of lumber have just been bought. (Corning Journal)

December 15, 1876 - Further bargains for right of way for the S. G. & C. Railroad have been concluded within a week past. Large quantities of piles and timber are being delivered in Geneva, some 700,000 or 800,000 feet being required for the trestle work over the water from the steamboat landing to Mile Point. Chapman Bros. of Watkins have this contract. It is said that the work of laying iron will be commenced on the whole line by March 1st, and probably completed within 30 days. (Geneva Gazette)

December 20, 1876 - Though the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad is being pushed forward to completion as fast as thirteen sub-contractors can hurry up the work, the right of way has been secured only in a few instances along that portion of the route lying within our corporate limits, says the Geneva Gazette, and the owners have rather high views as to the amount of compensation they should receive. (Watkins Democrat)

December 27, 1876 - The Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim Rail Road Company have just got out a new Freight Tariff which materially reduces Freights to all stations. (Corning Journal)

January 3, 1877 - The last of the piers for the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad bridge at Corning is completed, and the work of putting the bridge together is going forward as fast as possible. (Watkins Democrat)

January 4, 1877 - Already four cars of iron for the bridge has arrived, coming from Cincinnati via A. G. & W. and Erie railway on narrow gauge cars. These cars were run out on the trestle from the terminus of the new road to the river, and were the first cars to pass over any portion of the S. G. & C. line. The work of putting the bridge together will begin without delay. (Watkins Express)

January 10, 1877 - The great body of snow that has fallen has at length caused a stoppage of pretty much all work on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad route. We hear that a reduction of ten per cent on workmen's wages was made last week on a portion of the route and that some of the hands quit on that account. (Watkins Democrat)

January 11, 1877 - On Monday morning a coal train left for Watkins, drawn by two engines. On its return with empty cars, the engines were stuck in the snow near Horse Heads Junction. At midnight two locomotives from Corning went to the relief, and those got fast, and out of water. Another locomotive was sent, and on Tuesday morning the empty coal dumps were drawn here by five locomotives in advance. (Corning Journal)

January 18, 1877 - A commission ... has been appointed to appraise the value of certain lands in Geneva, to be taken for the S. G. & C. railroad, in cases where the owners and company have been unable to agree. The route as staked out extends along the waterfront above the long pier from 50 to 200 feet from the shore. (Geneva Gazette)

January 18, 1877 - A Lawrenceville correspondent of the Tioga Express says: "It is a topic of conversation in railroad circles that the Fall Brook Coal Company contemplates extending their line up the Cowanesque Valley to Salamanca, and thus open a new and short route to New York via the Cowanesque Valley, Corning & Geneva and New York Central railroad. (Watkins Democrat)

January 24, 1877 - The Yates Co. Chronicle, last week, says that the "bridge contractor is at work on the new railroad bridge of the S. G. & C. R. R. at this place, will have a gang of some twenty men at work this week. Mr. Solomon, of Watkins, the Pile Driver man is driving down the pegs for foundation of the abutments. Carts and gravel cars are kept moving doing the grading." (Watkins Democrat)

January 25, 1877 - The first span of the iron bridge for the Corning and Geneva Railroad is in position, and workmen are engaged on the second span. (Corning Journal)

January 30, 1877 - - The Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim road has inaugurated a new feature in local railroading, which must, we think, become decidedly popular. Coupon tickets are issued, good for twenty-five trips over the road between Corning and the several stations, at but little more than half the usual fare. The price of the tickets between Wellsboro and Corning is $18.75, making each trip 75 cents, or a little less than two cents a mile. This new arrangement will no doubt benefit the road, for it must increase passenger business; but it will just as certainly benefit the traveling public by the heavy reduction in fares. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 31, 1877 - The Morris Run and Fall Brook companies have transportation contracts with the Tioga Railroad Company (which wealthy corporation owns the road from Morris Run to Lawrenceville, 26 miles) for a long term of years, that will enable them to move any amount of tonnage from the Blossburg region over the new route - the shortest, most direct and easiest grade railway yet opened, or that apparently can be opened, between the bituminous coal fields of Northern Pennsylvania, and the interior of the Empire State; and all in addition thereto that will be needed in the way of transportation facilities to connect with the narrow gauge roads of the last named state, without change of cars, so far as the Morris Run mines are concerned, will be a third rail from Blossburg (four miles) to those mines, when heavy and continuous shipments will naturally follow, for unnumbered years to come. (Geneva Courier)

February 8, 1877 - The work on this end of the S. G. & C. R. R. is progressing beyond expectations. Contractor Gibbons has nearly two-thirds of the first six miles ready for the ties, and the bridge over the river will be completed before another week passes ... (Corning Journal)

February 8, 1877 - The Pine Creek and Jersey Shore railroad is now talked of as a sure thing. (Corning Journal)

February 14, 1877 - The right of way for the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad has been received from the Chemung river to Mile Point, with the exception of six cases in Yates county, which are in process of commission. (Watkins Democrat)

February 22, 1877 - ...testing the bridge over the Chemung River ... narrow gauge (sic), four feet eight and a half inches, same as the N. Y. Central, Northern Central, and Lehigh Valley Railroads. The test was made by three heavy locomotives and tenders, and a car partly laden with iron rails ... It was a cheering sight to behold the locomotives upon the track of a railroad that is to connect Corning with the rich and populous counties of Yates and Ontario, and the central section of the State ....Gen. Geo. J. Magee, of Watkins, is the contractor for building the road, a fact that renders it certain there will be no delay in pushing the work forward, and that it will be done in a most substantial manner. (Corning Journal)

February 28, 1877 - The Havana Journal learns that rails are being laid on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad near Beaver Dams - which means that the rails are laid as far as that point south of Corning. (Watkins Democrat)

March 7, 1877 - The bridge over the Chemung river at Corning, recently completed, was tested on Tuesday of last week. The superstructure is of iron and consists of three spans 167 feet each, and weighs 227 tons ... Says the Corning Journal: "The test was made by three heavy locomotives and tenders and a car partly laden with iron rails. The length of the span was such that some twenty feet of the 'train' extended beyond the span, but the weight upon the span was over one hundred and sixty tons, and the deflection was one and a half inches. Gen. Geo. J. Magee was present and various other prominent persons connected with the new railroad." (Geneva Courier)

March 20, 1877 - A few days ago a narrow gauge engine for the Tioga rail road arrived at Corning and attracted considerable attention. (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 21, 1877 - The bridge of the S. G. & C. R. R. over Glen Creek will be 152 feet high and cost $25,000. (Watkins Democrat)

March 23, 1877 - When the Commission appointed to take evidence and determine the amount of damages to be paid for right of way along our lake front for the S. G. & C. Railroad, met as per adjournment on Thursday of last week, proceedings were brought to a sudden standstill again by an unexpected and liberal proposition made to the Company by the landowners affected. ... We congratulate all parties interested on this amicable and mutually satisfactory adjustment of this controversy, and our citizens generally will be gratified to learn that it removes the last obstacle to the steady progress of the enterprise toward final completion. They may now feel the strongest assurance and confidence that this railroad will be in running operation by the ides of September. (Watkins Gazette)

March 15, 1877 - It is expected that the railroad between Corning and Geneva will be finished in July, so that trains will be run for both freight and passengers. (Corning Journal)

April 4, 1877 - The roads now comprising the C. C. & A. railway were, when constructed, all of a broad gauge or Erie standard; but a third rail has been laid between Corning and Lawenceville and the line through from the last named station to Antrim, and also that leading to Elkland, will be narrowed up in time to cooperate with the new route to Geneva, and the narrow gauge system of the New York Central and Hudson railway route, and all others in central, eastern, northern and western New York. The Fall Brook company's engines and cars are now being rapidly narrowed to the new gauge at Corning and will be ready for business under the new order of things, on the opening, in June or July next, of the new S. G. & C. road. (Geneva Courier)

May 2, 1877 - The track laying on the Corning and Geneva Railroad is progressing at the rate of half a mile a day. (Geneva Courier)

May 3, 1877 - The Geneva Courier says the pile driver of the S. G. & C. R .R., is at work in the large swamp at the end of the lake. (Corning Journal)

May 4, 1877 - Piles have been driven into the lake opposite each lot on the west shore, to which to remove sundry boat houses, in conformity with the terms of the grant of right of way for track of the S. G. & C. Railroad. (Geneva Gazette)

May 17, 1877 - The track on the Corning end of the new railroad is laid to Beaver Dams, about eleven miles from this village. (Corning Journal)

May 24, 1877 - Yesterday a muss occurred near Beaver Dams, on the new railroad. Sixty laborers had struck for advance of pay to one dollar and a quarter. Twenty men kept at work at one dollar. The strikers then drove them off, ate up the dinner in their pails, seized a flat car and started by "gravity" for Corning. Near Oldfields, they were met by the locomotive of construction train, which they seized, but abandoned afterwards. Today a portion of the workers compromised by going to work at nine shillings per day. (Corning Journal)

May 30, 1877 - The building of the Corning, Geneva and Syracuse railroad, is giving the much needed work to a large number of men. This road is looked upon as a great advantage to this section as far as obtaining supplies of lumber, coal, etc., are concerned, and also in shipping produce to market, as it makes direct connection with the N. Y. Central railroad, and it is hoped will succeed in reducing the high freight which we have been obliged, of late years, to pay. (Hammondsport Herald)

June 1, 1877 -

Georgy Magee
Or the Lament of South Main Street


Georgy Magee, when your railroad comes down,
Och hone! Georgy Magee;
It will ruin our lake, it will ruin our town ,
Och hone! Georgy Magee.
It will smoke up the air
And the good clothes we air,
It would make a saint swear.
Could but such a thing be;
And we can't use our boats
On which everyone dotes,
Och hone! Georgy Magee.
(Geneva Gazette)

June 12, 1877 - The Geneva Gazette has some funny rhymes to the air of "Widow Machree," entitled "the Lament of South Main Street." It recites the woes of the residents of South Main Street, Geneva, because of the building of the S. G. & C. railroad between that street and the lake. Nor does it spare our townsman, Gen. Magee. (Watkins Express)

Geneva 
Harbor
Geneva Harbor on Seneca Lake showing trestle of the Fall Brook Coal Company Railroad
Collection: Geneva Historical Society

June 13, 1877 - The Chemung Canal is doomed, the Governor having signed for its disposal by sale or abandonment next fall. (Watkins Democrat)

June 15, 1877 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad is being pushed rapidly towards completion. At the rate of progress during the past two weeks, the grade will be completed and ready for the rails about the middle of July. So that, if like progress has been made on the southern end of the line, we may harken to the shriek of the engine about September first.
There was capital to build this railroad - enough represented to build a thousand miles of such road. There was no bonding of towns, no cases of certiorari, no long pending litigations over right of way - qualified agents in the interest of the company arranged every detail, settled with hard cash for every purchase, and the road is a fixed fact.
It has been characteristic of the Magees to provide for every contingency. Failure to gain suitable terms with the Erie for transporting coal to Watkins, lead to the building of a road to the mines; and now to avoid long distances and heavy grades has lead to the building of this. Competition has also entered largely into the incentive. Rapid transits and low freight tariffs have added mightily to steam thoroughfares, and the S. G. & C. is not the least among the improvements of the last decade. (Geneva Gazette)

June 21, 1877 - The evening train on the Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim Railway, which left here just before six on Saturday, ran into a tree which had fallen across the track near Millimole's. The forward trucks were thrown off the track by the concussion, but beyond a slight detention no damage was done. (Corning Journal)


Gravel Run Gorge Bridge
From a stereo view by G. F. Gates of Watkins
Thanks to Richard Palmer
   

June 22, 1877 - It is currently reported that the New York Central railroad company has entered into contract with Mr. Thompson of Rochester for construction of a railroad from Geneva to Lyons, to connect at this place with the S. G. & C. railroad, and at Lyons with the N. Y. C. direct road .. the road it is further said is to be completed in ninety days. (Geneva Gazette)

June 28, 1877 - Capt. Wood of Hammondsport sent T. E. Rollins to Penn Yan to talk up a narrow gauge railroad to Dresden, to run on the tow path of the abandoned canal. The estimated cost is $75,000, of which Penn Yan is asked for $40,000. If such a work is done, the road would be extended to Branchport, and that would ensure its extension to Hammondsport, thus making a good like of yard wide railroad. It would be well for Penn Yan to push this project. (Corning Journal)

June 28, 1877 - The track of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad will be completed from Corning to Watkins Glen by the 1st of July. A train will pass over the road on the 4th, conveying to Corning the members of Glen Hose, Watkins, and all others who desire to attend the Fourth of July celebration in that village. (Watkins Express)

June 29, 1877 - The new iron bridge over Watkins Glen has been found to be six hundred and fifty feet above the level of Seneca Lake and only a mile distant from that sheet of water. (Watkins Express)

July 6, 1877 - Several hundred from Watkins and the town of Dix took the cars on the new road yesterday morning, to attend the Fourth of July celebration at Corning. Among the number from Watkins was Gen. Magee, director and principal owner of the road ... The extent to which people along the line of the S. G. & C. Railway availed themselves of this line to attend the celebration is an augury of the success of Gen. Magee's enterprise. Eighteen cars were in use to convey passengers thither and return. (Watkins Express)

July 11, 1877 - A narrow-gauge railroad between Penn Yan and Dresden is said to be among the speculations of the moment. (Watkins Democrat)

July 13, 1877 - The magnificent iron bridge which is to span the glen gorge about a mile from Watkins will be completed in about a month. The iron pier, rising from the bed of the stream to a height of about 150 feet, is nearly complete, and the truss on the northside is built out for some distance. (Geneva Gazette)

July 13, 1877 - Watkins station is 21.6 miles from Corning. The depot will be about one mile north of the Glen, on the boundary between the towns of Dix and Reading. (Watkins Express)

July 13, 1877 - The pile driving for necessary trestle work over the water is all done. Grading along the west bank of our lake is completed to within a few feet of connection with the trestle work ...we see no reason why the work of leveling up ready for the ties and iron throughout the entire length of this road cannot be achieved by August 1st ... the banks of the Seneca will echo and re-echo the locomotive's shrill whistle by the ides of September. (Geneva Gazette)

July 18, 1877 - Work on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad, the new line which will connect Geneva directly with the great Erie Railway, and undoubtedly add much to the business and wealth of this village, is going rapidly forward. Already trains have passed over the road between Corning and Watkins, and track laying is progressing at the rate of about mile a day. (Geneva Courier)

July 19, 1877 - It is reported that the N. Y. Central is to contract a branch railroad from Lyons to Geneva, thus meeting the Corning & Geneva Railroad, and connecting the old route and the four track straight line of the N. Y. Central. The distance is thirteen and a half miles on an almost level grade. Three months is stated as the time of completion. (Corning Journal)

July 20, 1877 - By tomorrow night we may expect the rails to be laid across the harbor for the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railway. After that undoubtedly a construction train with locomotive will run over the track, carrying materials for finishing, filling and ballasting the track. When the water route is passed and the workmen reach terra firma, the road will be pushed rapidly forward. (Geneva Gazette)


S. G. & C. Bridge at Dresden
From a stereo view by G. F. Gates of Watkins
sold at Taber's Indian Store, Watkins
and at the entrance to the Glen

July 25, 1877 - Dresden, ten miles south of Geneva, on the west shore of Seneca Lake, and on the line of the new Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway, in other days was an important business locality, and when Yates County was formed, came very near being made the county seat ... The new railway will be quite likely to wake up, and revivify the place .." (Watkins Express)

August 3, 1877 - A locomotive from the Fall Brook or Blossburgh road arrived in Geneva via Canandaigua, on Sunday last, and on Monday was set to work on the new road hauling a construction train. Its frequent passage up and down the west shore of our lake is marked with interest. (Geneva Gazette)

August 3, 1877 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee and two of his children were thrown from their carriage on Tuesday evening near the depot and the General quite seriously hurt. The horse was scared by the blowing off of steam by the locomotive, became unmanageable, and after running a short distance the carriage was overturned. (Watkins Express)

August 9, 1877 - Bids have been received this week by the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway Company for building station houses of depots at Post Creek, Beaver Dams, Moreland, Watkins, Reading, Rock Stream, Dundee, Dresden and Earl's ... At Watkins and Dundee separate freight depots will be built. (Watkins Express)

August 10, 1877 - Track laying on the G. S. & C. [sic] railroad has reached to Earl's storehouse and is proceeding at the rate of nearly one mile per day. At such rate this work will be completed to Watkins by the time the Glen bridge is constructed, which it is predicted will not be before Sept. 15th. (Geneva Gazette)

Big 
Stream Trestle
Big Stream Trestle on S. G. & C., 1877
From a stereo view by G. F. Gates of Watkins

August 24, 1877 - The tracklayers are so far from Geneva that they no longer return at night, but have transferred their headquarters to Dresden. They are pushing ahead with their work at the average rate of one mile per day, one day laying 6,200 feet. On Wednesday a "caboose" was added to the work train. (Geneva Gazette)

September 5, 1877 - An additional switch has been put in at the junction of the Geneva and Corning, and Central railroads, and excavation has begun for a turntable. (Geneva Courier)

September 20, 1877 - The track on the new railroad is laid to Dundee from Geneva. A dozen miles makes the connection with the track laid from Corning. (Corning Journal)

September 20, 1877 - The railway depots at Watkins, Beaver Dams and Rockstream, on the S. G. & C. road, have been commenced and the work is being rapidly pushed forward by the contractor, Mr. G. W. White. (Watkins Express)

September 21, 1877 - A train drawn by a Fall Brook locomotive passed through here last Friday P.M. bound for Geneva via Canandaigua. The train consisted of several loads of soft coal for fuel and balance of train of low dump cars loaded with men, horses, wagons and tools for working on the S. G. & C. R. R. (Geneva Gazette)

September 26, 1877 - The track layers on the S. G. & C. R. R. were last week to have reached Big Stream, where they are obliged to await the completion of the bridge across the stream before proceeding further south. (Watkins Democrat)

Big Stream Trestle
The last girder is placed on the Big Stream trestle.
Judging by the number of well-attired spectators it was a historic occasion,
signifying the connection of north and south rails.
From a photo by G. F. Gates of Watkins
Thanks to Dan Weinstock for sharing this.

spacer Opening of the Bridge Over the Glen

September 27, 1877 - In accordance with the announcement, the new iron bridge over the Glen, on the S. G. & C. R. R., was tested in the presence of a crowd of spectators. About two thousand persons ascended the hill to witness the trial excursion. (Watkins Express)

September 27, 1877 - The rails on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway will all be laid this week, and a continuous track, from Geneva to Corning, will enable construction trains to ballast the road and have it in complete running order in a very short time. (Watkins Express)

Bridge at 
Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen Bridge - S. G. & C., 1877
From a stereo view by A. D. Jaynes of Corning

 

S. G. & C. Train on Watkins Glen Bridge
From a stereo view by J. D. Hope of Watkins
Thanks to Richard Palmer and Bill Hecht for the scan

September 27, 1877 - A sigh of relief escaped many womanly and some manly breasts, as the [locomotive] "Antrim" (named in honor of the county in Ireland from which the father of the late Hon. John Magee, emigrated to this country) proudly passed the center of the northern span, and safely rested on the northern side of the gulf. The engine soon returned amid the waving of handkerchiefs and hats, above and below, and in a few moments again passed over, accompanied by the heavy Fall Brook Coal Company's locomotive, "J. P. Haskin," the bridge seeming to be no more tried, than as if a pair of feathers or fern leaves had been blown across by the wind. (Watkins Express) [Ed. Note - This complete article from the Watkins Express is the definitive examination of the construction and testing of the Watkins Glen bridge]

September 27, 1877 - By the invitation of Supt. Gorton, we were one of a coach full that went over the new railroad to see the iron bridge tested at Watkins Glen ... the test of strength was very satisfactory. It was made by three engines and several cars loaded with iron rails. The greatest deflection was not over two-thirds of an inch. There was a large number of persons present. (Corning Journal)


An early photo of work train on bridge

October 3, 1877 - The new iron bridge over Watkins Glen, recently built by the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway Company, was thoroughly tested last week Monday morning and not found wanting. Three locomotives, four cars loaded with iron and a passenger coach filled with people were run over it as the final test, the whole being estimated at 250 tons weight ... Watkins Iron Glen Bridge is 450 feet in length, height above water 150 feet ... the view presented in crossing the Bridge is wild, startling and thrilling and, in connection with this new route, it will give Watkins Glen a greater notoriety than it has hitherto enjoyed. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 10, 1877 - It is now considered certain that the new Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad will be continued to Lyons in the spring. The route has been surveyed and, we are informed that the construction of the road has been decided upon ... The road will be run for the present by the Fall Brook and Corning coal company [sic], but will eventually pass under the control of the Central. (Geneva Courier)

spacer Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad - First Train.

October 17, 1877 - The first passenger train from Corning through the new Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad arrived in Geneva about six o'clock last evening. It consisted of an engine and coach, and carried Gen. Geo. J. Magee, and officers and Directors of the road ... The party consisted of the following gentlemen: E. D. Worcester, D. W. Pardee, New York; C. H. Fisher, F. E. Worcester, J. Tillinghast, Albany; G. J. Magee, A. Hardt, J. H. Way, Daniel Beach, Watkins; A. H. Gorton, Corning; H. D. Opdyke, Jersey City; D. F. McPherson, Princeton, N. J.; Geo. H. Bowers, Rochester. (Geneva Courier)

October 18, 1877 - An inspection train ran over the S. G. & C. Railroad yesterday. Gen. Magee was accompanied by Gen. Supt. Tillinghast, of the New York Central, E. D. Worcester, private secretary to W. H. Vanderbilt, Supt. Burroughs of the Western Division N. Y. C. (Corning Democrat)

October 19, 1877 - On Tuesday evening last about 5:30 p.m., a train consisting of locomotive, tender and passenger coach, arrived in town per the new railroad, having passed over the entire route from Corning. Gen. Geo. J. Magee, Hon. Daniel Beach, of Watkins, A.H. Gorton, of Corning, and other invited guests of the former to the number making a respectable car-load, came as passengers.
The eastern train arriving about the same hour brought a number of distinguished officials of the New York Central Railroad to meet those of the new road and join them in a tour of inspection. Among the Central magnates were J. Tillinghast, General Superintendent; George H. Burrows, Division Superintendent; C. H. Fisher, Chief Engineer; E. D. Worcester, Secretary and Treasurer; F .E. Worcester, &c. The train bearing the consolidated party left for the south at 11 o'clock Wednesday forenoon; the excursion will embrace a trip clear through to the mines, and occupy the time.
The work of leveling and ballasting the road is progressing with all due dispatch. A World correspondent says the New York Central Company has determined to continue the line of the new railroad north to Lyons, and during summer travel run palace coaches from that terminus over the entire new route, enhancing the pleasure of a trip to Watkins and other famous resorts reached by this important connection. (Geneva Gazette)

October 19, 1877 - At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Canal Fund held Tuesday, a resolution was adopted authorizing negotiations for the sale of the Crooked Lake Canal to the Penn Yan and New York Railroad Company, which contemplates constructing a railroad from Penn Yan to Dresden, where it is to intersect the S. G. & C. track. (Geneva Gazette)

October 25, 1877 - The officials of the S. G. & C. R. R. passed over their road yesterday in a palace car from Corning to Geneva. They were to meet with W. H. Vanderbilt at Geneva. (Yates County Chronicle)

October 28, 1877 - It is expected that coal trains will be placed on the new Syracuse, Geneva and Corning road about the middle of November and passenger trains about the first of December. The road will at first be run by the Fall Brook Company, but it is believed it will eventually pass under the control of the New York Central ... The Geneva Courier thinks it certain that the road will be continued to Lyons in the spring. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 1, 1877 - The first freight sent over the Geneva & Corning Railroad was a car load of fruit and ornamental trees, shipped from Geneva to Wellsboro, Pa. (Watkins Express)

November 8, 1877 - The Canal Commissioners have sold the Crooked Lake Canal for $3,333 to the Penn Yan and N. Y. Railroad Company, which is to build a yard-wide road, on the tow path, running from Penn Yan to Dresden, a distance of over six miles. (Corning Journal)

November 12, 1877 - A new locomotive "Dundee," built at Schenectady, arrived for the Corning road on Monday. It drew a train of sixty flat cars for use on the road ...

November 14, 1877 - Work has begun on the round-house and turn-table of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad, about half a mile east of the Central depot. The foundations have been laid, and the work will be rapidly carried forward. (Geneva Courier)

November 16, 1877 - All are anxiously looking for a coal train on the S. G. & C. railroad, but we understand there is full two weeks work yet to be done in ballasting before it will be safe to run heavy coal trains. (iGeneva Gazette)

November 28, 1877 - The new railroad line from Corning to Geneva and Syracuse, will open for freight Monday Dec. 3d, and for passenger travel the same week. A Wagner sleeping coach will be put on, to run through to New York. (Watkins Express)

November 29, 1877 - A freight train, with caboose attached will run daily, on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad, commencing next Monday morning, leaving at 6:19 a.m. On the succeeding Monday a passenger train will begin running. (Corning Journal)

November 29, 1877 - The C. C. & A. road between Lawrenceville and Antrim will be narrowed up next Saturday, 30th. No trains will run over the road on Saturday, but the road will be open for business on the following Monday, of which shippers and all patrons of the road will please take notice. (Corning Journal)

spacer S. G & C. Opens to the Public, December, 1877


Geneva's South Main Street and one of the first trains north on the S .G. & C. as seen from the lake.
Thanks to Geneva Historical Society

December 5, 1877 - The new Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad was opened to the public on Monday, the first freight train over the road arriving from Corning about noon. It consisted of engine, tender, two box cars, and six or eight platform cars loaded with lumber, and a caboose ... The distance from Geneva to Corning is 57-3/4 miles. The fare will probably be 3 cents mile, making the fare between the stations about $1.72.
The Central company will furnish coal cars for use on the road, as large quantities of coal for the Central will be transported over it. (Geneva Courier)

December 7, 1877 - The first coal train over the new S. G. & C. Railroad arrived last Monday. Since then they have arrived, and returned with empty cars, daily. Passenger trains will be started next Monday. (Geneva Gazette)

December 12, 1877 - The new Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad was opened for scheduled passenger travel on Monday December 10, the first train leaving Geneva at 8 a.m. on that day. The train left Albany at 6:45 a.m. and went over the Central and Corning roads to the Antrim and Fall Brook coal fields. It consisted of an engine, passenger coach and Wagner sleeper, and carried General George Magee, of Watkins, Hon C. C. B. Walker, of Corning, J. H. Rutter, Austin Lathrop, and other officials of the new road.SGC Logo
The first train north arrived in Geneva about half past ten o'clock Monday morning a little behind schedule time. It left Corning at 7:20 a.m., and consisted of the locomotive "Lark," mail and express car No. 3, and the passenger coach "Wellsboro No. 6," all of the Fall Brook Coal Company. Mr. J. H. Way, for twenty years a conductor between Corning and Blossburg, was in charge, and Mr. Horace Lownsberry was the engineer.
A new locomotive "Dundee," built at Schenectady, arrived for the Corning road on Monday. It drew a train of sixty flat cars for use on the road ...


(reprinted from Corning, December 10) About 11 o'clock this morning large crowd gathered at the Fall Brook Railroad depot to welcome the first passenger train over the new Corning and Geneva railroad ... The train consisted of baggage and passenger car, Wagner sleeper "Ilion," and Wagner drawing room car "Duchess." The engine was the "Beaver," No. 18, J. Chapman, engineer and VanWormer fireman. Harry Krieger, one of the most popular of the Erie conductors, is conductor of the new run ... (Geneva Courier)

December 12, 1877 - Trains on the S. G. & C. R. R. will leave Watkins Glen Station - going north - N. Y. Express 8:52 p.m., day exp. 8:15 a.m. - going south - day exp. 9:36 a.m., night exp. 7:17 p.m. (Watkins Democrat)

December 13, 1877 - The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad will be run by the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railway Company, of which Gen. George J. Magee, of Watkins is the President and A.H. Gorton, of Corning, is the Superintendent. (Corning Journal)

Supt. Gorton went to Geneva to return on the first train south over the new railroad on Monday. Mr. Gorton is a vigilant, capable and experienced railroad official. (Corning Journal)

On the first passenger train from Geneva to Corning, on Monday, Chas. Chapman was engineer, O. Van Wermer, fireman, and E. A. Krieger (Harry) was conductor. (Corning Journal)

To it was attached a Wagner Palace Coach and Wagner sleeping coach that came through from New York city by the Hudson River and New York Central ... the train was greeted by the firing of cannon, the ringing of bells, the prolonged shriek of the steam whistle of the Glass Works, and by a large concourse of people. (Corning Journal)

The opening of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad is the most important event in the history of the village since 1849, with the exception of the glass works. It is a great cause for celebration (Corning Journal)

The Geneva & Corning Railroad opens up with a promising amount of business and the indications are that it will be a good paying road from the outset. (Watkins Express)

The Geneva and Corning road has been constructed in the face of some very active and determined opposition at the onset; but those who had the project at heart did not falter once during its darkest days. (Watkins Express)

A handsome tribute to the business capacity and powerful influence of Gen. Magee as shown by the construction of the new railroad, an enterprise so difficult in these times of financial pressure. No other man could have projected and carried forward to entire success an enterprise involving so much expense ... (Corning Journal)

Resolved: That the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway makes complete the only direct line between the cities and town of Central and Eastern New York and the New England States on one hand, and the coal, iron, lumber and petroleum fields of Northern Pennsylvania on the other hand.
Resolved: That we, the citizens of Corning, look upon the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway as a great factor in our own prosperity and that we welcome its completion with the sincerity its importance demands.
Resolved: That the friends of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway owe its conception, its construction, and its operation to the foresight, the indefatigable labors, and the public spirit of Gen. Geo. J. Magee, its President , and President of the Fall Brook Coal Co. (Resolution adopted by the citizens of Corning - Corning Journal)

December 14, 1877 - The first train leaving Geneva at 8 A.M. consist(ed) of locomotive, baggage-car, a Wagner drawing room and sleepers. Gen. Magee and J. H. Rutter were on board. (Geneva Gazette)

December 15, 1877 - The people of Corning on Monday celebrated the arrival of the first passenger train over the Corning and Geneva Railway, with the firing of guns, ringing of bells, blowing of steam whistles, music of bands, etc., etc. The train consisted of a baggage and passenger car, Wagner sleeping and Wagner drawing room car. The engine was the "Beaver," #18, J. Chapman engineer, and Van Warner fireman. The train was in charge of Harry Kreiger, conductor. (Havana Journal)


S. G. & C. Schedule - December 1877
from Watkins Democrat

December 20, 1877 - The fare on the new railroad is as follows from Corning to the stations named: Ferenbaugh's 20 cents; Post Creek 30 cents; Beaver Dams 40 cents; Moreland 50 cents; Watkins Glen 65 cents; Reading Centre 75 cents; Dundee $1.00; Himrods $1.10; Dresden $1.35; Geneva $1.75. (Corning Journal)

December 20, 1877 - A Wagner sleeping coach leaves Corning for N. Y. City by the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning R.R. at 7:50 p.m., reaching New York at 10:30 a.m. without change. (Corning Journal)

December 20, 1877 - Monday, 10th inst., under an invitation from Gen. Magee to the merchants and business men of Watkins, a number of them enjoyed the pleasure of a trip over the new Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad, of which he is the President ... During the trip, and at Corning a sort of free conference was held between our merchants and Mr. Rutter in regard to freighting, and freight rates over the new road via the N. Y. Central. It appears that dealers in Watkins can have goods delivered at their store doors from New York City over this route much more expeditiously and cheaply than ever heretofore, on account of the continuous narrow gauge track which enables them to transport them without change of cars or loss of time in any way ... (Watkins Express)

December 21, 1877 - The men at the Fall Brook shops are working overtime, narrowing down engines and rolling stock to the new gauge. Two engines are now in the shop, and eight others are waiting their turn. (Corning Independent)

December 26, 1877 - Quite a number of our merchants met the officers of the S. G. & C. R. R., and the Gen. Freight agent of N. Y. C. & H. R. R. at Watkins Glen Station last Wednesday and proceeded Corning, at the request of Gen. Magee, to make rates for through freights from New York. We understand that a very low schedule was agreed upon; and before returning the gentlemen were treated to a banquet at the Dickinson House by Gen. Magee, President of the S. G. & C. R. R. They returned on the evening train in charge of conductor Harry Creigger, and expressed themselves highly pleased with their excursion, the road and Gen. Magee in particular. (Watkins Democrat)

December 27, 1877 - Of the thirteen directors of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway seven are officials of the New York Central. (Watkins Express)

December 27, 1877 - Fare from Corning to Geneva over the new road, $1.75. (Watkins Express)

December 27, 1877 - The Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railroad has been narrowed in gauge to correspond with the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning road, so that trains will be run over both lines without transfer. The C. C. & A. road was a wide gauge and at the Company's shops the rolling stock is being worked over to run the new gauge. (Watkins Express)

December 27, 1877 - The speeches made at Corning on the occasion of the formal opening of the S. G. & C. Railway, were very complimentary to the sagacity and enterprise of Gen. Magee, the projector, builder and President of the road; but not more so than he deserves for the indomitable courage displayed in overcoming the difficulties that he had to encounter in these times of financial pressure. (Watkins Express)

December 28, 1877 - Through the courtesy of Hon. Henry Sherwood, acting for General Magee, we were one of a party to take a trip over the new route to Geneva yesterday ... The train consisted of engine No. 7, Lark, engineer, a baggage car and two coaches ... Three better men to run the trains between Wellsboro and Geneva could not be selected than Messers. Brown, Way and Kriger ... Resolved that we regard with great gratification the connection now effected between Northern Pennsylvania and Central New York with its great lines of transportation by means of the S. G. & C. R. R. It ... Resolved that the completion of this important line of railroad reflects great credit on the sagacity, energy and enterprise of Gen. Geo. J. Magee, who projected it; and in the face of general business depression had the rare courage to push so important and expensive an undertaking to an early completion. (Wellsboro Gazette reprinted in Geneva Gazette)

December 28, 1877 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning depot at Dundee is under construction. (Geneva Gazette)

January 2, 1878 - The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad Company, are busily at work, putting up a line of telegraph over their road, and making other improvements which they find necessary. (Dundee Record reprinted in Geneva Courier)

January 3, 1878 - Beyond the new round house of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning road, which stands near the canal bridge, eight tracks, each a quarter of a mile long are being laid. This will make a large yard, and will accommodate an immense business. (Geneva Courier)

January 3, 1878 - The stage route formerly carrying the mail between Watkins and Corning, will be discontinued on the 10th inst., and the mails will be carried over the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad. (Watkins Express)

January 3, 1878 - A coal trestle for A. S. Stothoff, of this village, is being erected at Watkins Glen station on the S. G. & C. Railroad. (Watkins Express)

January 3, 1878 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad Company are putting up a line of telegraph over their road between Corning and Geneva. (Watkins Express)

January 3, 1878 - The traveler by this road (S. G. & C.) crosses the romantic Watkins Glen on an iron bridge 150 feet above the bottom of the ravine, and journeys for miles along the bank of Seneca lake. The new Railway opens up a portion of country which has long needed some outlet for its energies and the existence of the road itself is mainly owing to the untiring energies of Gen. George J. Magee, under whose management it is safe to say that the traveling public will have nothing to complain of. (Bath Courier)

January 3, 1878 - Supt. A. H. Gorton, of Corning, has been made Superintendent of the new Corning railway, from Geneva to Wellsboro, Pa. He is an experienced railroad official. (Bath Advocate)

January 3, 1878 - The coal trains formerly running between Corning and Watkins by way of the Northern Central Railway and Erie tracks have been taken off and are run over the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning road. (Watkins Express)

January 3, 1878 - Penn Yan might have had the benefit of being on the line of the Corning and Geneva Railroad, but the citizens supposed that the business of so large a village would compel the Directors to locate the road on the border, and therefore made no effort to subscribe a reasonable sum. Now it is one side of this important thoroughfare, six miles away, and the citizens have to drive to Dresden to take the cars. The Chronicle urges the speedy building of a yard wide railroad to Dresden. (Yates County Chronicle)

January 5, 1878 - The following is the fare to local stations on the new Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway: From Corning to Ferenbaughs, 20 cents; Post Creek, 30 cents; Beaver Dams, 40 cents; Moreland, 50 cents; Watkins Glen, 65 cents; Reading Centre, 75 cents; Dundee, $1.00; Himrods, $1.10; Dresden, $1.35; Geneva, $1.75. (Havana Journal)

January 8, 1878- It is reported that the Seneca Lake steamers have lost their contract for carrying the U. S. Mails. This will prove a serious blow to the boating interests, but we suppose we must become reconciled to the "inevitable." The contract has been transferred to the S. G. & C. Railway company, and took effect yesterday. Mails go south at 8:10 A.M. and arrive at 10:40 P.M. (Geneva Gazette)

January 8, 1878- The stage route formerly carrying the mail between Watkins and Corning, will be discontinued on the 10th inst., and the mails will be carried over the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad. (Watkins Express)

January 10, 1878 - This morning the Corning Post Office sent the mail over the new railroad in locked pouches, for the various stations. Doubtless, Mail Route Agents will soon be appointed or designated to perform the services of receiving, changing and delivering mails between this village and Geneva. (Corning Journal)

January 15, 1878 - The depot at Dresden is up and going rapidly forward to completion. It is of fair proportions, 60x20; the passenger room 20x16 at the south end, and a wide projection for veranda on all sides. (Watkins Democrat)

January 15, 1878 - "Uncle Dan Eddy," of the elevated plateau of this town of Dix, complains that the coal trains of the S. G. & C. R. R. run through the farm "hell-a-to-boot," night and day, Sundays not excepted, on their winding way, both north and south, and he don't know what to do about it. We are sorry for "Uncle Dan," but think he had better let 'em run, if they will only blow their whistles well as they go through. Coal must move you know. (Watkins Democrat)

January 16, 1878 - A switch house has been built at the junction of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning, and the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim railroads. (Geneva Courier)

January 19, 1878 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad company are putting up a telegraph line over their road between Corning and Geneva. (Havana Journal)

January 19, 1878 - On Tuesday of last week the mails were sent over the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad for the first time. This will be a great convenience to people residing near Moreland, Beaver Dams, and other places along the line ... tha mails are no longer conveyed over Seneca Lake by Steamers, the contract having been transferred to the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad. (Havana Journal)

January 23, 1878 - The opening of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway unites two communities made dear to each other by early associations. It is a natural and true highway between two important sections of the country ... a direct link in the chain of commercial avenues between the coal fields and forests of Pennsylvania and the great consuming communities of the Middle and New England States. And Corning is the natural gateway ... Undoubtedly the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway will soon become as widely known and popular among pleasure seekers as any in the United States. It is the nearest route to Watkins Glen and lands its passengers at the Glen itself ... (Watkins Democrat)

January 26, 1878 - The route for the extension of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad is being surveyed from Geneva to Lyons. (Havana Journal)

January 27, 1878 - Last Thursday morning the train on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad ... met with an accident near Billsborrow's. An axle in the tender broke, causing a delay of an hour and a half. Conductor Kriger returned to Geneva on a hand-car and procured an engine and truck and the train was soon started for Corning. (Geneva Courier)

January 31, 1878 - The management of the Fall Brook Coal Co. are surveying at Osceola, for the extension of the railroad from Ekland up the Valley of the Cowanesque. (Corning Journal)

February 7, 1878 - Business on the new railroad from Corning to Geneva is very satisfactory, as we learn. There is a fair amount of through travel, and considerable way travel. It is a season of year when there is not much to be expected ... The railroad is doing a large freight business in coal, there being daily from eight hundred to twelve hundred tons of coal from the coal mines in Tioga Co. Pa., that are transported over the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad. (Corning Journal)

February 8, 1878 - Now that navigation of Seneca Lake has suspended for the winter, were the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning like other railways, rates of fare would also be increased, competition being closed? Not so, however. The rates from Geneva to Watkins are one dollar, including transfer from the summit of the Glen to the depot in the village below. This route is every day growing in popularity, as it shortens the distance and time nearly half a day between points on the New York Central and all cities and towns on the Southern Tier. (Geneva Gazette)

Antrim  
Skyline
Antrim skyline showing railroad freight shed 

February 21, 1878 - Antrim is a lively settlement in the wilderness, reached by a zig-zag rail-track. It was an immense undertaking to open a mine, and build a road there. It is said that the first ton of coal mined cost the Magee estate a million of dollars. (Corning Journal)

February 21, 1878 - We understand that an agreement on freights has been made by the Erie Railroad Company and the N. Y. Central, and Syracuse, Geneva & Corning R. R. Companies, by which freights are brought to Corning at greatly reduced rates over either route ...The result is a great benefit to Corning merchants, and demonstrates the advantages of wholesome competition. (Corning Journal)

February 21, 1878 - The Telegraph office at Wellsboro is now Western Union. (Corning Journal)

February 21, 1878 - A correspondent of the Wellsboro Gazette states that Fall Brook, once having a population of fifteen hundred persons, has now but three hundred. (Corning Journal)

February 23, 1878 - It is said that the Geneva and Corning railroad though only having been open to travel and traffic for a few weeks, has more than paid expenses and promises to be one of the best paying roads in the State. (Havana Journal)

February 28, 1878 - There was a meeting held here on Saturday at which were present Gen. Geo. J. Magee, President of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad, James H. Rutter, Gen. Freight Agent of the New York Central Railroad, and the Directors of the Penn Yan and N. Y. Railroad Company. The latter was organized to build a railroad on the bank of the Crooked Lake Canal, between Penn Yan and Dresden. We understand that an agreement was made to proceed with the work as soon as spring opens; the Penn Yan and N. Y. Company to grade the track and lay the ties, the N. Y. Central Company to furnish the iron, and the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad Company to operate the road. This is a very important enterprise for Penn Yan, and will be a great accommodation to all on the line of the S. G. & C. Railroad, who wish to visit Penn Yan by rail, without stopping at Himrods Station to await the trains of the Northern Central. (Corning Journal)

March 1, 1878 - The coal tonnage of the S. G. & C. railroad is about 1,000 tons daily. (Geneva Gazette)

March 6, 1878 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning R. R. Company are to build a pavilion that will shelter a thousand people, at the head of Watkins Glen. They have bought five acres of land, which will be cleared of underbrush and become a pleasant grove. Dining tables will be put up ... there will also be a dancing hall. (Corning Journal)

March 6, 1878 - On Tuesday of this week, by previous arrangement, Mr. R. L. Guion, of Elmira, Superintendent of the Telephone Company was in this village, at the Fall Brook Coal Company's office, to illustrate the practical workings of this new and wonderful invention, with a view of establishing communications between Watkins and Corning ... Gen. Magee, when all was ready, opened conversation, with G. R. Brown, of Corning, Superintendent of the S. G. & C. and C. C. & A. Telegraph line, and received very distinct and explicit answers to his business questions almost immediately ... the experiment with this most marvelous development of the 19th century lasted about two hours, and were highly satisfactory from a practical point of view, as well as amusing. (Corning Journal)

March 20, 1878 - W. Wilmot runs a four horse stage between Watkins and the depot on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad, a mile distant from the village, running to all passenger trains. (Corning Journal)

March 20, 1878 - The right of way has been purchased by the New York Central Railroad Company, for the proposed road from Geneva to Lyons. It is announced that work on the new line will be commenced as early as the weather will permit. (Watkins Democrat)

March 20, 1878 - The contract for building the Geneva and Lyons railroad was let on Wednesday last to George H. Thompson & Co., of Rochester ... the contract provides that the road shall be completed by the 1th of July ... the distance between the two points is thirteen miles and with the side cuts there will be fifteen miles of track to lay. (Geneva Courier)

March 28, 1878 - The coal dealers of Dresden and Geneva now receive their coal from Elmira, via Corning and over the S. G. & C. Railway, cheaper than they did formerly over the Northern Central to Watkins, and from this point, by boat over Seneca Lake. What are we coming to? (Watkins Express)

April 10, 1878 - A new depot is to be erected at Corning for the joint use of the Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim, and Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroads. (Geneva Courier)

April 11, 1878 - On Monday, engine No. 14, Joseph Boyle, engineer, drew one hundred and nineteen loaded coal dumps from Corning to Geneva. It was the heaviest train that has been over the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad, and Mr. Boyle took it through on time. (Corning Journal)

April 11, 1878 - The Wagner Sleeping Coach is a good advertisement for the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad, as it stands daily on the track near the depot, arriving here by the forenoon train. It shows to guests at the Dickinson House and people on the street that a fine sleeping coach runs to Albany and New York. (Corning Journal)

April 18, 1878 - A room for lady passengers has been fitted up at the Fall Brook Depot, having a small bay window projecting on the platform. It was much needed. (Corning Journal)

spacer The Geneva and Lyons Railroad

April 23, 1878 - The work of constructing the short line of railroad to connect Lyons on the direct road with Geneva, on the Auburn road, is going forward at the northern end of the line with all possible dispatch. (Wellsboro Agitator)

April 24, 1878 - On Monday, engine No. 14, Joseph Boyle, engineer, drew one hundred and ninety loaded coal dumps from Corning to Geneva. It was the heaviest train that has been on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad. Mr. Boyle took it thru on time. (Geneva Courier)

April 28, 1878 - The depot of the Fall Brook Coal Company, operators of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning, and the Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim Railroads, just completed at Corning, is one of the most elegant structures of the kind in the state. (Read Detailed Newspaper Article) (Corning Journal)

May 2, 1878 - The Morris Run Coal Company are now transshipping one train of coal a day, at Coal Point, in this village, and will soon double up the amount, so as to make a daily average, for the season, of from 750 to 800 tons mostly for the salt works at Syracuse. The Blossburg Coal Company will also use the works, to some extent, this year. (Watkins Express)

May 9, 1878 - Six of the twelve miles of the branch of the S. G. & C. R. R. is graded, (between Geneva and Lyons,) and two miles of iron track are laid. (Corning Journal)

May 15, 1878 - Gen. Magee recently made the trip from Corning to Watkins, over the S. G. & C. R. R., 21 miles, in twenty-seven minutes. (Watkins Democrat)

May 22, 1878 - Steel rails (not iron) have been laid upon the Geneva and Lyons railroad for a distance of about four miles north of Geneva. By means of a Y track, trains from Syracuse can run up and back and upon the two branches of it, thus turn around without the use of a turntable. Geneva is destined to become an important railroad center. (Geneva Courier)

May 23, 1878 - The Watkins Glen Station, of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway, is located a mile and a quarter northwest of the center of the village, and is some 600 feet above the level of Seneca Lake ... The buildings consist of a good and well furnished passenger depot, with a pleasant ladies room, telegraph office, etc., and a substantial freight depot, well arranged and of good capacity. (Watkins Express)

May 23, 1878 - On Monday morning about three o'clock fire was discovered by the watchman, in the car shop of the Fall Brook Coal Company (CC&A), and it was speedily consumed ... the shop was nearly forty by two hundred feet ... the brick round house nearby took fire in the roof several times, and was saved by great exertion. In it were seven locomotives. The heat expanded the rails from the shop, so that the turntable of the round house could not be moved. The loss to the Company above insurance is probably ten thousand dollars. (Corning Journal)

May 25, 1878 - The Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim railroad car-shops, located at Corning, were burned on Monday morning. The loss is estimated at $30,000, insurance $25,000. There were about seventy-five men employed in the shop, a large number of whom lost their tools, upon which there was no insurance. The origin of the fire is a mystery. (Waverly Free Press)

May 23, 1878 - Gen. Magee came here on the morning train on Monday, to make arrangements to rebuild the Fall Brook Car Shop. (Corning Journal)

Depot at Watkins Glen
S.G. & C. Depot and Pavilion at Watkins Glen 
Thanks to Richard Palmer 
Glen Pavilion S. G. & C. Depot and Pavilion at Watkins Glen 
From a stereo view by W. D. Gates & Co., Syracuse, NY
Thanks to Bill Hecht 
 

May 23, 1878 - The Summer Depot, Restaurant and Pavilion, nearly completed at Glen Bridge Station of the S. G. & C. Railway, a mile and a-half west of Watkins, is a grand affair, and, when finished, will be as beautiful as it is grand. The structure is being built by the Railroad Company ... The style of the building is Swiss-like, and it is to be semi-rustic in its ornamentation, which will be very appropriate for the locality where it is situated, and the purpose for which it is to be used ... Acres of beautifully shaded picnic grounds adjoin the station and pavilion on the west, and a new circling road has been opened from the public highway, that leads from Turnberry Settlement, so that carriages can reach the spot with perfect ease; and a fine well will supply all the water needed for a million. (Watkins Express)

May 30, 1878 - Within six weeks trains will run through over the new railroad, from Geneva to Lyons, where the four tracks of the N. Y. Central will be intersected. It will thus open Wayne County to Corning for business or visits. (Corning Journal)

May 30, 1878 - On Wednesday of last week, May 22nd, in response to invitations extended by Gen. G. J. Magee, President of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway, a large number of guests united in a grand pleasure excursion, in honor of the completion and opening of this new road, the starting and terminal points being Geneva and Antrim, at which place in northern Pennsylvania, the principal mines of the Fall Book Coal Company, now in active operation, are located. (Watkins Express)

June 6, 1878 - Those who wish to make a charming excursion trip of one day, can do so by going on Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad from Corning at 7 a.m. reaching Glen Bridge at 8 o'clock, go thru the Glen and Watkins, leaving Watkins then on the steamboat for Geneva, enjoying a delightful ride on Seneca Lake, reaching Geneva in time for supper .. arriving back at Corning at 8:30. The fare for the round trip by railroad and steamboat is only three dollars ... there is no excursion of a single day where so much pleasure from the scenery, and the trip, can be had at so little expense. (Corning Journal)

June 6, 1878 - (The S. G. & C. road) has not only put Beaver Dams, Watkins, Reading Center, Rock Stream, Dundee, Himrods, Dresden and all other points along the new route, in full communication with the region alluded to, but also connected these localities with the Erie and New York Central Railways, and thus opened up to them the markets of the great cities, for their produce, and the purchase of return supplies for the home trade. The credit of having projected this very important link between the two great railway thoroughfares named, and to a great extent, of carrying the enterprise through with marked energy and ability to a successful conclusion in an incredibly short space of time, belongs, almost exclusively, to Gen. Geo. J. Magee, of Watkins ... From the day of its opening, until the present time, it has demonstrated the sagacity of its projector and contractor, who is now its President, and untiring as well as efficient business manager. (Corning Journal)

June 20, 1878 - By invitation of Gen. George J. Magee, of Watkins, the employees in the Fall Brook Company's railroad shops at Corning and their families are to go on an excursion to Watkins Glen on Saturday. It will no doubt be a very enjoyable excursion. Pier's Band furnishes Music. (Corning Journal)

June 19, 1878 - The S. G. & C. railroad will have one of the handsomest stations along its entire route at the upper end of Watkins Glen, near the bridge. (Watkins Democrat)

June 20, 1878 - Coal mining is again getting lively at Fall Brook, Morris Run and Arnot. This is a good sign of the times, and an excellent thing for Blossburg, whose prosperity depends very much on the employment of the miners at the three localities named. (Watkins Express)

July 3, 1878 - The Corning Democrat says the employees of the Fall Brook Coal Company, and their families had an excursion to Watkins, last Saturday. Gen. Magee gave them an extra train, and they enjoyed the trip, notwithstanding the moist weather. (Watkins Democrat)

July 17, 1878 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway is developing a remarkable excursion business. (Elmira Advertiser)

July 17, 1878 - The Geneva and Lyons railroad was completed last week, and inspected by Superintendents Burroughs of the Central, Packer and Sayre of the G. I. & S. , and Gorton of the S. G. & C. and other railroad officials. It does not yet appear what company is to run the road. (Geneva Courier)

July 31, 1878 - It is announced semi-officially that the Geneva and Lyons Railroad will be opened to the public on the first Monday in August; and that meantime a new time-table will be arranged for trains on the New York Central - all trains stopping at Lyons. (Geneva Courier)

August 1, 1878 - A connection of the Northern Central with the S. G. & C. railroad at Himrods, has been accomplished, and all eastward bound trains of the former will hereafter pass over the latter road instead of going via Canandaigua as formerly, thus saving many miles of transportation and heavy upgrades. (Watkins Express)

August 8, 1878 - Work has been stopped on the building of the new car shop of the Fall Brook Coal Company, because of the heavy assessment made on the property of the Company by the Town Assessors ... it will be a very great injury to Corning if the action of the Assessors compels the removal of the car shops. (Corning Journal)

August 14, 1878 - The time table for the Geneva and Lyons road is printed, but has not yet been published. The work of completing the trestles, tracks, etc., at Lyons, is being pushed rapidly forward, but regular trains will not begin running till about the first of September. The trains of both the Corning and Ithaca roads will run over the new road. (Geneva Courier)

August 15, 1878 - The largest party that ever visited Watkins Glen and Seneca Lake over any route, came over the Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim and Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railways ... there were 15 car loads, and the number of people was not less than a full, round 1000 ... the excursion train was drawn by two engines - the Antrim, Joe Boyle, engineer, J. Barbour, fireman, and the Dundee, Eugene Clark, engineer, C. Call, fireman, "Nett" Wheeler conducted the train; and Superintendent A. H. Gorton accompanied the party. (Watkins Express)

August 29, 1878 - Walker and Lathrop have taken the contract to re-build the Car shop for the Fall Brook Coal company at Corning. It will be a larger building than the one burned, and like that it is to be a framed structure. (Corning Journal)

September 4, 1878 - Rare is the beauty of the ride to Watkins over the new Corning road. the terraced banks of the Main street bluff; the broad surface of the Seneca, shimmering under the August sun; the distant hills half-hidden by the haze; the picturesque curve of Factory Bay - these successively delight the eye until sweeping inland around the quiet village of Dresden, we look back and see them all combined in one charming picture ... there is a Watkins station and a mile further on a Watkins Bridge station, where there is a large, commodious pavilion for lunching and dancing parties. Heads are thrust out to peer into the depths of the famous Glen as we slowly pass, 120 feet above its bottom ... (Geneva Courier)

September 5, 1878 - The farmer's excursion to Antrim, on Saturday last, over the S. G. & C. and C. C. & A. Railways, was the monster excursion event of the season . The train when completed, consisted of twenty-three cars and two powerful engines. It has to be divided into two sections and contained from fifteen to seventeen hundred people, all picked up from a farming country, between Dundee and Corning, a distance of only about thirty miles ... Commodore Foote was in his glory, and did about the handiest day's works of his life, in caring for the comfort and happiness of the great party. His attentions were gratefully appreciated by all, and compliments were bestowed upon him thickly as autumn leaves. (Watkins Express)

September 8, 1878 - It is probable there will be no passenger time table arranged upon the Geneva and Lyons railroad before the 1st of October. (Geneva Courier)

September 11, 1878 - The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad will bring an excursion party from Wellsboro, Pa., on the 19th inst., some three or four hundred strong. They will arrive on an early train and proceed to take possession of the Pavilion for a lively dance. (Watkins Democrat)

The Geneva and Lyons road was inspected on Saturday by William H. Vanderbilt, Superintendent Burroughs, and other railroad men. They came from Lyons, down to Geneva, and after thoroughly inspecting the road, went east. (Geneva Courier)

October 17, 1878 - The Chemung Canal will be finally closed on the 31st of October, abandoned, and discontinued from that date. It ought to have been abandoned five years ago. (Watkins Express)

October 24, 1878 - There are no passenger trains running yet on the Geneva and Lyons Railroad, although there have been a dozen or more "official" rumors as to the date of their commencement. The coal chutes are in working order, and were tried for the first time Saturday last.
Large scales for weighing coal, huge engines for pumping water and two sand driers have been placed in position, and in connection with the more important works accomplished by the company at this place, gives the Lyons station quite an important and businesslike appearance.
About twenty acres of switches and sidetracks add to this appearance not a little. A round house, capable of accommodating ten or twelve engines, is soon to be commenced a short distance east of the station. If only a small portion of the rumors as to the future improvements and arrangements of the New York Central contemplated for this place prove true, Lyons can consider herself the most fortunate town on the line of this road. (Rochester Union and Advertiser)

November 6, 1878 - The Geneva and Lyons railroad will be opened for regular passenger travel on Monday next, November 11th ... the road will be run by the Lehigh Valley Company in connection with that road and the Geneva, Ithaca and Sayre - Lyons being the terminus of the consolidated line ... the machinery for loading locomotives with coal is said to work to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, and locomotives are now watered and coaled in the space of sixty seconds ... (Geneva Courier)


The S. G. & C. road approaching Geneva
From S. G. & C. brochure

November 13, 1878 - Monday, November 11, 1878, will be one of the most historic days in Geneva. On that day a fourth line of railroad connecting this place with important points, was opened to the public. The Geneva and Lyons Railroad, which joins the direct and Auburn lines of the New York Central, was opened by a train which left Lyons at 6:30 A.M., arriving in Geneva at 7:10.
The first train was made up of the locomotive "Lark," No. 7, a mail and express car, and the passenger coach "Seneca," all belonging to the Fall Brook Coal Company. (more) (Geneva Courier)

November 14, 1878 - On the first day of running passenger trains (on the Geneva and Lyons Railroad) there was a narrow escape from a serious accident, which was averted by the vigilance of the trainmen. The passengers on a northern bound train on the Geneva and Lyons Railroad, on Monday, were badly frightened by the whistle for down brakes. The prompt and earnest manner of the trainmen in heeding the signal spread consternation among the passengers, some of whom were so excited as to propose to jump off before the speed had been materially lessened.
When the train had been brought to standstill it was discovered that the employees on a gravel train had neglected to take up the red flag which had been put in a sightly place while the dirt cars were at that point, but which had drawn out of the way. (Rochester Union and Advertiser)

November 15, 1878 - All trains arriving at and departing from Geneva - east, west, north, south and south-west - now receive and discharge passengers at one and the same depot, the old N. Y. Central depot. It makes a busy time of it at that point. (Geneva Gazette)

November 20, 1878 - What Caused the Geneva & Lyons Railroad to be Built. A few days ago an article appeared in the Union, copied from the Buffalo Courier, that was calculated to convey the impression that the main object of the building of the Geneva & Lyons cross-cut was to form a connection with the Lehigh Valley railroad, via its northern line, the Geneva, Ithaca & Sayre road.
We are able to present hitherto unpublished information showing that such was not the case, but that the cause, or rather the necessity for this line was the building of the road from Corning to Geneva, known as the "Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway," which brought to the New York Central more traffic than its single track could provide for ... In May, 1877, a gentleman prominently connected with the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning road proposed the Geneva and Lyons road to William H. Vanderbilt and with the latter and others went to Lyons and there and on the cars thoroughly discussed the new line. In the party were J. H. Rutter, James Tillinghast and George H. Burrows of the New York Central road, all of whom favored and urged the scheme.
Shortly after this trip C.H. Foster, Chief Engineer of the Central, was directed to make a survey and estimate the cost. When the company was organized the S.G. & C. official referred to was made a director of the Geneva & Lyons Railroad Company, and was authorized to employ a suitable party to contract for the right of way.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad and its northern line, the Geneva, Ithaca & Sayre Co., knew nothing of the inception of this line until the construction had begun. The Northern Central Railroad Co., by arrangements made within the present month, will run their coal to Lyons and can, if they choose, run their freight and passenger trains there, leaving their own line at Himrod six miles south of Penn Yan and there taking the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway to Geneva and thence to Lyons.
The new route to Lyons will not be a formidable rival to the Northern Central, but via that route to the latter can reach Lyons, Rochester and the West on as favorable terms as will the Lehigh Valley. (Rochester Union & Advertiser)

November 21, 1878 -The Chemung Feeder and Canal was closed yesterday, and that permanently, as they are to be abandoned. It is about 46 years since the canal was built, and it accomplished great results in being the means of connecting with the Erie Canal. It was the event of that generation. It is now closed forever and the fact is hardly mentioned. (Corning Journal)

November 28, 1878 - There are five passenger trains daily each way over the new Geneva & Lyons Railway, three of which each way are run by the S. G. & C. Railway Co., and two by the Lehigh Valley Company. No less than 14 freight trains are run over the road daily (7 each way), and Lyons is very lively. (Watkins Express)

December 16, 1878 - The Northern Central Railway Company has effected an arrangement with the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning and the Geneva & Lyons railroad companies to run both coal and passenger cars through to Lyons and Himrod. (Rochester Union and Advertiser)

January 1, 1879 - The Fall Brook Company are engaged in tearing down the Trestle Works, on their Coal Yard, at the foot of Washington Square. This is a step in the retrograde movement of our village, that will prove very uncomfortable and dissatisfactory to all who have money invested in this corporation. (Watkins Express)

January 3, 1879 - The new railroad of Gen. Magee, from Corning to Lyons is a live road. We have learned that the traffic of this newly-opened road has happily surprised its projections. It certainly is the proper route by which Elmira men may get to stations on the 'direct road' between Syracuse and Rochester. (Elmira Gazette)


Scene along Fall Brook Railway - Geneva  
Geneva Public Library Digital Collection  

January 4, 1879 - Few of the citizens of Schuyler County stop to reflect that we have within our borders a corporation that stands as the peer of the great corporates in the eastern part of the state. We make reference to the " Fall Brook Coal Company," which, in connection with its great coal trade, are lessees and operators of the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim, the Syracuse Geneva and Corning, and Geneva and Lyons Railroads. The headquarters of this great company are in Watkins ... the President of the company, Gen. George J. Magee, resides at Watkins, as do several of its prominent officers ... As a resident of Schuyler County, we take pride in the fact that we can boast that such a corporation has its home in our midst. (Havana Journal)

January 9, 1879 - The Syracuse Geneva and Corning Railroad was obstructed by snow from Thursday night, till Monday evening, The Branch from Geneva to Lyons was also closed. The express train that left Corning on Thursday evening got stuck in a drift near Reading Centre, and remained there till Monday, in spite of all efforts to open a passage. The trainmen and passengers found supplies of food at farm houses, and the few lady passengers were fed and lodged there, and treated very kindly. (Corning Journal)

January 15, 1879 - Saturday next, January 18, 1879, will mark an era in the history and progress of Geneva. On that day the last stage will make its last trip - the Geneva and Clyde stage line will after Saturday next, be a thing of the past... the construction of the Geneva and Lyons railroad now necessitates the abandonment of that route, and the victory of the locomotive over the stage is complete. (Geneva Courier)

January 30, 1879 - The Elmira Advertiser calls Conductor Way, of the S. G. & C. Railway - who showed such courage when his train was blockaded in the snow recently at night, between Reading Center and Rockstream, "A lion-hearted Conductor." It is a well-merited compliment. (Watkins Express)

January 31, 1879 - Extensive traffic works are to be erected at Geneva next spring for the transfer of coal from cars to boats at this place instead of Watkins. Better facilities exist or are to be made here than at Watkins or Lyons. (Geneva Gazette)

February 6, 1879 - The Syracuse Geneva and Corning railroad is doing a very large business in the freighting of coal ... The Fall Brook Company which operates the railroad, could send much more coal over this route if they had more cars and engines; but it is increasing the amount of rolling stock as fast as possible ... The "Magee Shops" are full of busy workmen and the men employed there, and in the running of the trains to and from the coal mines, and to the N. Y. Central, constitute an important part of the industrial population of Corning. (Corning Journal)

February 28, 1879 - A smash-up occurred on the S. G. & C. railroad near Himrods, on Saturday, which caused some delay in the trains the entire forenoon. A freight train was left on the track while its engine pulled to Dundee for water, and through some mistake of the flagmen, the southern bound passenger train ran into the standing cars. The snow was blowing terribly at the time. No one was injured. (Geneva Gazette)

March 1, 1879 - The Magee Coal Transhipment works, formerly at Watkins, have been moved to Geneva. (Havana Journal)

March 12, 1879 - Himrods was a stopping station just beyond Starkey, on the N.C.R., but now is the junction of the former and the S. G. & C. R. R., and a transfer station of no mean importance. It is stated that the two roads contemplate building a handsome union depot there this spring. (Watkins Democrat)

March 26, 1879 - It is surprising to see the immense amount of freight which is being brought into this village over the S. G. & C. R. R. Our attention has been particularly called to the great loads brought down the hill for the last two weeks, and it speaks well for the able and efficient management of the road. (Watkins Democrat)

April 3, 1879 - The Geneva Courier says: There is no doubt about the erection in Geneva this spring of the trestles and coal shipping machinery of the Fall Brook Coal Company. The buildings of the company at Watkins have been taken down, and some of the timbers have already been brought here. The erection of those buildings here will add to the business of Geneva, coal being shipped from this point instead of from Watkins. (Watkins Express)

April 9, 1879 - The first station on the railway from Corning to Watkins is "Fermanagh's" (sic). A new post office has been established there called "Ferrenbaugh," with John Ferrenbaugh as post master. (Watkins Democrat)

April 11, 1879 - The S. G. & C. railroad company are putting up a high and tight board fence between their track and the canal tow path where the two run side by side, adjacent to the malt house. This improvement will greatly lessen the danger of frightening canal teams by passing trains. (Geneva Gazette)

April 16, 1879 - Gen. George J. Magee, of this place, started last Friday, with a party of railroad officials, on a pleasure excursion to California, intending to be absent some five weeks. His companions are Austin Lathrop, Jr., of Corning; Maj. Charles Langdon of Elmira; James H. Rutter, Traffic Manager of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. Co.; George Darling, Manager of the White Line Transportation Company; John C. Noyes, General Freight Agent of the Indiana and St. Louis R. C; Wm. Bliss, Manager of the Boston & Albany R. R. (Watkins Democrat)

April 24, 1879 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad Company will begin the sale of tickets over their line, at two cents per mile for five hundred miles travel, good till used. The tickets will be received also on their trains on the Geneva and Lyons Railroad ... The road is doing a good business in passenger travel, and has a large amount of freighting. There are about one thousand tons of coal taken daily by this railroad to the N. Y. Central to supply its locomotives. (Corning Journal)

April 24, 1879 - Travel to and from Watkins, over the S. G. & C. Railway, has increased rapidly of late, and almost every trip made by Wilmot's four-horse stage to and from Watkins Station, shows a full complement of passengers both ways. The passenger business of this new route far exceeds the anticipations of its projectors, and the same may be said of its coal and freight patronage. (Watkins Express)

April 30, 1879 - The S. G. & C. railroad company are building trestle works and coal pockets at Geneva for the purpose of transhipping coal. The trestles occupy about a thousand feet stretch along the towpath of the canal. (Watkins Democrat)

April 30, 1879 - On or about May 1st, The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railway will place on sale a mileage ticket, good for 500 miles ride on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railway, or the Geneva and Lyons railway, at the rate of two cents per mile, being ten dollars for the ticket. (Watkins Democrat)

May 9, 1879 - The arrival of Gen. Magee and party at Cheyenne (Wyoming) en route to California, is noticed in the papers at that point. They have a train of their own in which they are to make the entire journey. It consists of locomotive and tender, a baggage car and two Pullman coaches, the latter fitted up with every accommodation for cooking, eating and sleeping. That way of traveling is simply luxurious. (Geneva Gazette)

May 10, 1879 - The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway Company have reduced the fare on their road to conform to the recent reductions on the Northern Central - two cents a mile. (Havana Journal)

May 14, 1879 - Beaver Dams rejoices in a Rail Road Saloon situated just opposite the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning R. R. Depot, at that place, where refreshments for the inner man are kept both liquids and solids. (Watkins Democrat)

May 21, 1879 - A short distance west of the village of Geneva is a piece of road in the form of the letter X, the west end converging at Lyons, the east one on the new road, that runs from Geneva to Lyons, and the north and south ones on the Auburn road. In this way trains, if necessary, can reach the points desired without passing Geneva, and so save quite a distance. At Geneva the road connects with the Lehigh Valley and the road that runs down the west side of Seneca Lake. The Lehigh Valley trains run over the new road to Lyons, and during the business season sometimes as many as thirty coal trains a day pass both ways over the line. (Geneva Courier )

May 30, 1879 - The train from Corning arriving in Geneva at 3:12 p.m. makes close connections at Lyons with trains both east and west on the direct road (N. Y. C. & H.) - a convenience which travelers should understand. (Geneva Gazette)

May 30, 1879 - It is proposed to have an excursion to Lyons, about the middle of June to leave on the noon train at 12:25 ... Few of the citizens of Corning have ever visited Lyons. It will be reached by the S. G. & C. Railroad to Geneva, and from thence by the Lyons branch, a distance of a dozen miles from Geneva. Lyons is a beautiful village .. the excursion cannot fail to be one of much enjoyment as the ride along the west border of Seneca Lake, the view of Geneva, and the visit to Lyons unite to render it delightful ... a Lyons ... the excursionists will see the four track railroad of the N.Y. Central. (Corning Journal)

May 30, 1879 - The recent completion of a railroad connecting Geneva with Lyons, on the main trunk of the N.Y. Central furnishes a grand excursion route of 125 miles, from Lyons to Antrim, giving magnificent views of Seneca Lake, an opportunity to visit the famous Watkins Glen, which the S. G. & C. road proper, crosses on a grand and imposing iron bridge 450 feet long and 165 feet high and sufficient time at Antrim for dinner, and a visit to the mines, and for supper on return to Corning all in one day. Excursion tickets are sold at very moderate rates, and cars can be chartered at special rates on application to H.A. Horning, General Passenger Agent at Corning, N.Y. (Corning Journal)

June 13, 1879 - (Regarding the S. G. & C.) - It is already one of the best, safest and most substantial roads in the country, and the time is not far distant when its business will be limited only by its capacity for transporting freight and passengers. It will stand out prominently in history as an enduring monument to the business foresight, sagacity and indomitable energy of its originator and builder, General George J. Magee. (Elmira Gazette)

June 20, 1879 - About two hundred and thirty people left Corning on Tuesday afternoon, on the excursion to Lyons. A large crowd collected at the Fall Brook depot to see the party and to hear Pier's Brass Band ... the locomotive engine was number 14, Charles M. Read, engineer, and J .F. Roody, fireman ... at Watkins Glen, Gen. George J. Magee of Watkins, joined the excursionists. But for him there would be no railroad to connect Corning with the New York Central at Geneva and Lyons. A remarkable man, of a family remarkable for business enterprise, and pluck, for untiring energy and rare sagacity, George J. Magee needs no eulogy. He has made his record; and he is modest and approachable to the humblest of his employees, as though one of them. (Corning Journal)

July 4, 1879 - Seven hundred tons of bituminous coal pass daily over the S. G. & C. railroad for the Lyons trestle supply alone. (Geneva Gazette)

July 17, 1879 - The Corning Journal says truly of Gen. Geo. J. Magee, of Watkins: "He is a remarkable man, and comes of a family remarkable for business enterprise and pluck, for untiring energy and rare sagacity. But for him there would have been no railroad to connect Corning with the N. Y. Central at Geneva and Lyons. George J. Magee needs no eulogy. He has made his record; and he is modest and approachable to the humblest of his employees as though one of them." (Watkins Express)

July 30, 1879 - The teacher's excursion to Antrim ... will give the people in this vicinity who have never been in the mining districts, a chance to visit that interesting locality without spending a small fortune to do so. Antrim is seventy-four miles south of the Glen station, and to be able to take a trip that distance and visit the mines for the trifling sum of one dollar is something which a few years ago we would never have believed could happen. Through the kindness and public-spiritedness of the officers of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad Company, this opportunity is offered to the people, and should be taken advantage of by everyone. (Watkins Democrat)

August 1, 1879 - The Watkins Express reports: The last train of coal was run on the Fall Brook trestle Saturday. The track is nearly torn up, and what a few years ago was the busiest quarter of our village will soon be entirely departed. It is a sorry sight to one who has see the place as we have seen it, one "jam of boats, loading, waiting to be loaded, or preparing to take the next tow down the lake; hundreds of boatmen engaged in all sorts of jobs, while the dust begrimed Fall Brook employees were busy wheeling coal aboard the boats from below, dumping it from above, or unloading trains which would arrive two or three at a time. The above indicates that transshipments of coal from cars to boat is about to begin at Geneva, the trestle and pockets for which are ready. (Geneva Gazette)

August 6, 1879 - Soon after the completion of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railway, the Fall Brook Coal Company, which is under substantially the same management as the new road, decided to move their coal trans-shipping depot from Watkins to Geneva. By this means forty miles towing would be avoided, time saved, and more direct connection had with points east and west. The coal brought from Pennsylvania would then be taken by rail to Geneva, and there transferred to boats, for shipment on the canal. (Geneva Courier)

August 7, 1879 - Kendall's Station is the name of a new post office on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway. Merrick Kendall is postmaster. This post office is located 2 miles south of Beaver Dams, between that place and Post Creek. Mr. Kendall has built a depot there, and now that he has a post office, the prospect is that quite a little village will spring up around the station, and Beaver Dams should look to her laurels. (Watkins Express)

Coal trans-shipment works at Lyons
Coal trans-shipment works at Lyons  
Havana Journal  

August 8, 1879 - There are now 1,000 tons of coal brought into Lyons daily for the use of the New York Central. About 400 tons are put upon locomotives here, and the balance is distributed to other points, reaching eastward as far as West Albany. (Lyons Republican)

August 13, 1879 - The Corning Democrat says 48,041 cars ran on the C. C. & A. and the S. G. & C. railroads during the month of July. (Watkins Democrat)

August 13, 1879 - The Teachers' excursion to Antrim last Saturday was a successful affair, so far as we can learn. Seven coaches filled so full of sweltering humanity that their feet stuck out at the windows took in the affair, and interviewed the bowels of the earth ... the managers of the party express themselves well satisfied with the trip and speak highly of the manner in which Commodore Foote took care of the party. (Watkins Democrat)

August 14, 1879 - The first work at the new coal trestle at Geneva was performed last Monday, when 75 coal jimmies transferred their loads - very good for a beginning. (Geneva Gazette)

August 14, 1879 - Last Monday, August 11th, the first train-load was dumped in the Fall Brook Coal Company's transfer chutes below the depot. The structure is 864 feet long, and at the highest point 36 feet above the water. Its holding capacity is 700 tons. At present there are eight men employed dumping cars, loading and trimming boats ... The F. B. C. Co. expect to transfer about 30,000 tons this fall yet. (Geneva Gazette)

August 14, 1879 - Three thousand tons of coal were moved on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning road one day last week. (Geneva Gazette)

August 27, 1879 - The Tioga Express says the Fall Brook Coal Company at Antrim are preparing to press fine coal into ovals. (Watkins Democrat)

August 27, 1879 - Mr. J. F. Hoose, of Earl's station on S. G. & C. R. R., had a set of telegraph instruments put in his office on Saturday of last week ... this station will soon become one of the principal telegraph offices on that line, and will be a very great convenience to those in that locality, as they have long wished for one at that point. (Geneva Courier)

September 3, 1879 - The undersigned, in pursuance of the provisions of Act Chapter 404, Laws of 1877 ... will sell the materials of the locks, aqueducts, bridges and other appurtenances of the Chemung Canal at Corning, on Tuesday, July 22nd, 1879. (Watkins Democrat)

September 4, 1879 - One of the largest parties of the year 1879, and one not heralded in our excursion notes of last week, came to Watkins, on Saturday of last week, over the S. G. & C. Railway. It numbered from 1,000 to 1,200 people, from Fall Brook and Morris Run, who traveled in wagons, over the hills and through the valleys, from those two mining towns, to the most accessible point on the route, a distance of many miles, to escape what they regarded as the extortionable rates sought to be imposed on them by the management of the Tioga Railway Company. (Watkins Express)

September 19, 1879 - Two Fall Brook box cars loaded with coal were burned in the yard west of Corning, early yesterday morning. The fire is supposed to have been incendiary. One tramp was arrested on suspicion. (Corning Journal)

December 5, 1879 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad Co. reports to the State Engineer its earning for the past year at $350,000, expenses $223,000 - a pretty good showing. (Geneva Gazette)

December 23, 1879 - The Fall Brook Coal Company are erecting a trestle in their yard near the shops at Corning, where it is proposed to retransfer the coal, when necessary, from one car to another, and also supply the engines; this has previously been done at the upper end of town, but since the company opened the S. G. & C. road, it has been found very inconvenient. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 22, 1880 - The demand for coal at Antrim, has caused the Fall Brook Coal Company to erect thirty new houses for the accommodation of miners. (Watkins Express)

spacer Fall Brook Coal Company Moves to Corning

January 28, 1880 - The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad will build a new brick depot at Corning in the spring; and all the offices of that railway and of the Fall Brook Coal Co. now at Watkins will be moved there. (Geneva Courier)

January 29, 1880 - The foreman of the Tioga railroad repair shops at Blossburg has received orders to commence narrowing the locomotives. There are now about 225 narrow gauge dumps, and as fast as the wide gauge becomes crippled, they are sent to the shop and narrowed. In a few months, therefore, the rolling stock of the Tioga railroad will be changed to narrow gauge. (Watkins Express)

February 13, 1880 - A fitting inauguration of the new era in the company's history will mark the removal of the Central office from Watkins back to Corning. A new depot will be built to include accommodations for the Superintendent's office, telegraph office, gentlemen's and ladies' waiting-room; the second story will contain the Fall Brook and Morris Run Coal Company's office, General Freight and Passenger Agent and Auditor's office, and President Magee's office, etc. A freight house of brick will be built in the rear, 40 by 118 feet, which will be finished in advance of the depot, as it is greatly needed by the rapidly increasing freight business of the road .. these buildings will be imposing in appearance and creditable to the company, and honor to the village. (Corning Journal)

February 20, 1880 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has removed its office from Watkins to Corning and desires all letters to be addressed to Corning. (Geneva Gazette)

February 25, 1880 - On Friday and Saturday last the Fall Brook Coal Company and also the Morris Run Coal Company's headquarters were transferred from this place to Corning. (Watkins Democrat)

March 5, 1880 - Walker and Lathrop have the contract for building the large two-story brick depot for the Fall Brook Coal Company, on the site of the present depot of the railroads operated by that Company. (Corning Journal)

March 11, 1880 - The miners at the Fall Brook & Morris Run Mines are on a strike, and have not worked since Saturday, Feb. 28th. They want an advance of ten cents per ton. They have been receiving fifty cents. (Watkins Express)

March 19, 1880 - Upwards of forty railroad men employed on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning, and Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim railroads, are lying idle at this place in consequence of the strike of the miners of Tioga County. (Corning Journal)

March 24, 1880 - The home of Gen. Magee in this village, is connected with the Corning office by telephonic communication . (Watkins Democrat)

March 31, 1880 - The Geneva & Lyons Railway, over which the Fall Brook Coal Company run their trains to connect with the 4 track Main Line of the N. Y. Central & H. R. Railway, is owned by the latter company and leased by the Fall Brook Company and the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. The track is considered one of the finest in the United States, being of steel rails, and braced on all the curves with iron braces to keep in line and prevent it from spreading. The Fall Brook Coal Company, during the past shipping season, delivered as high as 3000 tons of coal per day on the great Trestle of the N. Y. C. & Hudson River Railroad company at Lyons for engine use and distribution to points east and west. (Watkins Democrat)

April 7, 1880 - We are pleased to note that our village will not sustain the loss, by removal to Corning, of Gen. Geo. J. Magee, President of the S. G. & C. R. R.; Daniel Beach, Esq., Vice President and George Bartlett construction manager. (Watkins Democrat)

April 16, 1880 - The miners at Antrim have yielded and are at work again at the same wages as before. They have been striking for over a month and have gained nothing but have lost a great deal. The miners at Fall Brook, Arnot and Blossburg still hold out. (Corning Journal)

Excursion Ad
S. G. & C. Excursion Advertisement 
Corning Journal 

May 7, 1880 - On the farm of George Sly, on Post Creek, six miles north of Corning, Supt. Gorton of the S. G. & C. R.R. will put in a switch to run to the large tanks that the Oil Pipe-Line is to build immediately. The Railroad Company have made a contract with the Pipe Line Company, to carry from fifty to one hundred and fifty cars of oil northward daily, to the New York Central Railroad. (Corning Journal)

May 7, 1880 - Gen. Magee, accompanied by Austin Lathrop of Corning, departed last Saturday for Europe. On their return, the remains of Mrs. Ellsworth, sister of the former, who died recently in Paris, will be brought home for interment at Watkins. (Geneva Gazette)

June 11, 1880 - A new transfer depot has been erected at Himrods, at the junction of the Northern Central and Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railways. (Geneva Gazette)

July 23, 1880 - The great oil tank of the pipe line company, recently erected at Ferenbaugh's, on the S. G. & C. Railway, between Post Creek Station and Corning, has a capacity of 36,000 barrels ... it is distributed through an elevated horizontal pipe, as long as a train of oil cars, all of which can be loaded at once ... The idea that the S. G. & C. Railway, when constructed, three years ago, would soon be found practically in the oil regions, probably occurred to no one, yet such is now the fact ... (Watkins Express)

July 30, 1880 - All New York tickets sold by the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning R.R. are good for passage on Day Line Steamers from Albany to New York. Take the train leaving Corning at 8:20p.m and you arrive at Albany at 6:10 a.m. - Boat leaves Albany at 8:30 a.m. and Arrives in New York at 5:30 p.m. Cost of the round trip tickets $11.50. For River, Lake and Mountain Scenery, a trip on the Hudson at this season is unsurpassed. (Corning Journal)

July 31, 1880 - The Corning Journal says: "From the oil pipe-line station, on Post Creek, four miles north of Corning, the S. G. & C. R. R., now sends a daily train north to the New York Central, of seventy-five cars loaded with oil." (Havana Journal)

August 27, 1880 - With great pride we call attention to the large list of aquatic stars entered in the regatta at Geneva ... the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway Co., whose track skirts the lake shore parallel with the course to be rowed over, will run a train or "moving grand stand" of from 30 to 50 cars during each race, affording a near and perfect view therefrom of every oarsman in each race. One car, capable of seating 50, will be placed at the exclusive disposal of representatives of the Press. (Geneva Gazette)

October 7, 1880 - Burglars entered the Company's Office at Fall Brook, blew open the safe, and stole $29 in money and a R.R. draft for $482.22. They also took over fifty dollars of goods. (Corning Journal)

October 16, 1880 - The Fall Brook Coal Company will enlarge their depot at Lawrenceville on the C. C. & A. Ry. (Havana Journal)

November 18, 1880 - Coal train No. 14 on the Fall Brook road ran off the track at Mulhollen, demolishing twenty coal cars. The engine and fifteen coal cars passed over safely, when a rail broke, causing the accident. (Corning Journal)

January 4, 1881 - Besides speaking of the gross earnings of the Geneva & Corning Railroad, nearly $500,000 last year, another good word can be said of it: It is one of the best officered roads in the country from president down to brakeman. The trains are uniformly on time, and no accident has occurred that can be charged to carelessness. It has a record that will bear comparison with any other railroad in the country (Geneva Advertiser)

January 20, 1881 - The 5:30 p.m. Express train on the S. G. & C. railroad ran off the track near D. Ingersoll's, Wednesday, and five cars left the track. The passengers were brought to the Corning depot on a gondola. (Corning Journal)

February 2, 1881 - The S. G. & C. Railroad will have an entire new suit of steel rails as soon as the weather will permit the laying of it. The rushing coal business done by this Company requires the road bed and track to be in the very best possible condition. (Watkins Democrat)

February 9, 1881 - Commodore Foote, traveling agent of the Syracuse Geneva & Corning R. R., says there have been less blockades, fewer accidents and better time made on that highway than on any other in the State this winter. This is undoubtedly because the company employ none but competent men of whom there are none more efficient than the Commodore. (Watkins Democrat)

February 10, 1881 - The S. G. & C. are laying rails between Himrod and Geneva. (Corning Journal)

February 23, 1881 - A company has been formed for the construction of a railroad from Arnot, Pa., to Pine Creek, with the expectation that the route will ultimately be extended through to Williamsport, in which event it is thought that the Fall Brook Coal Company will extend the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Road from the last named place to Arnot, and thus establish a new through route from Williamsport to Lyons, on the New York Central, of which the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning would be a very important section. (Watkins Democrat)

February 24, 1881 - The Steamer "Magee" is making regular trips between Watkins and Geneva.(Corning Journal)

March 9, 1881 - The Blossburg Advertiser says the Fall Brook miners have asked for an advance of ten per cent. (Watkins Democrat)

March 13, 1881 - The Elmira Advertiser announces that Gen. G. J. Magee, of the Fall Brook Coal Company, has served a protest against the New York, Lackawanna & Western Railway Company's proposed crossing of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway, on the same route, at Corning. A change of route is demanded, which will make the crossing above grade. The result is awaited with much interest by numerous land owners, whose property will be crossed in case of the suggested alteration. (Waverly Advocate)

March 19, 1881 - Two new locomotives have been added to the rolling stock of the Fall Brook Coal Company. (Havana Journal)

March 23, 1881 - The new Fall Brook Depot is rapidly approaching completion ... Its outside appearance, although superior to any depot in the State, those of one or two cities, only, excepted, does not convey a full idea of the excellent arrangement of the interior, no of the elegance in which it will be finished and furnished. (Corning Democrat, reprinted in the Watkins Democrat)

April 14, 1881 - Steel rails are being laid on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad, and the entire line will be furnished with new ties. (Corning Journal)

April 21, 1881 - Trains on the S. G. & C. railway have been very irregular this week on account of the burning of the company's trestle at Himrod. Coal traffic for several days was almost entirely stopped, but arrangements were made whereby passengers were transferred with as little inconvenience as possible. (Corning Journal)


C. C. & A. & S. G. & C. (Fall Brook) Depot
From an 1883 Map of Corning, NY
Click image to see photo 

April 28, 1881 - The Depot of the Fall Brook Coal Company, operators of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning, and the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railroads, just completed at Corning, is one of the most elegant structures in the state. It is built of brick, 63x67 feet, and is three stories high ... the interior of the depot is handsomely finished in white pine and black walnut. It is heated by steam and furnished with all the modern improvements for the comfort and convenience of the traveler, and the employees .. the first room to the south of this hall belongs to the Magee Estate, and will be used for meetings of the Fall Brook Coal Company. The next room is the freight and American Express Office ... The offices on the second floor are furnished with Brussels carpets, marble mantels, elegant desks and are truly palatial ... the third floor of the depot will be used as a supply and store room. The depot is supplied with telephone. Contiguous to the depot, on the west, is a freight house of brick, 34x128 feet ... also a freight shed and baggage room of wood, 120 feet long, having an iron roof. (Corning Journal)

April 28, 1881 - It is reported that the Fall Brook Coal Company has acquired a controlling interest in the mining property and lands of the Tioga Improvement Company, near Blossburg, and that it is a valuable acquisition. (Watkins Express)

May 5, 1881 - President Magee, of the Fall Brook Coal Company, has entered a protest against the New York, Lackawanna and Western Railway, for crossing the S. G. & C. Railway on grade. If the protest is granted, a change of route will be made to cross above grade. (Corning Journal)

May 26, 1881 - The C. C. & A. is now running refrigerator cars through to N.Y. on every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. (Corning Journal)

May 26, 1881 - The Blossburg Register says that there are extensive improvements going on in Fall Brook. The roof of the depot is being raised one story, so as to have a good public hall. The prospectors having found a new and excellent vein of coal, and the company intends to run an extension of the railroad to it and erect schutes. Times begin to look prosperous for Fall Brook once more. A great many buildings are being painted and repaired and the hotel is being fixed up in fine manner and regaining its former popularity. (Watkins Express)

June 1, 1881 - Work is progressing rapidly on the culvert of the S. G. & C. R. R. bridge at Irelandville. The material for this fill will require soil of five aces of land to the depth of nine feet, or 1,960,200 square feet of earth. (Watkins Democrat)


S. G. & C. Timetable 
Corning Journal 

June 8, 1881 - Passenger traffic on the S. G. & C. and Northern Central Railroads has nearly doubled already. (Watkins Democrat)

June 15, 1881 - It has been General Magee's steadfast endeavor to perfect and improve his road. Wherever, as over the immense gulf at Irelandville, long and heavy trestling was at first necessary, it is now being filled in until the road bed rests on solid earth, and the iron rails already worn are being replaced by steel. The new buildings at Corning are models of elegance and taste, constructed of brick and iron, fire-proof and commodious, they ornament the town and well indicate the thrift and prosperity of the road. It has helped Watkins in a multitude of ways, opening up as it has, a new field for excursions, shortening by half the ride to Corning, and making a visit here and return in one day possible from cities still farther west ... Both the proprietors of the Glen and the people of the town ought to feel peculiarly grateful for the benefits and advantages of this new road already becoming a great thoroughfare ... " (Watkins Democrat)

June 25, 1891 - A northern exchange reports that the Fall Brook track in that locality is being relaid with new jumbo steel rails. (Watkins Express)

June 30, 1881 - The track of the "new" railroad, the N.Y., Lackawanna & Western, is to cross above the S. G. & C., a short distance south of the water cure. (Corning Journal)

July 7, 1881 - The news of the attempted assassination of President Garfield was received here Saturday morning about 10 o'clock. The depot was filled with persons, eager to hear the latest news. (Corning Journal)

July 27, 1881 - The extension of the Tioga railroad from Arnot, Pa., to Pine Creek, is being pushed forward, About three miles of track is finished, and grading on the rest of the road will be done in a short time. (Watkins Democrat)

August 9, 1881 - Work upon the double-track road between Geneva and Lyons was commenced last Sunday. A large number of men are employed, and the work will be completed within two weeks. They commenced work at the Y, about one mile or more east of the Geneva station. We apprehend the Geneva & Corning Road will be eventually double-tracked, as the coal and freight business is immense. (Geneva Advertiser)

August 10, 1881 - The work of filling in the "big gully" just north of Irelandville, on the S. G.& C. Railroad has commenced. (Watkins Democrat)

August 10, 1881- ... The excursion will go by way of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad; fare for the round trip only $1.25. The train leaves Lyons at 9 a.m., returning in the evening - giving ten hours at the Glen ... There will be an open air concert at the pavilion, commencing at 7:30 p.m., and undoubtedly those who wish to dance will be accommodated. Com. Foote, the ubiquitous and always affable traveling agent of the S. G. & C., will accompany the excursion and take personal charge of the company patronizing it. An excursion over the S. G. & C. without Com. Foote to steady it, would be no excursion at all. (Lyon s Republican)

August 25, 1881 - The Fall Brook Coal Company have let the contract to build a new round house at Corning, to Walker & Lathrop. It is to be directly opposite their present round house, and will be moved from the the same turn table that the old one is. It is to be large enough to hold nine engines. The building will be of brick, which are manufactured at the Corning brick yard. The work will be superintended by L. H. Brown. (Watkins Express)

October 7, 1881 - It is reported that W. H. Vanderbilt, President of the New York Central, has bought a large interest in the Reading Railroad, and intends to build a road to connect the Reading with the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad at Corning, thus to make a direct line to the New York Central at Geneva and Lyons. (Corning Journal)

October 18, 1881 - ... it is stated upon excellent authority that Vanderbilt has about completed arrangements for connections with the Anthracite coal fields. The connection is to be made by the Geneva and Lyons road to Corning, N. Y., and thence to Antrim, Tioga county. The Pennsylvania coal fields are already built. It is proposed to make Antrim the north terminus of the New Jersey Shore and the Pine Creek roads. The right of way for this road belongs to the Reading, and it has never been completed. When completed and used in connection with the roads mentioned it will give the New York Central an entrance into the Anthracite coal fields which is said to be about all the interest Vanderbilt has in the Reading railroad. (Associated Press)

November 17, 1881 - The total earnings of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad for the year were $513,591. (Corning Journal)

November 23, 1881 - The Syracuse & Geneva Railway has laid out about $300,000, in new steel rails, engines, filling in trestles with gravel and other permanent improvements during the past year. (Watkins Democrat)

November 30, 1881 - Last Monday morning at the Fall Brook Coal Co.'s switch engine was delivering a car load of lumber to Johnson & Sons planing mill, through some misunderstanding of the signals, the car was driven into the feed mill, moving the whole building forward about three feet. (Watkins Democrat reprint from Corning Democrat)

December 6, 1881 - Two weeks ago the Morris Run Coal Mining Company paid up in full the last and only debt they owed, and on the 1st instant the Fall Brook Coal Company called in and paid the remainder of their bonds, representing a loan of $1,100,000 contracted by the F. B. C. Co. five years ago, which leaves them free of all indebtedness. The above facts show good management on the part of those companies, and a healthy and prosperous condition of the trade in semi-bituminous coal. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 14, 1881 - Vanderbilt has purchased a large interest in the Morris Run Coal mines near Blossburg, Pa. (Watkins Democrat)

December 21, 1881 - The S. G. & C. railroad bed is in fine condition, and the rails are now of steel. This great expense during the year caused the expenses to exceed the receipts, though a large business was done. (Corning Journal)


Inspection Car "John"
Magee Family photo

December 21, 1881 - On Friday at 5 p.m., the writer, by invitation of Supt. Gorton, rode to Watkins Station in the "John", the car of Gen. Magee, President of the S. G. & C. R.R. It went to carry him and Mr. Daniel Beach, and good time was made. It had the "right of way", and freight trains took the switch or waited at stations. It was recently built at the Fall Brook shops, in Corning, and is a fine specimen of iron and wood work. It is a locomotive and coach combined. The engine is first class in strength and finish. The coach part is luxuriously fitted up, and the sides and front are mostly glass, and there are two doors on the front part. There is room for a dozen persons. L.B. Manning, one of the best engineers on any railroad, ran the car. (Corning Journal)

December 21, 1881 - The laying of steel rails on the S. G. & C. Railway, was completed on the entire line this week (Watkins Democrat)

December 21, 1881 - The Penn Yan and New York Railroad, if ever built, will be all of six miles in length. (Watkins Democrat)

December 22, 1881 - Gen G. J. Magee has become the President of the Morris Run Coal Mining Co., Daniel Beach still filling the position of Treasurer. More progress. (Watkins Express)

December 28, 1881 - The Fall Brook Coal Company have added three new engines and added a number of cars to their rolling stock, in order to meet the increased business of the coal traffic. (Watkins Democrat)

January 5, 1882 - More coal was mined at Antrim during the month of December last, than during any like period since the mines were opened. (Watkins Express)

January 10, 1882 - The New Years [pass] card sent out by the Fall Brook Coal Co., is the neatest design that has come under our observation in many a day. The left half is ornamented with a plate view of the famous Glen Bridge, and as is carved on the rock below, the words "Pass, unless otherwise ordered." The upper right hand corner bears the signature of the millionaire President of the company, Gen. Geo. J. Magee. (Geneva Advertiser)

January 18, 1882 - Reading Centre Station on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway is nearly in the geographical center of the town of Reading, and thus surrounded by a fine agricultural region, it is becoming one of the most important shipping points on the route ...The establishment of Reading Centre station was a wise conclusion on the part of the managers of the S. G. & C. Railway, as it rendered the road of almost incalculable benefits to the people of Reading, and its central location and facilities for market, must in time, render it the business center of that town. (Watkins Democrat)

January 24, 1882 - The road which is to connect Reading with the New York Central system will extend from Williamsport to Antrim, there connecting with the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning, and the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim roads. This establishes a connection with New York Central at both Geneva and Lyons. The connecting roads are managed by Gen. Geo. J. Magee, of Watkins, who will also have charge of the new line from Antrim to Williamsport. It is understood that Mr. Vanderbilt furnishes the money to build the road, while Gen. Magee will see that the interest is met. The road will give about 3,000,000 tons of coal per annum to New York Central. (N .Y. Mail)

spacer Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railway Co.

January 25, 1882 - At the office of the Reading Railroad Company it was said yesterday that the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railroad will be placed under construction at once, and completed within the present year, thus connecting the railway system of the New York Central and Lake Shore Companies with that of the Reading Company by means of the Geneva and Lyons Railway, the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway and the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railway: and all the companies named unite in a perpetual agreement forming a new trunk line from the West to Philadelphia, and giving the Reading Railroad Company a western and northern outlet for anthracite coal over the lines of the New York Central and its connections. The New York Central Company thus secures from the Reading Railroad Company, which owns more anthracite coal than all the other coal companies united, a much more abundant supply of anthracite traffic as back loading for its returning cars to the West than any other of the trunk lines can control, and the Reading Railroad secures by the new allegiance what it has so long desired, a Western market for its anthracite coal and the position of at trunk line in Philadelphia. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

January 25, 1882 - Wedgewood Station on the S. G. and C. Railway, according to the Havana Journal, now has a fine hall for public entertainments, that will seat about one hundred and fifty persons. (Watkins Democrat)

January 26, 1882 - There are one hundred and fifty men employed in the "Magee Shops," in this village, where railroad cars and locomotives are repaired, or cars built. (Corning Journal)

January 26, 1882 - The employees in the depot of the Fall Brook Coal Company, have fitted up a complete gymnasium in the third story of the new depot. (Corning Journal)

January 26, 1882 - President Vanderbilt, of the N.Y. Central, has bought of the Reading Railroad the charter of the Jersey Shore & Pine Creek Railway, projected some years ago, and on the east end of which considerable work was done ... the east portion is to be built this year, viz, from Williamsport to Pine Creek. The road will be under the management of General Magee. When the N.Y. Central gets an outlet to the south, and can get hard coal direct from the mines of Eastern Pennsylvania, the traffic and travel will go over the lines of the Fall Brook Coal Company (the Syracuse & Corning, and he Corning & Antrim) ... the business will require a double-track from Marsh Creek to Corning, and thence to Lyons, where the four tracks of the N.Y. Central are reached. It is the realization of the hopes of the founders of Corning. The village is to be on a great highway from the North to the South. (Corning Journal)

January 27, 1882 - Although many of our readers have no doubt read the recent announcement of the intended connection of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad with the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning, some may not have so noticed it. It is therefore pertinent to call attention to it, and to some of the consequences which may result from it. It is stated that this connection has been arranged by the Vanderbilt influence and is for the purpose of furnishing freight for the New York Central's west-bound cars. (Geneva Gazette)

February 2, 1882 - The Fall Brook Coal Company are filling their ice house, to-day, from Hodgman's mill-pond, at Painted Post. The ice is over a foot thick. (Corning Journal)

February 2, 1882 - The Fall Brook Coal Company have ordered three new engines and are compelled to add a great number of cars to their rolling stock, in order to meet the increased business of the coal traffic. (Watkins Express)

February 2, 1882 - A dispatch received at Corning states that last night the depot and the hotel at Antrim were burned. The building was owned by the Fall Brook Coal Company. (Corning Journal)

February 2, 1882 - When we say that Gen. Geo. J. Magee has been one of the leading and most influential of all the men engaged in securing the extension of the G. & L., S. G. & C., and C. C. & A. Railway route, so as to make the roads named connecting links of a grand through Trunk Route between the South and the New York Central, we simply state a fact which is highly creditable to Mr. Magee, and an achievement of which he, those cooperating with him, the village of Watkins, the county of Schuyler, and all Central and Western New York have reason to be proud. (Watkins Express)

February 3, 1882 - The stockholders passed a resolution requiring the officers of the company to immediately commence the construction of a railroad from Williamsport by the way of Jersey Shore to Marsh Creek, and a connecting line from that point to the C. C. & A. railroad at or near Stokesdale ... Work will be commenced on the new line as soon as the weather will permit, and will be prosecuted with all possible rapidity ... To General Magee, Tioga County owes a debt of gratitude that will not be overlooked. For years he has devoted his time, his talents and his capitol to the prosecution of undertakings that have untold value to the county. He has labored zealously for the Pine Creek railroad, and it is safe to say that without his exertions its completion would have been delayed at least a generation. (Geneva Gazette)

February 4, 1882 - The New York Central and Hudson River R. R. Co., the Geneva and Lyons R. R. Co., The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning R. R. Co., the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Ry. Co., The Fall Brook Coal Company (lessee of the lines of the two companies immediately preceding), the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Ry. Co., the Philadelphia and Reading Co., The Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Co. entered into a contract to endure for 999 years, providing for an interchange of through and local traffic and the formation of a through line between Buffalo and Philadelphia. (Poors Manual of Railroads in the United States, 1889)

February 8, 1882 - One hundred and fifty men are employed in the two "Magee" car shops, in Corning. (Watkins Democrat)

February 10, 1882 - Early Wednesday morning the repair shops of the Geneva and Lyons Railroad, situated in the immediate vicinity of the hard coal trestle works at Lyons, were destroyed by fire. The flames communicated also to the trestle which was extensively damaged. (Geneva Gazette)

February 11, 1882 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad makes close and convenient connections with the New York Central at Geneva and Lyons, and with the Erie at Corning. (Havana Journal)

February 16, 1882 - The Fall Brook Coal Company, through its President, Gen. George J. Magee of this village, has ordered thirty new engines to operate the new road which is to be built from Stokesdale to Williamsport. It is reported that all the westward-bound passenger trains of the Reading Railroad will pass through Corning, from Corning by the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning road to Lyons, thence west by the New York Central, thus opening another through passenger line from the East to the West. (Watkins Express)

February 21, 1882 - Great credit is due General Geo. J. Magee for working the combinations that has given a new trunk line to the south from Geneva. The S. G. & C. now takes rank as a first class railroad, and there appears early necessity of its being double tracked. (Geneva Advertiser)

February 23, 1882 - Twenty car loads of steel rails have been lying at this station, awaiting shipment to Stokesdale, Tioga county, where they are to be used for the Jersey Shore and Pine Creek railroad, Work on this road is being rapidly pushed. Three gangs of surveyors are employed, and the company has advertised for railroad ties. (Corning Journal)

February 27, 1882 - The opening of a direct railroad to Williamsport this spring, is to be of signal advantage to Corning, as it places it on the highway to Eastern or Southern Pennsylvania, and the business to be done upon the railroad will to some extent benefit this village. The headquarters of the "Jersey Shore, Pine Creek & Buffalo Railroad" are to be in the Fall Brook Depot at Corning. The railroad is to be operated by the Fall Brook Company, of which Gen. George J. Magee, of Watkins, is the President, and as such he has control of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad, and of the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railway. He is also to control a railroad that will be built the present year from Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Pa., to Clearfield and Centre Counties, in that state, a railroad of a hundred miles in length, and a coal railroad, as it is to reach new and extensive mines of coal in those Counties. (Corning Journal reprinted in the Geneva Courier)

March 1, 1882 - The Bloss Coal Company; the Tioga Improvement Company; the Fall Brook Coal Company; the Syracuse Salt Company; The Elmira & State Line Railroad Company; Phelps Dodge & Company ... all these are instances of outside capital attracted here by our coal, lumber, bark and traffic. But of all the capitalists mentioned, Tioga country is the most indebted to the late John Magee (the founder of the Fall Brook Coal Company) for the development of our mines. A man of extraordinary sagacity, he put his capital into coal lands, and then with untiring energy and with skill and courage, he laid the foundation, more than a quarter century ago, for the great connections which his son, Gen. Geo. J. Magee has now completed. (Elmira Advertiser reprinted in Geneva Gazette)

March 7, 1882 - Lyons papers state that the work of double tracking the Geneva & Lyons railroad has already commenced. (Geneva Advertiser)

March 7, 1882 - The work of surveying and locating the route of the Pine Creek Railway has been completed from Stokesdale to the mouth of Marsh creek and the grading and track leveling will be commenced as soon as the right of way is secured. There are already fifty car loads of steel rails at Stokesdale for the new road. An engineer corps of eleven men started out yesterday morning to begin work at the Manchester farm, working down Pine creek until they meet the other party which started from Williamsport several days ago. The surveyors will board and lodge in an ark which has been provided for their accommodations and which will be floated down the stream as they progress with the work. (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 8, 1882 - The waiting rooms at the Watkins Station, on the S. G. & C. Railway, have recently been neatly and elegantly painted and put in excellent condition, for the accommodation of the traveling public over this excellent thoroughfare. (Watkins Democrat)

March 8, 1882 - The C. C. & A. Railway, a continuance of the S. G. & C. is being relaid with steel rails. (Watkins Democrat)

March 8, 1882 - The Yates County Chronicle says that the Penn Yan & N. Y. Railroad will soon be built. The officers of this road some time ago proposed to Vanderbilt for him to build and operate it. He referred the matter to Gen. Geo. J. Magee, and now encouraging word has been received from Gen. Magee, requesting the officers of the new road to be ready to act on short notice. So may it be. (Geneva Courier)

March 9, 1882 - The Wellsboro (Pa.) Gazette says that a coal washer and coke ovens are to be constructed at Tioga, for the Fall Brook Coal Company, to be used in converting coal into coke from the Antrim, Morris Run and Fall Brook mines. The work, if rumor be true, will be under the supervision of Hon. S. B. Elliot, former superintendent of the coal mines at Arnot. (Watkins Express)

March 13, 1882 - Walker and Lathrop, contractors for the first twenty miles of the Pine Creek Railroad, are to have their section finished on or before October 15th. (Corning Journal)

March 13, 1882 - Yesterday afternoon, Watson Cowan was killed by being struck by the engine and coach "John." three or four miles miles south of Corning. He was walking on the track and was deaf ... The "John" had been up to Stokesdale with General Magee and was returning rapidly. His body was hurled against a glass door ... the plate glass fell within upon General Magee and covered the floor. (Corning Journal)

March 14, 1882 - The Wellsboro Agitator says: The work of surveying and locating the route of the Pine Creek railway has been completed from Stokesdale to the mouth of Marsh creek, and the grading and track-laying will be commenced as soon as the right of way is secured. There are already fifty car-loads of steel rails at Stokesdale for the new road. (Geneva Advertiser)

March 28, 1882 - The long talked-of railroad between Penn Yan and Dresden, has again been revived, and Penn Yan now confidently expects it will be built ere long. (Geneva Courier)

April 8, 1882 - "... an agreement entered into on the 4th of February last, between the New York Central Railroad Company, the Fall Brook Coal Company and the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railroad Company, by which it is agreed to form a through line from Philadelphia to Buffalo, to be called the "new line." This link will cross the Susquehannah River at Sunbury with a new iron bridge, and proceed thence up the west branch of the Susquehannah, through Lewisbury to West Milton. It will be double track, with steel rails and completed by the first of January next. (New York Evening Post).

April 18, 1882 - The double track of the Geneva & Lyons railroad extends from Lyons to Thompson's, and from Geneva to Bennett's, leaving about the middle half to be completed. (Geneva Advertiser)

April 27, 1882 - Seven car-loads of immigrants, to be employed on the Pine Creek railroad, passed through Corning ... they came from New York in New York Central cars via Lyons. (Corning Journal)

May 11, 1882 - The prospects for a railway from Penn Yan to Dresden are reported good as both Mr. Vanderbilt and Mr. Magee desire it. (Corning Journal)

May 17, 1882 - The Railway Age is responsible for the following: "While General George J. Magee, president of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railway, was traveling in his private car near Corning, N. Y., recently, he was surprised by the sudden appearance of a man who came crashing through the plate glass door. The intruder had been walking on a side track where he was struck by a passing train and thrown into the presence of General Magee, dead. (Geneva Courier)

May 18, 1882 - The work of filling in the trestles upon the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railway at Himrods is fairly under way. A large hill of gravel has been purchased by the company, a track laid, and the steam shovel and the gravel train are now at work. (Watkins Express)

May 25, 1882 - Many of the farmers along the route of the S. G. & C. Railway are clearing their fields of stone and piling them beside the railroad track. They are to be used in filling the low trestle along the lake shore at Geneva, and have been purchased at forty cents per cubic yard. (Watkins Express)

June 1, 1882 - The Pine Creek Railroad has now in employ two thousand five hundred men, among whom are one hundred colored laborers, imported for the purpose from Virginia. (Corning Journal)

June 8, 1882 - The new Episcopal Church in Antrim was dedicated Wednesday. A special train was run from Watkins to Antrim; General Magee's private car, Glenfeld, bringing himself and family and friends from Watkins, two coaches were added here, which were filled by those invited from Corning, Tioga and Wellsboro ... the new church is constructed from Antrim stone and a memorial of the liberality of the donor, the late John Magee, Jr., brother of Gen. George J. Magee. He left by his will fifty thousand dollars, to be expended in the construction of five churches. (Corning Journal)

June 8, 1882 - The S. G. & C. and D. L. & W. Railways are to be connected at Corning with a "Y." (Watkins Express)

June 15, 1882 - W. H. Vanderbilt has said the Pine Creek Railway will be completed by the first of December. (Corning Journal)

June 17, 1882 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad has made a station and built a depot on the road near Long Point. (Havana Journal)

Mon atop coal train
Coal train passes over SG&C Watkins Glen trestle,
with man standing atop coal - 1882

Stereo image by G. F. Gates of Watkins - Thanks to Richard Palmer

June 28, 1882 - The Glen Bridge Pavilion, on the line of the S. G. & C. Railway, at the head of Watkins Glen, and a few rods north of the celebrated iron bridge, from which it takes its name, was opened for the season (Thursday) morning, June 15th ... This is a pleasant and highly attractive summer resort station for the people along the whole S. G. & C. Railway route, between Lyons and Antrim ... (it) cannot fail to command crowds of visitors, who can easily explore the Glen from this point, on half-rate coupons attached to their excursion tickets, and issued for that special purpose. (Geneva Courier)

June 29, 1882 - Two trains on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad collided at Geneva. Both engines and seven cars were derailed. No one was hurt, the engineers and fireman escaping by jumping. (Corning Journal)

July 6, 1882 - This morning, Gen. Magee, Spt. Gorton, and Chief Engineer Elliott of the Fall Brook company, and the General Superintendent and Chief Engineer of the N.Y. Central & Hudson River Railroad, went to Tioga, Pa., where the Fall Brook Coal Company are building two hundred coke ovens. The trip is said to be on that account, but it is rumored that the object is to decide upon extending the C.C.& A. Railroad from Tioga Village to Blossburg, and thus give it a through line to the Fall Brook mines. (Corning Journal)

July 6, 1882 - Gen. George J. Magee accompanied President Vanderbilt, of the Central, on his fast trip to the northwest. (Watkins Express)

July 12, 1882 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee and the superintendent of the Fall Brook R. R., have gone over the route from Tioga to Blossburg, to procure the right of way for the new railroad. The surveyors have already commenced work. They propose to finish the new road before January 1st, 1883. (Watkins Democrat)

July 13, 1882 - There is evidently to be a branch railroad from Tioga Village to Blossburg ... The N.Y. Central owns half of the Morris Run Mines, and the Fall Brook Coal Company wish to reach Fall Brook without running over the Tioga road. Thus the two interests will build the twenty miles between the station on the C. C. & A. railroad at Tioga Village, to Blossburg .(Corning Journal)

July 26, 1882 - There is talk of extending the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim railroad from Tioga village to Blossburg, thereby making a through line to the Fall Brook mines. (Geneva Courier)

July 27, 1882 - A movement for the construction of a narrow gauge railway from Gaines, Pa., in the Cowanesque Valley, to Addison, N Y., on the line of the Erie. Hon Ex-U.S. Senators Roscoe Conkling and Thomas C. Platt and other strong men are engaged in the scheme, including President Jewett, of the Erie. This enterprise is not relished by the N. Y. Central and the S. G. & C. Railway Companies, and efforts are being made to checkmate the same … The only way to "head 'em off" seems to be the prompt extension of the Ekland branch of the C. C. & A. road up the valley to Westfield. (Watkins Express)


New Chutes for Loading Trains at Morris Run

July 31, 1882 - The new railroad from Tioga to Blossburg will be one mile shorter than the old one between the same places. It will be a very easy graded and very straight road. The road will be run on the west side of Blossburg on the hill and will follow this hill around nearly to Arnot where the Fall Brook company own quite a quantity of coal land ... The Tioga railroad company own the road now running from Blossburg to Morris Run, and the new company will not touch it anywhere. (Williamsport Daily Gazette & Bulletin)

August 3, 1882 - Corning is to be materially benefitted by an extension of the branch of railroad that runs from Lawrenceville to Ekland, twelve miles up the Cowanesque Valley ... The road is to be of standard gauge, and will run thru the fertile and populous Cowanesque Valley. (Corning Journal)

August 8, 1882 - General Magee's private car went through here Wednesday evening, bearing the owner and his family to Long Beach on Long Island, away from the clatter of car wheels and coal dust. (Geneva Advertiser)

August 10, 1882 - ... the extension of the Cowanesque Valley R.R. (Magee Road) standard gauge to Olean, (will) there form a connection with the N. N. Y. & P. Railway into Buffalo, and a further connection with the Lake Shore Railroad for Chicago and the west. The latter connection is to relieve the S. G. & C. Railway line of a portion of the large tonnage to come over the Pine Creek Road from the Philadelphia & Reading R.R. (Corning Journal)

August 16, 1882 - It is reported [in the Watkins Express] that the Fall Brook Company, under the Presidency of Gen. G. J. Magee, of this village, has commenced work on the extension of the Cowanesque Valley Railway, from Ekland to Westfield - a movement well calculated to put a stop to the proposed Addison & Gains Narrow Gauge road. (Geneva Courier)

August 24, 1882 - The Fall Brook company have decided to extend the railroad from Elkland to Harrison Valley, in Potter Co., Pa., instead of making the terminus at Westfield. (Corning Journal)

August 31, 1882 - The S. G. & C. Railway company will run a special train to Watkins, Saturday, September 2nd, to accommodate all who wish to attend Jumbo Barnum's Circus. We predict that it will contain many coaches, and that Watkins will witness the largest crowd it has known for years. (Watkins Express)

September 7, 1882 - Two heavily laden excursion trains, from the Cowanesque Valley, containing in all not less than 1000 people, came over the S. G. & C. road, on the great Barnum show day - Saturday, Sept. 2d - and helped swell the big crowd. Commodore Foote helped to work up the excursion, and it was a great success. (Watkins Express)

September 26, 1882 - Mr. H. B. Stoll, has been transferred from Geneva to the freight yard of the Fall Brook Coal Company at Lyons, as yard master. He is about as thorough a railroad man as can be found every day. (Geneva Advertiser)

October 12, 1882 - Gen. G. J. Magee, of this village, in company with W. H. Vanderbilt, and several other gentlemen, has gone on a trip to Salt Lake City and vicinity, and will be absent about three weeks. (Watkins Express)

October 19, 1882 - The Cowanesque Railroad has been built to Knoxville. (Corning Journal)

October 25, 1882 - The "broad gauge" extension of the Cowanesque branch, running from Lawrenceville, now extends to Knoxville, and must be regarded as a source of great convenience to the traveling public of that section of the country. Gen. Magee is fast extending his railways through the coal fields to the great cities of Pennsylvania, thus enabling him to compete in a field heretofore entirely beyond his reach, with any degree of profit. Should health and prosperity of the same degree he has experienced for the past six years, attend him in the future his railway lines and connections will be equalled only by those of Jay Gould and Vanderbilt, the railroad kings of the present day. (Watkins Democrat)

October 24, 1882 - Yesterday afternoon the first passenger train to Manchester carried an excursion party of about forty persons from this borough, including railroad officials and their invited guests ... the excursionists were met by Gen, George J. Magee, Superintendent Gorton, Daniel Beach, George D. Meigs, John Lang and C. B. Hollis, who came up from Corning on the "John" - Gen. Magee's locomotive car ... The "John" led the way and the excursion train followed, over the Marsh Creek division of the new road in Manchester, a distance of eight miles from Stokesdale ... No sane man would have dared to predict ten months ago that the locomotive whistle would awaken the mountain echoes of the Pine Creek gorge in the fall of 1882, but here we saw men busy laying track around the old "narrows," a new depot and freight-house ready for use and new buildings going up in the vicinity in anticipation of business. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 2, 1882 - The depots and freight houses on the line of the C. C. & A. Railroad have been newly painted in two shades of drab. (Watkins Express)

November 16, 1882 - The Fall Brook Coal Company have been relaying the C. C. & A., between Wellsboro and Antrim with new steel rails. (Watkins Express)

November 24, 1882 - Trains of the S. G. & C. R. R. broke down on the road between Himrods Junction and Dresden. The passengers were transferred, after waiting four hours, to the night Express, reaching here at 11 p.m. The cause of the accident was the breakage of a valve stem on locomotive 22. (Geneva Gazette)


Geneva Schedule - November 2, 1882 

December 1882 - A coalition of New York coal operators and railroad barons, led by Vanderbilt, took control of 33,000 acres of coal lands in Centre and Clearfield Counties ... a new company was chartered as the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Company (CBC)... investors included Wm. and Cornelius Vanderbilt of NYCRR ... George J. Magee of Watkins, director of the Fall Brook Coal Co; and John Lang of Corning, director of Blossburg Coal Co. Other notable participants were Samuel Clemens of Elmira ...

December 13, 1882 - The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad is doing an immense amount of coal traffic now days. The road can hardly keep up with the demands of the trade. (Watkins Democrat)

December 14, 1882 - The S. G. & C. Railway Co.'s extension of the Cowanesque Valley branch of the C. C. & A. route has reached Westfield, to which point the cars are running. (Watkins Express)

December 15, 1882 - Gen. George J. Magee, of Watkins, one of the trustees of Willard Asylum was present at the annual meeting of the board last Tuesday, and made the trip from Watkins to the asylum in his car "John," via the S. G. & C., the G. I. & S. and the H. C. O. & W. railroads. This is the first "passenger train" over the new road. (Geneva Gazette)

December 20, 1882 - When the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek & Buffalo road is completed it is to be leased and operated by the Fall Brook Coal Company. The New York Central furnish the means for constructing the road. The grade of the extension referred to, is quite easy. From Williamsport to Stokesdale there is only about an average of fifteen feet grade to the mile. The heaviest grade is only twenty-five feet to the mile, and that is in the vicinity of Williamsport. There is an active force of over 4,000 men that have been engaged on the line since June last. (Watkins Democrat)

December 20, 1882 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee, of Watkins, one of the Trustees of the Willard Asylum reached Willard last Tuesday by his private car "John" via S. G. & C. R. R. to Geneva, the G. I. & S. R. R. to Hayts Corners, the H. C. O. & W. R. R. to Willard, and attended the annual meeting of the board of trustees held at the asylum on that day. The run over the new road from Hayts Corners to Willard we are informed was made in sixteen minutes, a distance of four miles. As the ballasting of the road has not yet been commenced, the time made by his car would show an unusually well made road-bed, and reflects credit upon its makers. (Geneva Courier)

December 28, 1882 - The track is still being laid on the Pine Creek Railway at the rate of two and one-half miles a day. (Watkins Express)

January 13, 1883 - The Fall Brook company received and placed upon its roads recently six new "jumbo" locomotives, which haul unusually long trains of coal cars over the road to Lyons. They are among the most powerful locomotives made, each engine being furnished with eight great drive wheels. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 16, 1883 - A bad smash up occurred last Saturday evening on the S. G. & C. railway, that resulted in the severe injury of several persons and the destruction of considerable railroad property ... Gen. George J. Magee, and Daniel Beach, Esq., of Watkins were on the wrecked train. On leaving Corning Gen. Magee was in the forward part of the baggage car enjoying a cigar, but fortunately he went back to the passenger coach before the accident happened, although it is his usual custom to smoke until the train reaches Beaver Dams. Had he done so Saturday evening he could hardly have escaped without severe injury. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 18, 1883 - Saturday evening last, at Ferenbaugh's station, about four miles north of Corning on the S. G. & C. Railway, an empty coal train collided with the evening passenger train going northward. …The engine of the passenger train was completely destroyed by the shock, and conductor Way, mail agent Hartwell and brakeman Ferguson were injured …(Watkins Express)

January 18, 1883 - The passenger train on the S. G. & C. railroad, due at Geneva at 11 p.m. Saturday night, ran into a coal train this side of Corning. An instant before the collision the engineer and fireman of the passenger train leaped to the ground and saved their lives … Gen. Magee was on board, and with the passengers got a lively shaking up but escaped injury. (Geneva Gazette)

January 18, 1883 - The sudden apparition of Mr. Vanderbilt in the business life of the great Clearfield coal region, where he has purchased large tracts of land, has roused a lively interest as to the manner of his plans and the manner of their execution. … To whom it is of the most importance, whether to Mr. Vanderbilt, to our local leaders, such as Mr. Magee or Senator Wallace, to the Pennsylvania Railroad or to the miners and shippers of the region in question, has not yet been settled. Mr. Magee is happy at the thought of new business for the Jersey Shore and Pine Creek Railroad, Senator Wallace is happy over the sale of lands, Mr. Vanderbilt is happy at having found a good opening for some of his surplus wealth and the opportunity to do his old friend Magee a good turn … (Watkins Express)

February 22, 1883 - On Tuesday morning the writer left on the combined engine and coach "John" of the Fall Brook Coal Company, on a trip to Blackwells on the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railway ... after thirty five mile ride on the road to Antrim, three miles this side of Wellsboro, we reached the junction of the new railroad with the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railroad ...the "John" which was to open to us the mysterious region down the Creek, has for its engineer, Lewis B. Manning, of Corning, one of the most cautious and competent locomotive engineers to be found anywhere. His fireman is John Krebs. When one hundred miles of railroad is built this year from Williamsport to the soft coal mines in Centre and Clearfield counties, much of the coal mined will come over the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek & Buffalo to reach and be distributed by the N.Y. Central. It is a cause for rejoicing that Corning is on the line of such a thoroughfare, and will be head of a Division, and the headquarters of the Fall Brook Coal Company which is to operate the entire route. It is due to William H. Vanderbilt .. to say that it is owing to him that there is to be such a railroad route. It is also due to General George J. Magee to say that he suggested the project to Mr. Vanderbilt. (Corning Journal)

February 22, 1883 - The West Shore Railway will cross the Geneva & Lyons above grade, the trestle now being in process of erection. (Watkins Express)

March 8, 1883 - An extensive addition is to be made to the Depot of the Fall Brook Coal Company, by the building of a second story to the Freight department ... the new offices will be heated by steam and elegantly furnished. (Corning Journal)

March 8, 1883 - The Fall Brook Company has contracted for seventeen new engines. Two are of the "Mogul" style. Fifteen are what is known as the ten-wheel connected "Consolidation" pattern. They have eight driving wheels, four on a side, and weigh over fifty tons each. Their enormous power will be used for drawing coal trains. The Company has also done a praiseworthy thing in adopting the Westinghouse air-brakes and the Miller platform, which will immediately be put on all passenger cars. (Corning Journal)

March 13, 1883 - There is a rumor afloat that the Fall Brook Coal Company has made a contract with the Tioga Railroad Company for trackage from Lawrenceville to Blossburg for a term of 20 years. If this report is true, it puts to rest the scheme for a rival railroad up the Tioga River. (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 13, 1883 - The new railroad from Penn Yan to Dresden, N.Y., is a sure thing now. It is expected that the contract for its construction will be executed by March 15th and that work will begin forthwith. General George Magee is to operate the new road, (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 14, 1883 - The F. B. C. Co. have a new engine no. 40. It made a trial trip to Beaver Dams last Friday, drawing a train of mixed cars carrying over 500 tons of coal or about 40 eight wheel car loads, when the ordinary engine draws about 22 cars or 260 tons. It (no. 40) is a very powerful, large engine with eight driving wheels and weighs about 60 tons. It looks like an elephant among cattle. It is named "Susquehanna, but the R. R. boys call it "Jumbo." It will work on Antrim Hill on the C. C. & A. R. R. The company has eleven more large coal engines nearly done and many more ordered. Showing a very rapidly increasing business. (Watkins Democrat)

March 20, 1883 - The new locomotives of Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad are mammoth ones, weighting 45 to 50 tons each, with power to pull a heavy train over the heaviest grades. (Geneva Advertiser)

March 27, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company will have seventeen new freight engines to operate the Pine Creek railway. The locomotives weight fifty tons each and will have eight driving wheels each, being designed for hauling the heavy freight trains that will go over the new road. (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 28, 1883 - The Penn Yan and Dresden railroad will have a good line to connect with at the latter place. The probability is that the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning road will be double tracked this year. (Watkins Democrat)

March 29, 1883 - The engine car "John," of the S. G. & C. Railway, passed southward over the Northern Central road on Monday last en route for Elmira. It contained Superintendent Meade and Chief Engineer Ames, of the N. C. Railway, and Superintendent Gorton and Master Mechanic Bartlett, of the S. G. & C. Railway. "John" is no uncommon sight along the line of the S. G. & C., but Monday was the first time it ever passed through Watkins. (Watkins Express)

March 29, 1883 - A dispatch from Tioga, Pa., to the Elmira Advertiser of recent days says: The Pine Creek, Jersey Shore and Buffalo Railroad is rapidly approaching its connection with their southern outlet at Jersey Shore, Pa. - Mr. Hard, the engineer, states that, nothing preventing, the work will be done about the 15th of May. The rails are being laid and ballasted, close after the grading; and 4,000 new coal cars are being delivered, and four large consolidated (sic) engines are now at Corning, one of which hauled 900 tons of coal from the mines in one train last week, which was never done before. (Watkins Express)

March 30, 1883 - The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad have adopted the Westinghouse air brake and the Miller platform and buffer. They will be placed on all passenger trains at once. (Geneva Gazette)

March 31, 1883 - Gen. Magee's dummy Engine, "John," used for small parties and quick trips over the S. G. & C. Railroad, made a great sensation at Elmira Tuesday afternoon of this week. Superintendent Gorton of the S. G. & C., had been to Himrods Junction to meet Superintendent Meade, of the Northern Central, and having finished their business, Mr. Gorton took Mr. Meade back to Elmira over the N. C. R., returning via the Erie. When the "John" stopped at the Elmira Union Depot, it was surrounded by a thousand people in a moment. (Havana Journal)

April 3, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company commenced hauling their own coal over the Tioga Railroad from Fall Brook and Morris Run yesterday, (Wellsboro Agitator)

spacer Corning Roundhouse Fire
Ruins of Corning Enginehouse
Ruins of the engine house at Corning after a fire on April 2, 1883
It contained five 50-ton engines, and four smaller ones.
The loss was estimated at $75,000
From a stereo view by Corning photographer A. D. Jaynes

April 3, 1883 - The roundhouse of the Fall Brook Coal Company at Corning, NY was burned last evening. It contained five 50-ton engines and four small ones. Loss $75,000. (NYT)

April 4, 1883 - The building contained nine stalls, occupied by three locomotives, five large consolidated freight engines, entirely new and received within three weeks, and General Magee's private engine and car combined. The wood work of the engine was entirely consumed and the extent of the damage to the running parts cannot be determined except upon examination. If the locomotives are entirely destroyed, the loss on them will be $105,000; insured for $42,500. The building was valued at $10,000 and insured for one-half that amount This is the most destructive fire Corning has known for years. (Steuben Advocate)

(ed. note - Ironically ...) April 4, 1883 - The Corning correspondent of the Elmira Advertiser gives the following description: Engine "John," the private conveyance of General George J. Magee over his railways is such an admirable piece of machinery that a short description may prove interesting. On the exterior it appears like a short passenger car, resting on low trucks, and in color and striping is equal to the finest drawing-room cars. It is propelled by a single pair of forty-two inch driving wheels, which are situated about under the center, having two pistons. It cannot stop at a dead point, Under the passenger compartment is a truck having paper wheels. The other end rests on a single pair of paper wheels, weighing fourteen tons and having excellent spring adjustment. The side motion is less than that of a passenger car at the same speed, and its capability of maintaining the rail is amply guaranteed by its weight and peculiar construction. It is capable of fifty-five miles an hour. The forward compartment is richly furnished and can accommodate ten passengers comfortably. A system of steam pipes radiates the requisite heat in the winter. The upper parts of the doors are plate glass and may be swung open, while the lower part remains shut. This is a particularly enjoyable feature of a summer ride. The other compartment contains the machinery, and has ample accommodations for the engineer and fireman. A bell connected with a cord passing through the forward compartment, give the engineer notice to stop, start, etc. Sufficient coal and water space is provided for long runs. A great many conveyances have been designed for the purpose for which this is used; but in none of them, we venture to say, have the necessary conditions been so perfectly observed. Here is a machine uniting the qualities of absolute safety with a high speed, and at the same time costing but the minimum for repairs, fuel, etc. It was built at the company's shops in this place, from designs furnished by A. H. Gorton, general superintendent, assisted by O. C. Patchel, master mechanic. Mr. Gorton may be proud of his success in engine "John." He has been identified with the railways of the Fall Brook Coal company almost since their inception and has demonstrated his fitness for the position in everything which he was called to perform. (Watkins Democrat)

April 5, 1883 - At half-past ten o'clock on Tuesday night a fire broke out in the Round House of the Fall Brook Coal Company. It was soon consumed. There were eight locomotives quartered therein, five being of the largest and two of the ordinary size, besides the old and new "John" - a small engine and coach combined ... The locomotives consisted of five Consolidated engines, each having four pair of driving wheels ... three of the five were entirely new and cost ranged from $14,000 to $15,500 ... it is a calamitous fire, and especially at this time as the Pine Creek Railroad will be finished in a few weeks, and will require much motive power, as it will be operated by the Fall Brook Coal Company. (Corning Journal)

April 5, 1883 - We learn by a dispatch to the Elmira Advertiser that the building contained nine stalls which were occupied by locomotive engines, numbers four, fifteen and twenty-seven; also five of the large consolidated freight engines received within the past three weeks, and engine "John" … the wood- work of the engines was entirely consumed. … The loss, under present circumstances, when the company is nearly ready to open the southern extension of the S. G. & C. route, will fall heavily, and may cause some temporary delay in their plans for the ensuing year. (Watkins Express)

April 5, 1883 - The Fall Brook Company has issued an order which prohibits all passenger employees from smoking while on duty. (Corning Journal)

April 7, 1883 - The S. G. & C. passenger trains are now run with one brakeman, the air brakes making it unnecessary to have more. In case of an accident it would look as though the crew would be short handed. (Havana Journal)

April 8, 1883 - It is reported that under the new arrangement between the Fall Brook and Tioga railroad companies there will be more liberal shipment of Arnot coal by the way of Corning. (Wellsboro Agitator)

April 10, 1883 - Last Tuesday night the Fall Brook Co.'s round house at Corning was burned, with all its contents. There were ten locomotives in the house at the time, eight of which were of the largest class. President Magee's business engine and car, "Little John" was among the numbers. The eight engines were valued at $115,000, and the building at $10,000; on all this property there was an insurance of $45,000. The loss is very heavy at this time, as the company are driving a heavy traffic, and need all the power they can get. (Geneva Advertiser)

April 10, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is making preparations to build a Y at the junction of the Cowanesque branch and the C. C. & A. railway. (Wellsboro Agitator)

April 11, 1883 - This forenoon Rob't Walley, who superintends the trestle work of the Corning railroad at Geneva, ran a hand-car loaded with ties on the Dakin switch until a train had passed ... Walley forgot to turn the switch back and at about 11 o'clock a coal train, drawn by engine No.17 from the south came down the grade and ran on the branch. The grade is very heavy and the engineer, Mott White, of Geneva, had shut off the steam near the college boat house. Two empty "gondolas" so called were on the track and the train rushed into them with such force that they were driven out into the street, away from the track ... the collision knocked out the bumper at the end of the switch and the locomotive started for the lake. It crossed the main track nearly opposite the steamboat landing and drove itself into the ground, stopping within a few feet of the lake. The forward trucks were left under the cab. The tender forgot all about its wheels and went into the air. The six "dumps" following loaded with coal rushed into each other promiscuously and fell around the tracks in all kinds of shape. The end of Dakin's coal and phosphate building was knocked out and track and ties were torn up generally ... (Geneva Courier)

April 11, 1883 - Work is soon to be commenced, it is said, on the extension of the Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim railroad from Westfield to Harrison Valley, and trains are expected to be running to that place in ninety days. (Geneva Courier)

April 12, 1883 - Two of the damaged "Moguls" were yesterday removed from the ruins of the Fall Brook Round House and will be shipped to Schenectady today. The three other locomotives of the "Mogul" size will also be sent to Schenectady when got out, but the ordinary engines will be repaired here. (Corning Journal)

April 12, 1883 - A.D. Jaynes, photographer, has for sale stereoscopic views of the ruins at the Fall Brook Round House, showing the locomotives as they were the morning after the disastrous fire. (Corning Journal)

April 12, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company have purchased a new site for their workshops, round house, &c., on the lines of the S. G. & C. Railway, just as it enters Corning from the north, and will proceed to erect good and substantial new buildings thereon without needless delay. (Watkins Express)

April 12, 1883 - Monday morning, April 2d, the Fall Brook Coal Company commenced to haul coal from the Morris Run mines. Heretofore it was done by the Tioga Railroad on contract. The new arrangement has disarranged the railroad men considerably. Superintendent Gorton has engaged three crews from the Tioga to run the Morris Run trains. (Watkins Express)

April 17, 1883 - Misfortune never comes singly. The smoke from the burning roundhouse at Corning of the Fall Brook Coal Co. had scarcely blown away, than a bad smash-up for the same company occurred in Geneva ... it is a consolation to know that Gen'l Magee has "sugar" enough to stand it. (Geneva Advertiser)

April 18, 1883 - Another Mogul engine has been placed in the service of the Fall Brook Coal Company. It was manufactured in Schenectady.(Watkins Democrat)

April 18, 1883 - An accident happened at Geneva on the S. G. & C. Ry., yesterday at 11 a.m. Train No. 32 ran off an open switch near the steamboat dock. The train was running about five miles an hour. Seven cars and the engine were wrecked. No one killed. (Watkins Democrat)

April 19, 1883 - The destruction by fire of the Fall Brook Coal Company's round house at Corning, did not after all ruin the locomotives that were housed in it, as a little repairing will make them all right. (Watkins Express)

April 23, 1883 - Walker & Lathrop, of Corning, have finished their contract on the Jersey shore and Pine Creek Railroad. Less than five miles of the track are yet to be laid of the entire line from Stokesdale to Williamsport. (Watkins Democrat)

May 9, 1883 - The sidings at the east side of the track of the S. G. & C. R. R., at Himrods Junction have been extended north one mile and on the west side half a mile ... it is the intention of the company to extend the sidings all along the east side of the line, and next summer to connect them together in a double track the entire length of the road. (Watkins Democrat)

May 17, 1883 - A new freight train was put on the Fall Brook road last Monday, to run between this point (Corning) and Westfield, Pa. (Corning Journal)

May 22, 1883 - The two sections of the Pine Creek railway were connected last Wednesday at noon, near the Ross schoolhouse, thirty miles north of Williamsport and ten miles above Waterville. The engines coming each way met for the first time and saluted each other. Passenger trains will soon be running. (Wellsboro Agitator)

May 23, 1883 - On Monday the 21st, the first passenger train was run over Jersey Shore Pine Creek and Buffalo Railway. A special train made of Gen G.J. Magee's private car Glenfield and an observation car was started from Corning NY at 10 45 AM.
Among the passengers were the following gentlemen interested in or connected with the several interests of which this road is to be the feeder: G.J. Magee, C.J. Langdon, Austin Lathrop, A.H. Gordon, Daniel Beach, John Lang, Wm. Howell Jr, Henry Sherwood, Walter Sherwood, Jeff Harrison, John W. Bailey, Anton Hardt, John H. Jones, N.R. Turner, W.S. Nearing, C. Laney, G.D. Meigs, H.A. Horning, and T.H. Boyer.
The run from Corning to Stokesdale Junction was made over the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim road, passing Tioga where are 150 coke ovens and the foundation for as many more. Owing to the low price of coke, the ovens are not turning out any product at present, but it is claimed that in quality it meets with favor. There is a splendid washer and all the necessary paraphernalia for making this one of the most complete coke works in the country...
From Stokesdale the run is made over the new road, and for a line that has not yet been taken from the contractors it is in first rate condition. The scenery is the grandest to be met with anywhere in this country, for the line passes through apparently impenetrable gorges or canyons for miles upon miles. The line to Newberry eight miles from Williamsport is seventy-five miles in length. The last three miles is over the track of the Philadelphia and Reading Company which been laid for some time...
There will be regular trains running over this road with Schuykill coal on the fourth day of June. As may be known to our readers, the Jersey Shore Pine Creek and Buffalo forms the connecting link between the Anthracite fields owned and operated by the Philadelphia and Reading Company and the railway system of the New York Central Company east west and north, and is one of the most important short line roads which has been constructed in many years.
Considering that but thirteen months have elapsed since work was started, and the character of the country passed through the completion of the work in so short a time shows good work on the part of the contractors Mr. Austin and the Malone Brothers.
G.J. Magee is the vice president and active spirit in this enterprise. He is without doubt one of the shrewdest organizers and managers.
The new route is not quite so short as previously existing between the Southern Anthracite coal fields and Buffalo, but has easier grades and shorter curves. In no case does the grade exceed twenty six feet to the mile and but a short distance of this extent. We have no doubt that taking the Reading's Catawissa route, the Valley, the Susquehanna, the Pine Creek with its gorges and rapid stream, and the Geneva and Syracuse line with its Watkins Glen scenery, will in time be the favorite passenger line and be known as the picturesque line of America. (Coal & Coal Trade Journal - Vol. 22)

May 24, 1883 - A special train bearing the officers and contractors of the Pine Creek railway left the Fall Brook depot here on Monday morning for Williamsport, and returned here on Tuesday. It was the first through train over the road. (Corning Journal)

May 24, 1883 - About two o'clock on Monday morning as a Fall Brook coal train was crossing the Erie tracks to "the yard," near the ball, Erie No. 4 which was running under the new time schedule at a high rate of speed, crashed into the cars, smashing a number of "gondolas" and damaging its own engine considerably. (The Corning Journal)

May 29, 1883 - The Coal Trade Journal says that General George J. Magee represents the largest bituminous coal output in the United States. The Fall Brook and Morris Run companies, of both of which he is President, and which are virtually one concern, turn out a million tons of coal per annum. (Wellsboro Agitator)

May 29, 1883 - The Pine Creek road will be opened for business next Monday under the management of the Fall Brook Coal Company. Although the coal traffic will begin at once, no regular passenger trains will be run before the middle of June. The telegraph line along the whole route will be in full running order by the first of next week. We understand the new road is now in excellent condition. (Wellsboro Agitator)

June 6, 1883 - The S. G. & C. R. R. folks are having a new transfer coach built at Goundry & Palmers. It will soon be ready for the road. It shows marks of a finished and skilled letterer upon its sides, and of first class mechanics generally. (Watkins Democrat)

June 6, 1883 - The first regular daily train was put on the Jersey, Shore, Pine Creek & Buffalo Railroad on Monday last, June 4th - leaving Stokesdale at 6:15 am and Williamsport on the return run at 3:00 p.m. The new road is 78 miles in length, and has 32 stations, at nearly all of which, long sidings, of from 500 to 4,000 feet, or more are ready for use, which will make passenger travel safe and expeditious. The Road will probably open for all trains, and any amount of business on Monday, June 13th, 1883. (Watkins Democrat)

June 7, 1883 - On Monday, May 21st, the first passenger train was run over the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railway. A special train, made up of Gen. G. J. Magee's private car "Glendale," and an observation car, was started from Corning, N. Y. at 10:45 a.m. (Watkins Express)

June 7, 1883 - A mixed train, carrying passengers and freight, now runs daily from Wellsboro Junction over the Pine Creek road to Williamsport. Passenger trains will soon run regularly from Corning to Williamsport, (Corning Journal)

June 12, 1883 - It is reported that Vanderbilt's palace car, seventy-four feet long, is coming over the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning route next Monday, from Williamsport, bearing the officers, including the Vanderbilt family, of the Central-Hudson. They are going on a tour of inspection to their new coal mine purchase. The grades and curves have been examined with reference to the huge car. General Magee will accompany the party over his lines. (Geneva Advertiser)

June 13, 1883 - It is stated that all passenger trains over the S. G. & C., for the balance of the season will stop at Glen Pavilion twenty minutes for refreshments. (Watkins Democrat)

June 13, 1883 - There will be grand opening excursion over the S. G. & C. and Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railroads some time this month the exact time not having been determined upon. The route will be be from Geneva to Williamsport over the new road just completed by the Fall Brook Coal Company ... We are indebted to the suave and gentlemanly Commodore Foote, advertising agent for the company for the above items in advance of its general publication. (Watkins Democrat)

June 14, 1883 - Regular passenger trains will begin running on the Pine Creek road on Monday. (Corning Journal)



Locomotive #51 (0-4-0) of James Weed Lumber Company at Slate Run on the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo
Thanks to Thomas Taber and others

June 14, 1883 - The Fall Brook Company is arranging for a grand excursion on Tuesday, June 26th, to Williamsport, over the Pine Creek road, to which the leading railroad and coal men of New York and Pennsylvania will be invited. (Corning Journal)

June 14, 1883 - It is understood about town that ex-President Vanderbilt, of the New York Central, who has but recently returned from Europe, is soon to pass through here in a special car on a tour of the inspection of the new Pine Creek road ... At this point, he will doubtless be joined by a party of railway officials, who will accompany him in Gen. Magee's new "John," which is now being finished at the Magee shops in this village. It takes the place of the one, burned here two months ago, and is said to be fitted up with even more elegance. (Corning Journal)

June 14, 1883 - The Glen Bridge Pavilion at Watkins will, when the Pine Creek road is opened, be the dining station for through trains from Philadelphia to Lyons. (Corning Journal)

June 19, 1883 - An excursion from all points along the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railway over the new Pine Creek railway is announced for the last of June. The Watkins Express says this excursion will give the people a chance to view the wild and remarkable scenery and note the marvels of engineering skill by which one of the picturesque valleys in Western Pennsylvania is rendered accessible to the tourist and excursionist. (Wellsboro Agitator)

June 20, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company are building additional offices over their freight depot at Corning. They were made necessary by the extra clerks and officers required by the opening of the Pine Creek Road and the large increase of business in consequence thereof. (Watkins Democrat)

June 20, 1883 - Twelve trains per day are already running over the Pine Creek Railroad. (Watkins Democrat)

June 21, 1883 - A man was killed near Jersey Shore on the Pine Creek Railroad by the engine "John" yesterday. He was deaf, and did not hear the engine approach. (Corning Journal)

June 21, 1883 - One day this week there was a slide upon the Pine Creek Railway. H. H. Blair, Repairer of Telegraph Lines for the Fall Brook Company was beyond it but near no station. He climbed a pole, cut the wire, and by touching and separating the ends he sent a dispatch that called attention at every telegraph office on the line, and thus early secured attention and help ... the dispatch is as follows: "23., 23, 23 whoever hears this send to G.R.B. [Superintendent Brown] at Corning. I have no instrument ... Trains 1, 7 and 9 are laying at Uteeter, big slide will not get thru in under 2 or 3 hours. If any orders send an engine down from Blackwells as we will lay here until the slide is removed". (Corning Journal)

June 22, 1883 - Regular trains began running on Monday last from Lyons to Williamsport, Pa., via the Syr., Geneva & Corning - Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim and new Pine Creek division - all under the management of the Fall Brook Coal Co., Gen. Geo. J. Magee, President. Three passenger and four coal trains are sent over the route each way daily. (Geneva Gazette)

June 22, 1883 - The S. G. & C. railroad company has recently put the Westinghouse brake on all their passenger trains. (Geneva Gazette)

June 26, 1883 - We have learned that the directors' tour over the S. G. & C. road to Williamsport, is to take place on or about the 17th of July. On that former road, the fills between Dresden and Dundee, and some further south have all been completed, with foundations wide enough at the bottom to grade up for a double track whenever that is necessary. (Geneva Advertiser)

July 11, 1883 - The land slides on the line of the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek & Buffalo railway, which were variously reported to require from two to three weeks time, to clean out, were all removed and the road in first-class order in a little over a week after the slides occurred. This only goes to show the remarkable facility of the Fall Brook Coal Company to do a large amount of work in a very short time. (Watkins Democrat)

July 12, 1883 - The contributor to a Williamsport Sunday paper, from whom we elsewhere copy some remarks ... has this to say of the new depots along the Pine Creek Railway: "The Fall Brook coal company has an eye to high art, and the expansion of the decorative-mania idea is no where displayed to better advantage that in the general git-up-and-git of their bijou stations along the line. These stations built after the Swiss-cottage style of architecture, are tastefully done in colors which combine simplicity, neatness and elegance in a most pleasing degree. There is something very gothic, chic and tart about them. They look saucy, as if recognizing the fact that everything about a new railroad must adopt an air that is chipper, pert and independent." (Corning Journal)

July 25, 1883 - James H. Rutter was taken over the S. G. & C., from Lyons to Corning Saturday, in his private car. He was met at Lyons by Superintendent Gorton and Gen. Magee. Engine 21 took him over the road at the rate of forty miles an hour and caboose 17 followed in the rear. (Watkins Democrat)

1883 Reading RR Ticket
Ticket sold by the Philadelphia & Reading
Railroad from Williamsport, PA
to
Dundee, NY. over rails leased and
controlled by the Fall Brook Coal
Company. Issued 1883
Magee Family collection

July 25, 1883 - The new Fall Brook freight line between Buffalo and Philadelphia is in operation. The cars go by the Central from Buffalo to Lyons, from Lyons to Corning, by the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning road; from Corning to Stokesdale Junction by the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim road; from Stokesdale Junction to Williamsport, by the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo road; from Williamsport to Philadelphia by the Philadelphia and Reading, making a total of 460 miles. (orig. Rochester Democrat reprinted in the Geneva Courier)

July 26, 1883 - In ten consecutive days recently, one million tons of freight were carried over the S. G. & C. railroad from Corning to Geneva or Lyons. This a great increase over any time heretofore, and is due to the Pine Creek road, whence the most of it came. (Corning Journal)

July 27, 1883 - President Rutter of the New York Central, Gen. Magee of the Fall Brook line, and many railroad magnates, passed through Geneva Monday evening per special train on a tour of observation and inspection of the new line just opened to Philadelphia … The lines from Lyons to Williamsport, where connection is made with the Catawissa branch of the Reading, are owned by the Fall Brook coal company, which is rapidly developing into one of the most powerful corporations in the country, controlling as it does probably the most valuable coal plant in the United States, and 370 miles of railroad which is being constantly increased. The relations between the Fall Brook and the Vanderbilt interests are of the most intimate character, and the former supplies the latter with all their coal. (Geneva Gazette)

August 2, 1883 - As the Fall Brook coal train No. 50, consisting of one hundred and eighty cars, was running into the southern portion of Mansfield on Saturday, it broke in two and the forward portion was slackened up, and the hind position which was running down grade at full speed collided with it, and a bad smash-up was the result. None of the train men were injured. (Corning Journal)

August 8, 1883 - The New York Central Railway Company have placed on sale at all the principal points between Rochester and Syracuse, excursion tickets to Watkins Glen via the S. G. & C. Railway, the return trip including a ride to Geneva over Seneca Lake. (Watkins Democrat)

August 9, 1883 - There is now direct and speedy connection by the opening of the Pine Creek road between Philadelphia and Buffalo, and what is termed by the Watkins Express the "Fall Brook freight line" is now in operation between those two points. The distance is about 460 miles and five roads have to be passed over to accomplish it. (Corning Journal)

August 16, 1883 - The Fall Brook company received several new coaches from Schenectady, the other day, which are models of comfort and luxuriance. (Corning Journal)

August 16, 1883 - The excursion of the Fall Brook Shops Band to Watkins Glen, which was to have been held August 15th, has been postponed until the 21st, because of not being able to secure cars. It is expected that eight new coaches will be completed by that date, and will be the first used on that occasion. (Watkins Express)

August 23, 1883 - The Corning Democrat says the additions to the shops of the Fall Brook Coal Company will be extensive and important, a portion of the foundation being already finished.
The boiler and blacksmith shop will be 181 feet in length by forty-four in width. Sixty feet in length of which will be used exclusively for the boiler shop, fifteen feet for a bolt room and the remainder for the blacksmith shop. … The buildings will be built of brick with iron roofs and are an improvement necessary to the increased work of the Fall Brook Company. (Watkins Express)

August 23, 1883 - The Corning Democrat says the additions to the shops of the Fall Brook Coal Company will be extensive and important, a portion of the foundation being already finished.
The boiler and blacksmith shop will be 181 feet in length by forty-four in width. Sixty feet in length of which will be used exclusively for the boiler shop, fifteen feet for a bolt room and the remainder for the blacksmith shop. … The buildings will be built of brick with iron roofs and are an improvement necessary to the increased work of the Fall Brook Company. (Watkins Express)

August 23, 1883 - At the Fall Brook shops, Corning, a brick building 64x181 is being erected, as an extension of the machine shops. Also a brick building 44x181, for a blacksmith shop ... It is reported that the coming year the Company will build a large shop for the manufacture of passenger coaches, and freight cars, near the river, midway between the Fall Brook Depot and Magee shops. (Corning Journal)

August 29, 1883 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad company is now running over the Geneva & Lyons railroad the handsomest passenger coaches (except the palace cars) ever brought into Lyons. They are finished throughout in the interior with hard woods, and they have finely finished upholstered seats and large windows - luxuries that few ordinary passenger cars in these parts are blessed with. Over each window is a small stained-glass window. The company is doing all in its power to make its road a first-class route for passengers going south. (Lyons Republican reprinted in the Geneva Courier)

September 1, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has just added to its passenger accommodations three elegant new coaches. They are named respectively "Tiadaghton," "Rock Stream, and "Lawrenceville," and were manufactured at Schenectady. (Havana Journal)

September 1, 1883 - The Corning Democrat says the new Fall Brook passenger cars are models of beauty and convenience. Each car is equipped with conveniences for toilet. (Havana Journal)

September 11, 1883 - A mass of transfer freight comes to Geneva over the Corning Railroad, from Pennsylvania, since the opening of the through line to Williamsport. (Geneva Advertiser)

September 12, 1883 - W. H. Vanderbilt, and a party of Railroad men, arrived in Watkins, by special car, yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon as the guests of Gen. G. J. Magee. It is perhaps needless to add that they are ticketed for an exploration of Watkins Glen. (Watkins Democrat)

September 12, 1883 - Wm. H. Vanderbilt, the railroad king of America, with railroad officials and invited guests, of the New York Central Railroad, passed through Geneva yesterday afternoon on the way to Philadelphia, via S. G. & C. R. R. ... the freight and coal trains were all ordered to clear the main track as soon as possible ... when the whistle of Vanderbilt's train was heard the main track was entirely cleared and all the switches examined and put in proper shape ...She was drawn by engine No. 110, the fastest locomotive on the New York Central and managed by the famous engineer, Mr. Wood, who has made the quickest time ever made over the road . ... There were two coaches, the forward one was the cooking and dining room coach, in which were seen the cooks and waiters ... behind this was the "sitting room" coach, handsomely fitted up and finely decorated. In this car were Wm. H. Vanderbilt, J. H. Rutter, president of the New York Central Railroad, and officials of the road and their invited guests, all of whom seemed to be in excellent spirits. ... The General Supt. of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad, Mr. Gorton, ordered the "Pony John" engine backed up to the rear end of the Vanderbilt coach, the steps of which were lengthened out and joined to the front of the "Pony John," making a sort of bridge so that the party would not be obliged to step down on the ground. A number of the Vanderbilt party were transferred from the coach and seated into the "Pony Palace," ... the No. 110 engine was detached from the coaches and the Fall Brook coach, the Magee car, drawn by engine number 19, one of the finest passenger engines on the road, and used for special occasions, was backed up and connected to the Vanderbilt coaches. In this coach was General Magee, the president of the Corning road and other officials. This coach was handsomely equipped and elegantly decorated and furnished. ... After a short conversation among themselves the train, with its heavy weights, moved off, headed by the famous "Pony John" engine. (Geneva Courier)

September 18, 1883 - Messrs. W. H. Vanderbilt, W. K. Vanderbilt, Chauncey M. Depew, Hon. Simon Cameron, Frank B. Gowen, Gen. George J. Magee and other prominent railroad men went over the Pine Creek railway on a tour of inspection. The train consisted of an open observation car and two passenger coaches with locomotive in the rear, so that the vision of the railway magnates might not be obstructed. This train was preceded by an engine to insure the clearing of the track, and the locomotive "John" ran some distance in advance of the pilot engine. The party afterwards passed over the Reading road to Philadelphia. (Wellsboro Agitator)

September 18, 1883 - There are thirteen of those powerful locomotives, eight driving wheels, on the Corning railroad. They drag coal trains that are half a mile in length. We passed six of these long trains between Dundee and Geneva last Thursday. The S. G. & C. road will have to be double tracked. (Geneva Advertiser)

September 19, 1883 - The guests of Gen. Magee, comprised the following named celebrities, in addition to their host: W. H. Vanderbilt, W. K. Vanderbilt, Capt. J. H. Vanderbilt, Foster Dewey, Wm. Turnbull, Samuel Barton, J. H. Rutter, President of the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad and Chauncey M. Depew, second Vice President, all of New York; Franklin B. Gowan, President of the Philadelphia & Reading Ry,. H. McKay Twombly, of South Penn. Ry., Gen Simon Cameron and James Duffy, of Pennsylvania, E. Ellis of Schenectady Locomotive Works, A. Lathrop of Corning, and C. J. Langdon of Elmira. The Vanderbilts, President Rutter, Mr. Turnbull and Gen. Cameron, remained overnight at the residence of Gen. Magee, and the balance of the guests at the Glen Mountain House. On Wednesday morning the party, which came from New York over the N. Y. C. and S. G. & C. routes, left in the Vanderbilt and Magee private cars for Corning ... where an hour or two was passed in seeing the Fall Brook company's depot and offices, and passing through the Corning Glass works, after which they left over the C. C. & Antrim road for Stokesdale, thence to make a tour of inspection over the New Jersey Shore, Pine Creek & Buffalo road to Williamsport. This was the weightiest and most influential party of Railway magnates and officials that ever visited Watkins ... (Watkins Democrat)

September 19, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has lately added to its passenger accommodations three new coaches. They are named respectively "Tadgahtora[sic]," "Rock Stream, and "Lawrenceville," and were manufactured at Schenectady, with more to come at an early day. (Watkins Democrat)

September 20, 1883 - The Cowanesque Branch of the Fall Brook system of railways has been extended from Westfield to Harrison Valley, and Monday last, the first regular passenger train over the line brought an excursion via the S. G. & C. Railway to the Glen Bridge Pavilion and Watkins Glen. About three hundred people took the train at Harrison Valley, and by the time it had reached Westfield, five hundred were on board. The excursionists were accompanied by a brass band and arrived about noon. (Watkins Express)

September 27, 1883 - On Saturday morning Fall Brook passenger train No. 1 collided with the caboose of a coal train known as Extra No. 7, near Mulhollen ... the damage done was not serious, the reports at the time being exaggerated. The trouble was due to the air brakes, which refused to work (Corning Journal)

September 27, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has issued an order that no person shall be employed on its railroads who is under twenty-one years of age. (Corning Journal)

September 27, 1883 - There are thirteen locomotives with eight driving wheels, in use on the Fall Brook system of railways, about six of them being used to haul freight over the S. G.& C. Railway, and the remainder to take trains southward over the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railway. The usual train attached to one of these "Moguls," consists of one hundred cars, and there are few if any switches on the S. G. & C. Railway long enough to accommodate an entire train at once, a passenger train meeting one of the long freights having frequently to "saw by," as they term it in the West. (Watkins Express)

October 4, 1883 - The Watkins Express says that on the Fall Brook system of railways there are in use thirteen locomotives with eight driving wheels, about six being employed in hauling freight over the Geneva road and the remainder in taking trains over the Pine Creek road. The usual train attached to one of these "Moguls" (sic) is in the neighborhood of one hundred cars. (Corning Journal)

October 31, 1883 - It is stated that the pay-roll of the Fall Brook Coal Company, for engineers, firemen, shopmen, brakeman and conductors, on the lines operated by the company, was over $28,000 for September, 1883, while for the same month last year it was $15,000. (Watkins Democrat)

October 31, 1883 - It is rumored that the N. Y. Central is likely to build the Penn Yan and New York Railroad in which event Gen. G. J. Magee will doubtlessly have a hand in the enterprise, and when finished the road will probably be operated by the Fall Brook Coal Company, in connection with its other routes. (Watkins Democrat)

November 1, 1883 - The new offices of the Fall Brook Coal Co., over their freight house will be ready for occupancy about December 1st. ... The office will be occupied by the Surveyor and Engineer and extends across the width of the building. The office of the General Agent, H. A. Hornung, will occupy four rooms and the Car Accountant two or three rooms. A telegraph office is also located in the new part ... This will give more room for all of them and is what had become a necessity. (Corning Democrat)

Pine Creek Stock
Pine Creek Railway Stock Certificate 
spacer Pine Creek Railway Co.

November 8, 1883 - The name of the "Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo R. R. Company" was last week shortened to "Pine Creek Railway Company." (Corning Journal)

November 10, 1883 - The six new passenger coaches that now run between Lyons and Corning on the S. G. & C. railway were built under an order to put on them every feasible improvement, and cost $32, 000. (Havana Journal)

November 20, 1883 - The Corning Democrat reports that the Geneva & Corning railroad is to be double tracked next year. The increase of business demands this. (Geneva Advertiser)

November 22, 1883 - Two coal trains on the S. G. & C. Railroad came into collision on Friday, at Himrods. Two flagmen had been sent out to warn a coming train, and hence the train was left short-handed and could not be stopped before it struck the caboose of a train ahead. The caboose caught fire and was burned, and also the wood work of the engine and first coal car. No one was hurt. On the same morning on the Pine Creek railway at Waterville, a coal train ran into a caboose, wrecking that and four cars, and throwing off the engine. (Corning Journal)

November 22, 1883 - Last night about eleven o'clock as wildcat train No. 75 was returning to Corning, its engine number 35, struck a rock which was on the railway track ... the locomotive was thrown from the track and almost totally wrecked, so that it had to be conveyed to the shops in this village on a truck. (Corning Journal)

November 22, 1883 - … a serious wreck occurred on the S. G. & C. Railway at Himrods on Friday noon last. A coal train had stopped on the main track and sent out a flag to warn the one following. When the two started, the speed of the rear one which was on a downgrade became accelerated and before it could be checked its locomotive crashed into the caboose of the forward train. Nobody was hurt but a number of cars were wrecked and one coal car, the caboose and the woodwork of the locomotive were destroyed by fire which broke out almost immediately after the accident. (Watkins Express)

November 23, 1883 - There was a slight accident in the Corning yard last night. Engines Nos 42 and 34 collided, breaking the pilots and headlights, and throwing three cars off the track. The cause was either carelessness or misapprehension of signals. (Geneva Gazette)

November 23, 1883 -The Fall Brook Coal company’s depot at Corning is to be enlarged to make room for the offices of the Jersey Shore & Pine Creek Railway.(Geneva Advertiser)

November 27, 1883 - The Geneva & Corning Railroad is having a new and still larger class of locomotives built, that will burn the waste coal taken from the mines - regular dust burners [road numbers 29-43]. (Geneva Advertiser)

November 30, 1883 - The Fall Brook Railroad Co. has recently added three new and powerful engines to its rolling stock - all with eight drivers. (Geneve Gazette)

December 6, 1883 - The Fall Brook Railway Company has added three more new engines to their line of road, and placed an older one to the working force in the railroad yard at Lyons. (Watkins Express)

December 8, 1883 - We see it stated that Gen. Geo. Magee's investment in the S. G. & C. Railway, which many predicted would be a failure, with present prospects will make him several millions richer than his father was when he died. The Road has put several millions in his pocket already. (Bath Advocate)

December 8, 1883 - The fact is the development of the Fall Brook Co., has about all been done since the General became manager of them. He foresaw that unless another and more direct outlet from the mines was afforded, the mining of soft coal could never be pushed. Great difficulty stood in the way. The grades looked heavy, right of way was hard to obtain, but the plucky General did not waver an instant. There lies the road with a score of trains constantly moving in both directions, drawn by the most powerful engines that can be put together. Under his careful management and indomitable energy, the Magee estates have fully trebled in value. And occasionally we have seen that he has time to do a good thing outside of his immediate business. (Geneva Advertiser)

December 13, 1883 - Between nine and ten o'clock last evening, freight train 91 on the Fall Brook road, left Corning going south, with instructions to switch off at Mulhollen - four miles south - to let extra train 70 pass. Through some misapprehension of orders, train 91 did not stop at Mulhollen but dashed with full speed past the station into the northern bound train standing on the main track. The engineers and firemen escaped by jumping, but the engines, 23 and 32, the latter a Mogul, were wrecked. (Corning Journal)

December 13, 1883 - The Fall Brook Coal Company have three new eight-driver engines. (Corning Journal)

December 19, 1883 - The S. G. & C. Railway Co., for the year ending Sept. 30th, 1883, carried, of all classes of passengers, 110,863; tons of freight, 1,355,290; earned $596,860.64; and came out of the year with a surplus of $84,485.59; killed but one person, injured 15. (Watkins Democrat)

December 20, 1883 - By the collision of two freight trains on the Fall Brook Railways a few miles south of Corning on Wednesday evening last, two engines, one of which was a mogul, were thrown from the track and wrecked, and four cars were smashed, one containing flour and another miscellaneous freight having been thrown into the river. No one was hurt, and the road was cleared by ten o'clock the next day. (Watkins Express)

December 20, 1883 - The office of the Chief Engineer of the Fall Brook Railways is now located at Corning, and the Superintendents' and Car Accountant's offices have been transferred to their new quarters over the freight depot. (Watkins Express)

December 26, 1883 - The Lyons Republican says that three more powerful locomotives have recently been added to the Fall Brook company's railroad facilities. (Watkins Democrat)

December 27, 1883 - The development of the coal interests of the Fall Brook Company, has about all been done since the General became manager of them. He foresaw that unless another and more direct outlet from the mines was afforded, the mining of soft coal could never be pushed. Great difficulties stood in the way. The grades looked heavy, and right of way was hard to obtain but he did not waver an instant. There lies the road with scores of trains constantly moving in both directions, drawn by the most powerful engines that can be secured. Under his careful management and indomitable energy, the Magee estates have fully trebled in value, and occasionally we have seen that he has time to do a good thing outside of hi immediate business. (Watkins Express)

January 19, 1884 - H. A. Hornung, General Agent of the Fall Brook Coal Company's railroads has been promoted to General Traffic Manager, in charge of the Freight and Passenger traffics. (Havana Journal)

January 29, 1884 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is building a car especially for the use of the paymaster along the line of the roads. (Lewisboro Agitator)

February 14, 1884 - A number of landslides are reported on the Pine Creek railroad. This morning, a hundred Italian laborers were sent there from Corning, to clear the tracks. Four hundred men are working on that road to-day. (Corning Journal)

March 22, 1884 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad has declared a dividend of five per cent to its shareholders. (Havana Journal)

March 29, 1884 - A train, to be known as the "Tourist's Express," it is announced, will be put on the S. G. & C. Railroad as soon as the Glen season is open. The train will leave Philadelphia each morning arriving at Watkins about six in the evening; and from thence running through to Niagara Falls. Returning, the train will leave Watkins about noon. (Havana Express)

March 27, 1884 - Many locomotives on the Fall Brook roads are draped in black as a mark of respect to Engineer John V. Austin. He was the second engineer that has been killed on the lines of the Fall Brook Coal Company. He had been piloting engine #27, on March 16th, rounding a curve below Cedar Run, on the Pine Creek railroad, when he came upon track that was covered by a landslide.(Corning Journal)

April 1, 1884 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad last Wednesday had over one hundred cars of freight going through to Williamsport. We got this item direct from J. B. Stoll, yardmaster at Lyons. (Geneva Advertiser)

April 5, 1884 - The annual excursion and basket picnic of the employees of the Fall Brook shops will be held at Watkins Glen, June 25th. The programme includes dancing at the pavilion and a steamboat ride on the lake. (Corning Journal)

May 15, 1884 - Coal traffic on the Fall Brook roads will be greatly increased by the opening of the mines in Clearfield County, Pa. The mines have been in process of development since their purchase by the Vanderbilt interest a year or more ago and the first shipment of coal passed through here last week. The coal is said to be of superior quality. (Corning Journal)

May 20, 1884 - Two freight cars on the Corning road, one loaded with tobacco, ran off the switch Saturday, and brought up in Marsh Creek. The switchman was not fly enough. (Geneva Advertiser)

May 22, 1884 - Sunday night at 8:50, train 61 on the Fall Brook road, left Corning for Blossburg. At Clancy switch, a mile and a half west of the village, the train broke in two. The coupling was repaired and the flagman called in. As the train started, it broke a second time. Before the flagman could get out again, train 91, leaving Corning, and hour later, came round the curve and ran into the rear end of the broken train ... the engine, number 48, ran down an embankment 10 feet high, the tender remaining on the track ... the damaged engine was a new one, this being its second trip over the road. No one was injured. Train 91 was the fast freight, bound for Williamsport, William Tullett, conductor. (Corning Journal)

May 24, 1884 - The S. G. & C. R. W. seems to be doing a rushing business this spring. Three or four trains can be seen many times running with scarcely a mile intervening between the leading and the last one. Trains can be heard at most any time during the day or night. (Havana Journal)

May 29, 1884 - The Fall Brook Coal Company will sell tickets to Chicago, at reduced rates, for those who wish to attend either the Republican or Democratic National Conventions, The fare for the round trip from Corning is $17.25. Particulars may be obtained by applying at the Fall Brook ticket office. (Corning Journal)

June 10, 1884 - The new side track all along the shore of the lake will be a great convenience to the Corning railroad; but if any trains are permitted to stand for any length of time upon such side tracks it will prove a nuisance to property owners of Main street, cutting them off from water privileges. We do not believe such is the intent of the company. (Geneva Advertiser)

June 17, 1884 - The Fall Brook company commenced last Saturday to shift the track along the shore of the lake, from the trestle to glass factory bay. This is the beginning of a double track route. By filling in the trestles, much good land will be made inside the track. It is undoubtedly the best paying north-and-south railroad in the state; it is certainly the busiest. (Geneva Advertiser)

June 19, 1884 - On the first of July about twenty miles of the railroad from Jersey Shore to the Clearfield mines will be opened. The remainder of the line will be finished this season, the whole distance being about 100 miles. The road is to be operated by the Fall Brook Coal Company. (Corning Journal)

June 26, 1884 - The excursion of the Fall Brook employees to Watkins, yesterday, was composed of seven cars of people. The hard rain marred the effect of the day, but the excursionists managed to have as good a time as possible, notwithstanding. (Corning Journal)

June 30, 1884 - The Corning railroad is to be double tracked, or a side track built, extending from the trestle to glass factory bay. Probably next season the entire line will be double tracked. (Geneva Advertiser)

July 3, 1884 - The railroad on the old tow path, from Penn Yan to Dresden, will terminate at the Dock, at Crooked Lake, and at the S. G. & C depot at Dresden.

July 3, 1884 - About fifty Fall Brook shops' workmen were given notice of a "lay-off" on Saturday, on account of dullness of work. They will possibly be idle for some weeks.(Corning Journal)

August 5, 1884 - Gen. Magee's pony engine was over the Corning Road yesterday. (Geneva Advertiser)

August 13, 1884 - Temperate habits are a necessity within the employees of the Fall Brook Coal Company. Since January 1, 1884, as many as one hundred workmen have been discharged, because of intoxication. This strict rule is beneficial to the employees, company and public in equal measure. (Yates County Chronicle)

August 21, 1884 - The Fall Brook Coal Co. will sell round trip tickets to New York, on Aug. 29 and 30th for $9.50; to return on or before Sept. 3, 1884. (Corning Journal)

August 26, 1884 - The village authorities are to apply to the Supreme Court, asking that a flagman be stationed at the crossing on Lake street, and probably one on Castle street, where those streets are crossed by the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad. As it now stands, the village is liable for any injuries that may occur to any person when crossing the tracks at those places, and they propose to shift the responsibility upon the railroad company, which is entirely proper. People who walk the trestle do so at their own risk; they have no business there, for it is private property. (Geneva Advertiser)

August 26, 1884 - There has been some talk between the officers of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad and the owners of real estate bordering on the lake, looking toward the filling in of all the trestles. The work will require thousands of cars of dirt and gravel - yes, thousands of train loads. The company as we understand will fill in the trestle at their own expense, enough so as to form a solid road bed, and for a slight consideration, enough to pay for handling, will furnish material for filling in all the balance, clear up to the high water mark. This would make a permanent improvement, and will probably commence in December. (Geneva Advertiser)

September 2, 1884 - The Fall Brook Co. has placed a flagman at the crossing of Lake street, the most dangerous place in Geneva ... Lake street was a bad spot and we are glad the Company has taken in hand the protection of people crossing the track at that place. (Geneva Advertiser)

September 26, 1884 - Charles Barry tried his patent railway signal in the Fall Brook yard last week. The signal consists of a dial, the hand of which registers the time of passing of a train thus giving notice to the engineer of the next train. The signal worked with marked success and there seems to be no good reason why it should not come into general use. (Corning Journal)


S. G. & C. Railroad Schedule
November 27, 1884

October 9, 1884 - The business of the S. G. & C. railroad is growing to such an extent that a double track is believed to be a question only of a comparatively short time. (Corning Journal)

November 13, 1884 - The contract for the Penn Yan and Dresden railway was signed in New York last week and work has begun. The road is expected to be finished by April. The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad Company are the contractors and the line will be a part of the N. Y. Central System. (Corning Journal)

November 14, 1884 - The Fall Brook Coal company is laying an additional track for the distance of a quarter of a mile by the side of the lake, just opposite Hobart College. The track is made necessary by the large coal traffic of the road, so that there may be a switch south and near Geneva. (Geneva Gazette)

November 21, 1884 - There were twenty-eight coal and freight trains over the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning and the Lehigh Valley railroads last Sunday. These railroads have endeavored to dispense with the running of trains on Sunday, yet the accumulation of business of late has made such work necessary. (Geneva Gazette)

November 25, 1884 - The Fall Brook Coal company has purchased two new locomotives. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 4, 1884 - The switch engine Schuyler was switching cars on the Fall Brook road near Clancey's switch, a mile and a half west of the Corning depot. Freight train No. 90 from Williamsport, which was a number of hours late, came around the curve and ran into the rear of the Schuyler, forcing it upon a box car in front loaded with barrelled flour ... the switch engine was almost totally wrecked and several coal dumps were smashed into splinters ... No lives were lost; the trainmen escaped by jumping. (Corning Journal)

December 12, 1884 - … four additional locomotives have been leased from the Central railroad and pressed into service. Furthermore, the company placed their order with the Schenectady Locomotive works for fine, new "Jumbo" engines, those mammoth eight drivers , capable of hauling almost a mountain, and some of them will be ready for delivery within the next ten days. (Geneva Gazette)

December 16, 1884 - It is estimated that over 5,000 tons of coal are daily carried over the Fall Brook Railways. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 23, 1884 - Owing to the sudden and severe cold the work on this line of railroad (Penn Yan and Dresden) has been suspended for the season. This is a road under construction, connecting Dresden, on Seneca Lake, with Penn Yan, a distance of seven miles, and running along the old canal tow path ... the undertaking presents many physical difficulties owing to the crooks and heavy grades to overcome and the limited space to do it, requiring considerable engineering skill; but under the efficient management of R. H. Canfield of Rochester, with a competent staff, the work has progressed favorably so far, and will be pushed to completion as early in the spring as the weather will permit. (Wellsville Daily Reporter)

January 1, 1885 - Commencing the new year, the Fall Brook Coal company will not collect or in any way become responsible to persons for board bills, due bills, time orders, assignments of pay, or claims of any description against their employees. This order puts an emphatic stop to the general practice of leaving all bills against employees with the Company for settlement, which practice would probably in time have necessitated a new branch of business in the Fall Brook depot. (Corning Journal)

January 1, 1885 - The work on the railroad from Dresden to Penn Yan, has been suspended for the winter, except at Dresden where a large force of Italians is employed. They board themselves, their food being mainly bread and canned meats. (Corning Journal)

January 1, 1885 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee's private car Glenfeld, has been in the Fall Brook Co's shops in this village, for some time past, receiving a thorough overhauling ... The Glenfeld has been supplied with a new kitchen, with every conceivable utensil, water tanks and all conveniences. The interior of the car has been furnished with three folding beds, new closets, and a private room for Gen. Magee. A toilet room has been provided, tables, ice-boxes, drawers for table and bed linens, cutlery and dishes. Under the car has been built a coal box and an ice box, which will hold a large supply for heat and cold. The exterior of the car has been newly painted, and the scenes on the center are taken from the Glen than runs through the grounds of Gen. Magee at Watkins. (Watkins Express)

January 2, 1885 - The Fall Brook Railroad company is still shipping immense quantities of hard and soft coal to Lyons to be transferred to points East and West. This week six new "Jumbo" locomotives have been put on the road, and unusually long and heavy coal trains are hauled over the road with them … On account of the heavy engines on the road all the lighter grade of steel rails are being taken up and replaced with the heaviest and best steels manufactured. The officers of the company are all energetic and superior railroad men, and under their efficient management the road has attained a degree of success never dreamed of by competing lines. (Geneva Gazette)

January 13, 1885 - The Fall Brook Railway Company received and placed upon its roads recently six new "Jumbo" locomotives, which haul unusually long trains of coal cars over the line to Lyons. They are among the most powerful locomotives made, each one being furnished with eight great drive wheels. (Wellsboro Agitator)


January 14, 1885 - The Fall Brook Company commenced hauling their coal from the Fall Brook and Morris Run mines on the 1st day of January. Says the Bloss Register: "We had hoped the Tioga company might contract to haul this coal as it makes a great difference in the work at those places, and also gives our railroad men more work to do, and better pay." (Watkins Democrat)

January 22, 1885 - Gen. George J. Magee was in town yesterday, the first time in some weeks, his health being improved. He leaves in a few days, in his elegant private coach, the Glenfeld, for Montreal, to see the Ice Palace. Seven or eight thousand dollars have been recently expended on the interior of the coach. (Corning Journal)

February 5, 1885 - The Fall Brook R.R. had a serious wreck opposite the Gang Mills. (Corning Journal)

February 5, 1885 - Last year the Morris Run mines produced over 400,000 tons of coal - the largest quantity ever taken from the mines at that place. From the Fall Brook mines something over 100,000 tones were shipped to market. (Watkins Express)

February 13, 1885 - Engine No. 12 drawing train No. 2 on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad due here at 9:40 a.m., broke down yesterday near Dresden causing a delay of three hours and a half. (Geneva Gazette)

February 19, 1885 - There have been rumors for a week past of a strike among the railroad men of the Fall Brook Coal Company, consequent upon a reported reduction of wages; but so far there has been no strike and it is much to be trusted that none will occur. (Corning Journal)

February 26, 1885 - The new iron bridge over the Crooked Lake Outlet, at Dresden, which the S. G. & C. Railroad is building, is an expensive structure, because of its length and height above the bed of the outlet, it being about fifty feet high. (Corning Journal)

February 27, 1885 - Harry Kriger, one of the most popular conductors on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad is organizing a party to go to New Orleans and visit the Exposition. The party will go in a Worcester palace car which contains 18 berths, a dinning, bath room, parlor, smoking room and in fact all the conveniences to be found in a first-class hotel. The meals will of course be cooked and served on the car. The fare for the round trip including everything is $125. The party will be gone fifteen days. (Geneva Gazette)

spacer Massive Wreck On C. C. & A. Makes National News

February 28, 1885 - A coal train on the Fall Brook Railroad (CC&A) ran into the rear of a freight train this afternoon near Tioga, PA. One car loaded with 10 tons of powder took fire and a large explosion resulted. The car which contained the powder was next to the caboose. The explosion was heard at Elmira, 25 miles distant. The wires are all down, and details cannot be learned at present. A wrecking car was sent from Corning. The Fall Brook Road is owned by Gen. George J. Magee. (NYT)

March 3, 1885 - Two extras of freight train No. 74 ... ten tons of giant powder put up in 410 large kegs ... the locomotive went tearing into the rear of the caboose, demolishing it entirely, and in an instant there was a terrific explosion of powder, which shook the earth for miles around. ... The locomotive was shattered to fragments and part of the boiler was blown forty rods distant, across the river into a field. A large piece of iron weighing 100 pounds fell against the steps of Mr. Kimball's store, three quarters of a mile from the scene ... between 20 and 30 cars were wrecked, 17 of them being very badly shattered, or blown to pieces entirely ... The Fall Brook Coal Company has suffered considerably of late from accidents to its freight trains but this is the most disastrous one of all. (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 3, 1885 - The biggest item in the country, on Saturday, was the wreck at six p.m. that day on the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim railroad, two miles this side of Tioga and about twenty miles from Corning ... the report was distinctly felt here and in Elmira; and in Troy, Pa. it was supposed to be an earthquake. (Corning Journal)

March 5, 1885 - The force of the explosion was greatly augmented by the bursting of the boiler. The fragments of the locomotive were thrown great distances. A section of the boiler was found about a mile from the scene of the disaster. (Watkins Express)

March 7, 1885 - The train men when they saw that a collision was inevitable sprang from the train, flattened themselves in the ditch at the side of the track and breathlessly awaited the explosion. The engine crashed through the caboose and into the forward car. The explosion came with a crash that was heard from 25 miles and a force that blew twenty cars to splinters. The cars were loaded with coal ready-made clothing, and general merchandise ... it is the most costly accident ever experienced on the road, the loss being estimated at $25,000. (Havana Journal)

March 12, 1885 - As soon as the frost is out of the ground the work of constructing the Penn Yan and New York Railway will be vigorously pursued. (Watkins Express)

March 25, 1885 - The iron bridge now being erected at Dresden, for the S. G. & C. railroad will cost $60,000. (Watkins Democrat)

March 26, 1885 - The coal traffic on the Fall Brook roads continues to increase. Long trains of coal pass through here every day, for the New York Central road which is reached at Lyons. The Fall Brook equipment is being tested to its utmost capacity, and the demand for two tracks is more pressing than ever. (Corning Journal)

March 26, 1885 - The iron bridge on the S. G. & C. Railway, over Keuka Lake outlet at Dresden is rapidly approaching completion. Its dimensions given by an exchange are as follows: Length 752 feet, height forty six feet. It has eleven spans forty eight feet long; two spans thirty feet; one span sixty four feet, and one span one hundred feet. The trestle legs are thirty-nine feet in length. (Watkins Express)

March 26, 1885 - It is now stated that the Fall Brook officials are convinced that the recent explosion on the C. C. & A. division of the Fall Brook Railways near Tioga, was caused by dynamite shipped under false pretenses as gunpowder. The tremendous shock of the explosion, the total annihilation of so many cars, and the fact that no ignition of the woodwork was produced have created this opinion, and it seems a very reasonable one. (Watkins Express)

March 31, 1885 - The road is so crowded with business that several trains now run on one train's time, and the single track from Corning to Lyons delays the returning freights greatly. We learn that the Company has been compelled to lease engines from other roads of late in order to move its trains. (Wellsboro Agitator)

April 3, 1885 - Train No. 71 on the S. G. & C. railroad seems to be in bad luck. Last Saturday evening eight cars of that train were thrown from the track near Bennett's Station on account of the falling of a brake beam; and last night, four cars and the caboose were thrown from the track by a broken rail. (Geneva Gazette)

April 9, 1885 - The Fall Brook engine house at Wellsboro was burned one evening last week. The three engines therein were saved. Loss from $2000 to $3000. (Corning Journal)

April 9, 1885 - The Pine Creek division attracts a large amount of freight for the West and South. It is no unusual thing to see freight cars billed for San Francisco, and much machinery passes over the road for the South. The road is so crowded with business that several trains now run on one train's time, and the single track from Corning to Lyons delays the returning freights greatly. We learn that the Company has been compelled to lease engines from other roads of late in order to move its trains. (Wellsboro Agitator reprinted in the Watkins Express)

April 10, 1885 - Work on the new railroad between Dresden and Penn Yan will be resumed next week and pushed to completion as rapidly as possible, and it is expected that the road will be ready for operation by July 1st. (Geneva Gazette)

April 10, 1885 - It is expected that the ties and rails will be placed in position on the new iron bridge at Dresden within the week, and that the track at either end will be graded and completed, so that trains can be run upon it in a very short time. … Experts say the bridge is one of the best ever constructed, and it reflects great credit upon the officers of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad which caused its construction and upon the artisans who performed the work. (Geneva Gazette)

April 28, 1885 - If the poor fund of Geneva could have in gold the amount of damages sustained by the Fall Brook Coal Co by railroad accidents during the past two years, it would make every poor man comparatively rich. But it only shows the vast resources of the Magee Company, its back-bone, so to speak. No time is wasted in groveling; the damage is speedily repaired and transportation goes right along, until another accident delays for a few hours. If ever a line needed a double track, or even four tracks, the Fall Brook lines need them. They are now running 20 to 30 trains a day each way, principally coal trains, all very long ones drawn by those enormous Jumbo locomotives. (Geneva Advertiser)

April 30, 1885 - A peculiar accident happened on the S. G. & C. Railway near Geneva on Wednesday of last week, a collision piling up six cars and a caboose, and throwing a locomotive from the track into the lake. (Watkins Express)

May 6, 1885 - It is expected that the ties and rails on the new iron bridge of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad over Lake Keuka outlet at Dresden will be placed in position this week, and that the approaches at either end will be completed for the passage of trains in a very short time. In fact the ties and rails are already laid, and workmen are busily engaged in ballasting. (Watkins Democrat)

May 7, 1885 - The Fall Brook engine which recently took a header for Seneca Lake at Glass Factory bay near Geneva, was the "Morris Run,' mogul locomotive, No. 29. It was damaged to the extent of about $500, and is now in the shops at Corning for repairs. (Watkins Express)

May 21, 1885 - Late on Tuesday afternoon a freight train on the S. G. & C. railway coming north, broke in two on a grade near Ferenbaugh's station, a few miles from Corning. The forward half of the train had stopped, when it was crashed into by the rear section, which came down the grade with such momentum that it could not be stopped. (Corning Journal)

May 27, 1885 - The S. G. & C. takes great pains to accommodate the public with the running of its trains, both as to freight and passengers, and is deserving of a round patronage at the hands of the Watkins public. A few years ago the S. G. & C. was regarded as a test route to a certain degree; today its time schedules are more extensive than any railroad that passes within fifty miles of Watkins. And this route was established and projected by one of the youngest men known to the railroad world, at that day. (Watkins Democrat)

May 27, 1885 - The track of the Penn Yan and New York railroad at that place is now nearly all laid, and the indications of early business operations are quite conspicuous. The people of Penn Yan are greatly pleased with the pavilion and the order of things generally throughout the entire premises, says a visitor. (Watkins Democrat)

May 28, 1885 - S. G. & C. Railway trains have been running over the new iron bridge that spans Lake Keuka outlet at Dresden, since Sunday of last week. (Watkins Express)

May 29, 1885 - Engine No. 29, "Morris Run," which recently took a header into Seneca Lake a short distance south of Geneva, has been repaired and has taken its accustomed place hauling trains from Corning to Lyons and return. (Geneva Gazette)


Working on "Fall Brook Railway" (actually P&NY)
near Main St. Bridge, Penn Yan, NY - 1887

from a postcard of the period (printed in Germany!)

June 11, 1885 - The "first train" over the Penn Yan and New York road, arrived in Penn Yan last Wednesday afternoon. Gen. Magee's private car, "John," containing himself, and John Lang, A.H. Gorton, H.A. Horning, Wm. Hamlin, Anton Hardt, Daniel Beach and several other gentlemen, carried the party to Penn Yan. (Corning Journal)

June 11, 1885 - Fall Brook fast freight 90, and coal train 75, drawn by engines 50 and 35 respectively, collided at Lindley yesterday morning at 11:12. (Corning Journal)

June 18, 1885 - Frank S. Winters ... will remove to Penn Yan, as he is to be conductor on the new railroad from Penn Yan to Dresden. This road runs upon the tow path of the abandoned canal, and is nearly seven miles in length. It was built by a company, but it is leased to the Fall Brook Coal Company, and will be an important feeder of the S. G. & C. Railroad. Regular trains will begin to run over the road on July 1st. (Corning Journal)

June 18, 1885 - General Geo. J. Magee was one of the pallbearers at the funeral of James H. Rutter, the deceased President of the New York Central Railroad Company, on Tuesday last. The other bearers were Cornelius Vanderbilt, Chauncey M. Depew, C. C. Clark, H. J. Haynes, of the New York Central, Chas. J. Langdon of Elmira, Austin Lathrop of Corning, George Dow of Rochester, Frederick Lovejoy and Thomas Rutter. (Watkins Express)

June 19, 1885 - Gen. Magee's pony engine passed through Geneva last evening having on board General Magee and a party of friends who were returning from New York where they had been in attendance at the funeral of President Rutter of the New York Central Railroad. (Geneva Gazette)

July 2, 1885 - Through the invitation of Gen. Magee, a party of twenty-one, fourteen of whom were from this village, made an excursion last week over the Pine Creek and Beech Creek roads. A parlor car and dining car were placed at their service and accompanied by the engine-car "John," they left Watkins early Tuesday morning, returning via Williamsport and arriving Wednesday evening. (Watkins Express)

July 3, 1885 - It is said that there are indications of a lively war both in freight and passenger business between the Northern Central and the Fall Brook Coal company's system of roads. … The Fall Brook company, which is really controlled by the Vanderbilts, has been extending its lines into Pennsylvania, touching a number of places of which the Northern Central has heretofore had the sole benefit. One of the Fall Brook extensions which terminates at Williamsport, will be opened for business this week, and it is reported that the Northern Central is preparing to reduce its passenger rate to one cent a mile to force the newcomer to terms. (Geneva Gazette)

July 13, 1885 - Those papers which have reported that the Fall Brook line of railroads are owned and controlled by the Vanderbilts, are a little off. Gen. Magee was President when we first heard of the line, and hasn't sold a share that we have heard of. We reckon he is in to stay. (Geneva Advertiser)

July 17, 1885 - General George J. Magee, President of the road, informs us that there has been no change in the management or the ownership of this railroad since its incorporation over twenty years ago, which effectively disposes of the assertion the the Rochester Democrat that the Fall Brook Railroad "is really controlled by the Vanderbilts." … Gen. Magee further informs us that except through the papers he has heard nothing as to an approaching fight between the Northern Central and his company in the freight and passenger business, and he can think of no reason why the two roads should engage in a war of rates which could only result disastrously to themselves with no particular benefit to the public. The roads of the Fall Brook Coal Company are all finely equipped and officered by sagacious and experienced men, with whom it is a pleasure to meet and do business. (Geneva Gazette)

July 30, 1885 - The Penn Yan and New York Railway will be open for passenger traffic on Monday next, August 3d ... The line promises to be an important division of the Fall Brook system of railways. (Watkins Express)

July 31, 1885 - Commodore Foote of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad was in town Wednesday and while here he informed us that the new road between Dresden and Penn Yan would be opened for business on Monday next. A new timetable on the former railroad will go into effect that day, so arranged as to make direct connections with trains on the new road and with boats on Lake Keuka. (Geneva Gazette)

spacer August 3, 1885 - Penn Yan and New York Railroad Opens for Traffic

August 6, 1885 - The Fall Book Coal Co. are selling tickets Corning to New York and return for $7.00 round trip for General U.S. Grant's funeral. (Corning Journal)

August 12, 1885 - The Penn Yan branch of the S. G. & C. railroad is now in full operation, the regular running of trains having commenced last Monday. Three trains run each way every day in connection with the main line. Penn Yaners can now easily reach Dundee to do their trading, as goods are sold enough, cheaper here to make it a paying trip. (Yates County Chronicle)

August 13, 1885 - On the first day of the opening of the new Penn Yan & Dresden railroad, August 3rd, the sale of tickets reached 200 each way. (Corning Journal)

August 20, 1885 - The new railroad between Dresden and Penn Yan since its completion has been doing a good business ... Its length from Dresden to the steamboat landing at Penn Yan is but six and four tenths of a mile ... the entire descent from lake to lake is 271 feet ... In the six miles of travel there are numerous abrupt changes of direction, and each comparatively straight stretch of track is filled with minor curves. (Watkins Express)

Schedule 
SG&C 1885
S. G. & C. Railroad  Schedule
August 17, 1885

September 4, 1885 - The new railroad from Dresden to Penn Yan (which is a branch of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad) has proved to be an immense convenience to the traveling public and to freight shippers. The road follows the valley through which the Keuka Lake outlet runs, and along the banks of which are several large manufactories ... the passenger traffic also over this road is much larger than anticipated and is paying well. From Geneva alone 350 tickets have been sold to Penn Yan and 25 to Hammondsport and return in the four or five weeks that the trains have been running, and as direct connections are made at Dresden with every passenger train on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway both ways, the travel will surely and steadily increase. The employees are exceptionally gentlemanly in every respect ... (Geneva Gazette)

September 8, 1885 - Since the Fall Brook Railroad lines, particularly the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning, became a through line of travel to Williamsport and Philadelphia, most elegant day coaches have been put on all passenger trains, and it is a real pleasure to ride in them. The connections are close and sure every time. General Magee never would be connected with anything that was second class. (Geneva Advertiser)

September 17, 1885 - There are a few facts about the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad passenger service that have received flattering comments of travelers. The cars are elegant in finish and of the latest modern style in their various appointments. The conductors are without exception gentlemen - courteous and obliging, and always ready to do anything and everything possible for the comfort of the passengers. It is a pleasure to ride on this road ... for these reasons this route is growing in popular favor and bids fair to outrival the other southward roads in the near future. (Geneva Gazette)

September 17, 1885 - The shops and eastern yards of the Fall Brook Coal company are to be lighted with gas. (Corning Journal)

September 24, 1885 - During the first thirty days of traffic the Dresden and New York Railroad carried 7,000 passengers between Penn Yan and Dresden, exclusive of excursionists who bought tickets over the road at other points. (Watkins Express)

October 1, 1885 - The Fall Brook Railroad officials state that the quantity of hard and soft coal which will be taken northward next season, and reshipped from Lyons ... will be much larger than last year when the amount was the largest ever known on the Fall Brook roads. The Fall Brook coal is now shipped from Lyons to points as far west as Dakota, Wyoming and Arizona. (Corning Journal)

October 8, 1885 - A pamphlet of sixteen pages is to be issued monthly, commencing November 1st, which will contain the timetable of the Railways owned or operated by the Fall Brook Coal Company, and also that of the connecting railroads, the N.Y. Central on the north, and the Beech Creek and Reading roads on the south. (Corning Journal)

October 16, 1885 - On Monday we enjoyed the pleasure of a ride to Lyons and return in Gen. Geo. J. Magee's combined pony engine and coach the "John" in company with Gen. Magee and Mr. Gorton, President and Superintendent respectively of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad, and of the Fall Brook Coal Company. The car is so arranged that a view is obtained of the road in front as well as of the country through which it passes, and we were most favorably impressed with the fine condition of the Geneva and Lyons branch. For a distance of about two feet on either side of the track and in the space between the rails not a spear of grass or a single weed is allowed to grow; the fences are all in good condition, while the cattle-guards and the fences at crossings are painted white. In addition to these features, we noticed that the posts and station poles were not only artistically painted, but around their base cobble stones had been laid, presenting a very unique appearance. It is said that this branch is one of the best graded and best kept pieces of road in the country, and it is under the supervision of road master Bennett, who has charge also of the Auburn branch of the New York Central, and of the direct road between Rochester and Syracuse. (Geneva Gazette).

October 21, 1885 - A meeting of the stockholders of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway Company will be held at Watkins Glen Station ... for the purpose of taking into consideration and voting upon the question of adopting an agreement for the consolidation of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway Company with the Penn Yan and New York Railway Company. (Watkins Democrat)

October 29, 1885 - Workers of the Fall Brook Coal Company undertook to take up the rails to the switch leading to the Glass Works. Word was sent to C.F. Houghton who forbade further work ... for a couple of years, the Glass Works has been supplied with Clearfield coal .. an official of the Fall Brook company says that the rails are their property, and the object of taking them up was to place them elsewhere as the switch was unused. (Corning Journal)

October 29, 1885 - The road-bed of the Fall Brook Railways, notwithstanding the wear and tear of the immense freight traffic, is undoubtedly in the best condition of any line of its age in the Union. This is due to the untiring efforts of its managers, who are satisfied with no work that is not substantial and permanent as possible. The remaining wooden bridges are now being replaced by stone and iron ones. (Watkins Express)


  Penn Yan Freight Shed

November 5, 1885 - Mile posts are being placed along the route of the Fall Brook Coal Company's Railways. Watkins Glen station is twenty-one and three-quarters miles from Corning, twenty-nine from Penn Yan, and thirty-three from Geneva. (Watkins Express)

November 12, 1885 - At a meeting of the stockholders of the Penn Yan and New York Railway Company held recently in Penn Yan, all of the right, title and interest in the corporation was transferred to the S. G. & C. Railway Co. Since the completion of the branch, its traffic, both freight and passenger, has met all expectations, and promise to annually increase. (Watkins Express)

November 17, 1885 - We are in receipt of the first number of the Fall Brook Company's new pocket time table - a very handsome little pamphlet containing all the information the traveler can desire concerning the running of all the Fall Brook lines and connecting railways. The publication is to appear hereafter each month, and it will furnish a very convenient and intelligible railway guide for people living in the region traversed by the Fall Brook Company's roads. We understand that copies of it may be obtained at any of the company's depots, the intention being to give it a very extensive gratuitous circulation for the benefit of the traveling public. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 24, 1885 - A petition is now being circulated among the owners of property along the lake front, wherein it is agreed that the Fall Brook Railroad Company will furnish, and deliver all the earth and material necessary to fill up the space within the railroad trestle, if the owners of the property will undertake to do the grading ... by this effort any one can see what a valuable piece of property will be reclaimed, now absolutely worthless, as most of it lies under stagnant water. (Geneva Advertiser)

November 26, 1885 - Charles H. Gardner of Dresden was recently appointed Postal Clerk on the S.G.& C. Railroad, is place of Mr. Coddington, of Geneva, who was removed for being a Republican. (Corning Journal)

December 2, 1885 - The Fall Brook Coal Co., are 300,000 tons behind their orders and the mines, at Antrim and Morris Run, are being worked to their full capacity. A good and healthy condition of things. (Watkins Democrat)

December 2, 1885 - The S. G. & C. Railway management, ever on the alert for progress and business, are building a substantial switch at Penn Yan, to connect their branch R. R. with the extensive flouring mills of Russell, Fox & Co. The traffic of the new road is reported to be very heavy, and beyond the most sanguine expectations. (Watkins Democrat)

December 11, 1885 - Second extra 26, due in Geneva about 12 o'clock, broke in two while rounding the bay, and the train was slowed up in order to effect a coupling. The hind section was brought to a stop. Considerable time was necessarily consumed in recoupling, and before it was accomplished train number 34, hove in sight out of the cut south of the bay. Mr. Ready, who handles the throttle of engine 53 which was hauling train 34, whistled for brakes and reversed his engine, but on account of the heavy down grade it was impossible to stop the train before the engine struck the section ahead of it. The caboose was badly demolished, three coal cars were wrecked, and the engine was derailed. No one was hurt. (Geneva Gazette)

December 16, 1885 - There has been some little solicitude manifested in this section of the State since the announcement of Mr. Vanderbilt's death, for fear that his sudden demise would injuriously affect the extensive business relations existing between him and Gen. G. J. Magee, of Watkins, and between the Fall Brook Coal Co.'s Railway system, and that of the New York Central ... We are enabled to state on the best of authority ... that the S. G. & C. Railway, and all its extensions and branches, under the management of the Fall Brook Coal Company - of which Gen. Magee is President - will move onward, without any obstruction or embarrassment, the same after Mr. Vanderbilt's death and before ... the immense business of the Fall Brook Co.'s Railways will go on, as hitherto, working out the great destiny planned for them by the far-seeing genius and enterprise of Gen. Magee; and the company's triumphant success, is no longer problematical, but fully assured. (Watkins Democrat)

December 22, 1885 - It is stated that the Fall Brook Coal Company will have to get out of its mines 300,000 tons of coal before it can fill the orders already received. The present freightage over its railway lines is immense but no one doubts the Company's ability to promptly meet all requirements during the season of heavy coal consumption. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 24, 1885 - At 3:10 this morning, a fire was discovered in a large shed, the property of the Fall Brook Coal Company, and adjoining the latter's brick row foundry, near the Magee row. ... the shed was soon all ablaze and was rapidly destroyed. ...the fire was incendiary. (Corning Journal)

spacer Cooperation between Gen. Magee and the Vanderbilts

December 24, 1885 - The business relations between the New York Central and the Fall Brook Coal Company's Railways were never more amicable or gave promise of greater permanency than at present, notwithstanding the fact of the sudden and unexpected demise of Wm. H. Vanderbilt, whose solicitude for the success of the latter corporation was apparently second only to that of its President, Gen. Geo. J. Magee. From the inception of the S. G. & C. Railway until Mr. Vanderbilt's death, his personal and business relations with General Magee were marked by the greatest harmony, and through their united action was built up the extensive system from Lyons to Williamsport, that is now one of the New York Central's greatest co-operators. (Watkins Express)

January 5, 1886 - The Fall Brook Co. continues the work of filling in the trestle at Geneva. At each of the long places they will have an opening to force the water out as fast as filled in with earth. (Geneva Advertiser)

February 3, 1886 - Over 230,000 tons of hard and soft coal were received at the New York Central railroad chute in Lyons during the month of January, and this is the largest quantity of coal ever received there in any month since Lyons was made the chief coaling station on the New York Central railroad in 1878.
The coal is brought to Lyons by the Lehigh Valley and Fall Brook railroads, which have jointly leased the Geneva and Lyons railroad to Lyons. After the coal is placed in immense pockets in the chute it is placed in box cars and shipped to points in the east and west. The demand for the coal in the western states has been three times larger this season than last and is still increasing.
Last week several hundred tons of hard coal were shipped from Lyons to points in Wyoming, Arizona and Utah. On some days the number of coal trains into Lyons is so large that the railroad yard there is blocked for hours. (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)

February 3, 1886 - The new mines opened up by Fall Brook coal company upon the lands north of Fall Brook village are proving to be very valuable. .. the company, in addition to their large fields at Fall Brook and Morris Run, have also a large field between Blubbers and Arnot, which in due time will be opened up and placed upon the market. As a steam and blacksmith coal it stands pre-eminent. (Blossburg Advertiser)

February 10, 1886 - The Penn Yan branch of the S. G. & C. Railway route is reported as doing a business that exceeds the expectations of the company. It is carrying a large number of passengers, a great amount of freight, and lately considerable stock. The Fall Brook Company are now fillings their large ice house at Corning with ice from Keuka Lake, and in summer it can be distributed for use to any and all pints along the main route. (Watkins Democrat)

February 13, 1886 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee was last week elected general manager of the Beach [sic] Creek Railroad, and the road transferred formally from the hands of the general contractor to the corporation. (Havana Journal)

February 18, 1886 - The new mines opened up by the Fall Brook Coal Company upon their lands north of Fall Brook are proving very valuable. The coal is about 5 feet in thickness, and it is growing better as the work progresses. There is every indication that the coal field is large, thus assuring many million tons more of coal to their already known resources. (Watkins Express)

February 25, 1886 - The Fall Brook Coal Company, lessees and operators, is to make improvements in several bridges ... the iron bridge over Watkins Glen is to be greatly strengthened at the expense of six thousand dollars .. the locomotives are heavier than those used when the road opened in September 1877, and the length of coal trains increased. And therefore expensive improvements of the bridges are soon to be made. (Corning Journal)

March 2, 1886 - All employees of the Fall Brook Railroad are strictly forbidden to use intoxicating liquors. This order has been in effect for some time. Never was a passenger injured on that company's routes. General Magee is destined to become the most level-headed railroad man of the age ... (Geneva Advertiser)

March 3, 1886 - Work at Morris Run is dull. The cause of the stagnation at Fall Brook and Morris Run is said to be the running out of the Fall Brook Coal Co's contract with the New York Central, and the shutdown of a number of iron works which used the Blossburg Coal. (Blossburg Advertiser)

March 9, 1886 - The Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad is now one of the best ballasted railroads in the State. All its bridges are of iron, except the trestles at Geneva, which will soon be filled in. (Geneva Advertiser)

March 10, 1886 - Should the Fall Brook Coal Co. conclude to build a railroad from Blossburg to Tioga, as is rumored, there is no doubt that 25 per cent of the money necessary to construct the line will be subscribed by the people along the route. The undeveloped coal lands of the Fall Brook Coal Co. between Blossburg and Arnot, and other places at the head of the Tioga Valley is simply immense ... there is a possibility that reasonable rates for freight would be obtainable, and would add largely to their freight and passenger traffic, and make it one on the best paying roads in the commonwealth. (Blossburg Advertiser)

March 10, 1886 - It is rumored now that Gen. Magee is about to turn his entire operation to the development of his own coal lands in Tioga county and to the sale of his millions of tons of the best semi-bituminous coal in America which is known under the general head of "Blossburg coal". It is also rumored that he will manufacture largely coke, which has a reputation second to none in the market. (Blossburg Advertiser)

March 10, 1886 - It is said that the new mine which will be opened at Fall Brook, Pa., as soon as spring opens, contains at least two hundred thousand tons of coal of an excellent quality. (Watkins Democrat)

March 18, 1886 - A wreck occurred on the Fall Brook Railway Friday night, at a point where it crosses the Erie in Corning. Five cars were derailed caused by a brake beam falling. Erie passenger trains were delayed one hour in consequence of the wreck. (Watkins Express)

March 25, 1886 - There is a prospect that the Fall Brook Coal Company will build a road from Tioga to Blossburg to tap the undeveloped coal lands at the head of the valley. The project is warmly welcomed by residents along the proposed route. (Watkins Express)

April 1, 1886 - There has been an amicable settlement of the trouble existing for some years, between the Corning Glass Works and the Fall Brook Coal Company. The latter gave orders some days ago that switching should resume as usual. This not only applies to the Glass Works, but to all other Corning shippers by carloads. It is gratifying that the trouble has ended. (Corning Journal)

April 7, 1886 - Let the businessmen of this place start the ball rolling for a new road from Tioga to Blossburg by holding a meeting. (Blossburg Advertiser)

April 14, 1886 - The high freights charged by the Erie company over its Tioga branch are outrageous. It is a shame that the business men have to be bled to satisfy the cravings of an unprincipled and ever grasping monopoly. (Blossburg Advertiser)

April 16, 1886 - Late in the fall the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad company began the work of filling in the trestles of their road through this village ... this will give the railroad company a solid earth foundation for their road where the trestles now are, and besides, the space between the road and the present shore of the lake will be entirely filled in, thus extending the shore of the lake to the east of the railroad track ... Engine 13, "Sam Patch," Jas. J. Roberts engineer, is doing the work ... (Geneva Gazette)

April 20, 1886 - The Register has it from railroad officials that there is no immediate prospect of a new road in the Tioga valley, as the Erie and Fall Brook Coal Companies have at last come to a good understanding and are now working harmoniously together. Should a serious rupture occur the Fall Brook Company might build a road to connect with theirs at Berry's Bridge but it would not pay them to do so under existing circumstances. (Wellsboro Agitator)

April 28, 1886 - There will be a train run from this place to Fall Brook, via the Fall Brook coal company's road, for the accommodation of passengers ... For some years, persons living in Fall Brook were obliged to walk from that place to Morris Run if they wished to come to this boro. (Blossburg Advertiser)

April 29, 1886 - Alonzo H. Gorton, Superintendent of the Fall Brook system of railroads, died of apoplexy ... in 1860 he became employed in the Magee shops, in woodwork and in building coal cars ... Mr. Gorton had the unlimited confidence of Mr. Magee till his death in 1868, and has ever since had that of General George J. Magee .. Mr. Gorton has superintendence of about two hundred and fifty miles of railway. (Corning Journal)

spacer George R. Brown Appointed Superintendent

May 5, 1886 - George R. Brown of Corning, has been appointed Superintendent of the Fall Brook Railway system, as the successor of A. H. Gorton, deceased. He has been twenty-two years in the employ of the company, the last two years and a half as assistant superintendent; and his promotion is well deserved and judicious. (Watkins Democrat)

May 19 1886 - The S. G. & C. railway bridge, that crosses Watkins Glen, a few rods south of Glen Bridge station, is being strengthened by the Buffalo Bridge Company, by whom it was constructed 10 years ago. They have put in one single chord weighing over 7 tons, which was handled smoothly and safely, and fitted to a dot. (Watkins Democrat)

June 3, 1886 - Robert H. Canfield has been appointed Assistant Superintendent of the railways, owned or operated by the Fall Brook Coal Company. Mr. Canfield is a Civil Engineer and has been in the service of the Company for a series of years, and was an assistant of W.S. Nearing, Chief Engineer, in the construction of the Beech Creek railroad. (Corning Journal)

June 3, 1886 - The strengthening of the Glen Bridge on the S. G. & C. Railway has been successfully accomplished, and the conductors of the heaviest trains on the road now have no disinclination to take their trains over the fearful gorge it spans. The iron stringers of the structure were entirely removed to make room for others of nearly twice their strength, and most of the connecting rods were also replaced. (Watkins Express)

June 4, 1886 - We rise to make the motion that a monument be erected by the miners and citizens of Tioga county to the memory of the late Duncan S. Magee and Humphries Brewer, to be placed in the square in front of the Fall Brook Hotel, near the mouth of the old and first "Drift" No. 1, the scene of the first mining operations of the Fall Brook Coal Company. (Blossburg Advertiser)

June 9, 1886 - On Friday evening last, Gen. G. J. Magee, with a party of Philadelphia friends, made a run from Clearfield, Pa., to Corning, over the S. G. & C. route, a distance of 240 miles, with several stops in 8 hours. He had been to attend the sale of the Beech Creek, Clearfield and Southwestern Railroad, which took place at Clearfield on that day, at the hands of the Sheriff of Clearfield county, whose legal fees were over $6,000. The route will hereafter be known as the Beech Creek and Clearfield Railroad. (Watkins Democrat)

June 9, 1886 - The Beech Creek, Clearfield & Southwestern railroad was sold at Clearfield, Pa., Friday afternoon, June 4th, to W. K. Vanderbilt, C. C. Clarke, G. F. Bear, J M. Gazzam and C. J. Langdon, for $1,300 subject to mortgage held by the Union Trust Company, in New York for $5,000,000. It is understood that this sale will prove favorable to the Fall Brook Coal company, its railway routes and to Gen. G. J. Magee of Watkins. (Watkins Democrat)

June 11, 1886 - The Erie Company at this place has been recently engaged in cleaning up the roundhouse of all the old locomotives that have become permanently disabled, and sending them off either to the repair shop or the scrap pile. Among the number thus removed was the "Deacon Lovejoy," the first locomotive owned by the Fall Brook Company twenty-seven years ago. A number of years ago the Fall Brook Coal Company sold it to the Blossburg Coal Company, and for the past three years it has been turned out in the yard, like an old horse who had outlived his usefulness, to die. The Fall Brook Company should have purchased it and kept it as a memento of the early days of the history of that company. (Blossburg Advertiser)

June 15, 1886 - The Fall Brook Coal Company last year carried a total of 2,055,980 tons of freight. About ninety-five per cent of its revenue is from freight. About 102,000 passengers were carried. The company estimates the expense of running a passenger train at thirty-cents per mile. The railway employees number about 410. (Yates County Chronicle reprinted in the Watkins Democrat)

June 17, 1886 - One of Charles Barry's new railway clock signals is in operation near the Fall Brook depot. Its purpose, concisely stated, is to indicate to an engineer the exact time at which a previous train passed, and it does this perfectly .. if adopted by railroads the signals would undoubtedly every year prevent many costly smash-ups. (Corning Journal)

June 17, 1886 - In the confines of old Tioga there are more than one hundred miles of standard gauge railroad owned and operated by the company he (John Magee) organized. The villages of Fall Brook, Antrim, and together with the Vanderbilts, Morris Run, are the company's property. At these places nearly a million tons of coal are mined annually. This vast corporation, whose effect on the business of this country no one can estimate, is the result of the money, energy and enterprise of John Magee, and it is fitting that here some testimonial should be erected to his memory. (Wellsboro Republican)

June 22, 1886 - The first locomotive owned by the Fall Brook road, the "Deacon Lovejoy," left Blossburg recently to be broken up for scrap-iron. The engine has been in service twenty-seven years. (Watkins Democrat)

June 24, 1886 - A meeting of the local committee was held last evening at the Dickinson House to raise subscriptions to build a monument at Wellsboro, in honor of Hon. John Magee ... this village has been vastly indebted to the enterprise of Mr. Magee in developing coal mines in the Blossburg region, and thus immensely increasing the railroad business in the Tioga Valley. (Corning Journal)

Fall Brook Timetable 1886
Fall Brook Railways Schedule
July, 1886

July 2, 1886 - Fred S. Bragg, the veteran engineer for the Fall Brook Coal Company, has invented and patented a valuable "cinder escape and draft regulator," for steam locomotives. (Blossburg Advertiser)

August 6, 1886 - Engine No. 35 of the Fall Brook R. R. is the one used to haul the dirt train employed in filling up the trestle, etc. Yesterday morning it was brought up from the round house in charge of the "wiper," and side-tracked on the rails just west of the water tank. Unfortunately, the switch connecting this side track with the main track was left open. Shortly afterwards a "wild-cat," coal train arrived from the south; its engine, No. 12 in charge of Albert Smith, ran off the track at this point and before going much farther than its length turned over on its side towards the canal. After shutting off steam, the engineer and fireman leaped from their places and escaped injury ... the very material damage occurring was to engine 12. (Geneva Gazette)

August 12, 1886 - General George J. Magee sails for Europe on Saturday (14) to be absent four months. He left Corning for New York on Tuesday, in company with General Austin Lathrop, who will see him embark. (Corning Journal)

August 13, 1886 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee, Austin Hardt, Geo. R. Brown and Daniel Beach, of the Fall Brook Coal Co., accompanied by Supt. R.B. Cable of the Tioga road, and Samuel Hines were in town ...They came on Gen. Magee's private car, the "John." (Blossburg Advertiser)

August 13, 1886 - No person or persons can ride on any coal train belonging to the Fall Brook Coal Company unless actually employed on that train, without a special permit from the superintendent. (Steuben Courier)

August 13, 1886 - Abram Crowley still manipulates the throttle as engineer for the Fall Brook Coal Company. "Abe" is a first class engineer. (Blossburg Advertiser)

August 17, 1886 - The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning railroad, which leases its lines to the Fall Brook Company is a corporation of which the public knows little. Its capital stock is $1,200,000 owned by twenty-nine persons. Gen. Geo. J. Magee in President. (Wellsboro Agitator)

August 18, 1886 - The Blossburg Coal Company are about to explore some of the lands of the Fall Brook Coal Company adjoining Arnot with a view of purchasing and developing the same. (Watkins Democrat)

August 26, 1886 - The Watkins Express says that Gen. George J. Magee's destination in Europe is Carlsbad, Bohemia, famous for its medical baths. (Corning Journal)

August 26, 1886 - Samuel Conkey, of New York has designed the monument to be erected at Wellsboro as a memorial of Hon. John Magee, deceased of Watkins. It will be of native sandstone. On each of its four sides will be bronze panels, two for inscription and two having designs in relief of a drift of a coal mine, and also a locomotive on a track. On the top is to be a marble bust, double life size. (Corning Journal)

September 1, 1886 - On Saturday of last week, a party of young ladies and gentlemen from Watkins visited Antrim. They were tendered the use of Gen. Magee's private car "Glenfeld," from Corning to Antrim and back to Watkins. (Watkins Democrat)

September 16, 1886 - The excursion of the Fall Brook shop's employees, to Lake Keuka on Saturday was the biggest excursion which has started out of Corning this season. There were eleven cars full of happy persons. The Fall Brook Band played generously of their most tuneful music. (Corning Journal)

September 16, 1886 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has a gravel train and a large gang of Italians at work on the Cowanesque branch filling in the trestles, graveling the road-bed and putting it in first-class shape for winter. (Watkins Express)

September 21, 1886 - In all the years that the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad has been in operation, we fail to remember an accident where any passenger has been killed or injured. (Geneva Advertiser)

September 22, 1886 - Eight hundred thousand pounds of freight are said to have been handled in one day recently, on the Penn Yan branch of the S. G. & C. Railway. (Watkins Democrat)

September 30, 1886 - The miners of Antrim are again working full time, about 450 being employed. From 1,200 to 1,300 tons of coal are being shipped each day. The new drift is nearly completed, and an engine and fan have been placed at its mouth to furnish air for the workmen. The monthly payroll of the company is said to be $50,000. Fifty six locomotives are in use on the Fall Brook roads. (Watkins Express)

October 2, 1886 - A strike on the Fall Brook Railway of coal and freight train brakemen took place the the yard at Corning this morning. The cause of the trouble is the renewal of the old orders that one of four brakemen on coal and freight trains shall ride in the middle of the train and not enter the caboose while on the run, regardless of the weather. The brakemen this afternoon sent a committee of four of their number to Superintendent Brown to secure if possible a revocation of the obnoxious order. These men, it is reported, were discharged forthwith. (NYT)

October 7, 1886 - The right of way for a double track has been secured by the Fall Brook Railway Company along its line of road in Geneva. (Watkins Express)

October 9, 1886 - The brakemen's strike on the S. G. & C. R. R., has been amicably adjusted, and trains are now running as formerly. (Havana Journal)

October 19, 1886 - The Fall Brook Railway Company has just put two new locomotives to use on its line of roads [road nos. 57 & 58]. The Company is still at work improving the road-bed, replacing wooden bridges with stone and iron, filling trestles with earth, etc. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 10, 1886 - It is conceded that the Fall Brook Railway Company gives grape growers the best accommodations for shipping by running a through car to Philadelphia daily: to New York on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of each week, and to Boston on Wednesday and Saturday. (Watkins Democrat)

November 6, 1886 - "Post Creek" and "Rock Stream" are the names of two new freight engines recently built for the Fall Brook Coal Company. It is becoming quite the fashion with railroad corporations to name their locomotives and coaches after stations of prominence or interest along the line of the road. (Geneva Gazette)

November 11, 1886 - General George J. Magee arrived in New York on Sunday, from Europe ... his health is greatly improved. (Corning Journal)

November 24, 1896 - The Fall Brook Railway Company of Pennsylvania has established emergency hospitals at its most important stations. (New York Times)

November 25, 1886 - The Fall Brook Band will go to Wellsboro, Pa. Wednesday, December 1, to participate in the ceremonies of the unveiling of the John Magee monument. (Corning Journal)

November 25, 1886 - Governor Hill arrived in Havana on Saturday and spoke the the impressive exercises in memory of Charles Cook, deceased. While in Havana, he was the guest of Hull Fanton, Esq. He was the guest of General Magee at Watkins Saturday night and on Sunday forenoon he came to Corning in company with General Austin Lathrop on General Magee's private car "John." (Corning Journal)

November 26, 1886 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee, Messrs Jno. Lang, Daniel Beach, Geo. R. Brown, R. Canfield and Geo. Haviland, officers of the Fall Brook R. R. Co., were in town last Wednesday and inspected the work of "filling in" along the lake front, now nearing completion ... instead of the estimated number of cubic yards of earth required to do the filling in, which was 70,000, it has taken three times that amount, or 210,000, and the cost has been $75,000. The village of Geneva has reason to thank its lucky stars that Gen. Magee succeeded in getting a right of way for the S. G. & C. Railway through its unhealthy territory. (Geneva Gazette)

December 2, 1886 - The Fall Brook Coal Company issued the following order ... Owing to steam brakes recently put on freight engines, on and after December 1, 1886, coal trains will be run with three instead of four brakemen. The pay for Conductors and Brakemen will be increased and rated in proportion to the length of time they have been in the company's service. (Corning Journal)

spacer John Magee Monument Dedicated at Wellsboro, PA

December 2, 1886 - Yesterday, at Wellsboro, with ceremony and with general interest and glowing eulogiums, a bust was unveiled of one who deserved high honor. John Magee, a poor boy, elder son of an emigrant from the north of Ireland, County Antrim, came to Bath when he was twenty-two years old. (Corning Journal)

December 2, 1886 - A monument to the late Hon. John Magee erected at Wellsboro, Pa., was unveiled with appropriate ceremonies on the 1st. inst. A great multitude was present and participated in the proceedings. Special trains took people from Bath, Corning, Watkins, Havana, Williamsport, Elmira and all the smaller neighboring towns. The programme was carried out splendidly. The exercises were held in the public square. (Watkins Express)

December 7, 1886 - The amount of earth used to fill in the trestles of the Geneva & Corning railroad at Geneva was 210,000 cubic yards, and the cost about $75,000. The work commenced about the first of April, and closed about the first of December ... (Geneva Advertiser)

December 9, 1886 - The address by Hon. Daniel Beach delivered at the unveiling of the monument to John Magee at Wellsboro, Pa., December 1st ... is a worthy tribute to the memory of one of the foremost men of his time in Western New York, and merits preservation by all interested in the local history of this section. (Watkins Express)

December 16, 1886 - At three o'clock last Thursday afternoon, the boiler of a locomotive on the Beech Creek railroad exploded at Jersey Shore, a station on the Pine Creek division of the Fall Brook railroads. The report was heard a dozen miles. The locomotive was an old freight engine that had been for repairs in the Beech Creek shops at Jersey Shore station where the Fall Brook road joins. The engine was out for a final trip and was being steamed up and down the track near the shop. (Corning Journal)

December 16, 1886 - Coal trains on the Fall Brook railways are now run with three instead of four brakemen. The reduction of force is occasioned by the use of steam brakes on freight engines. The wages of conductors and brakemen have been increased and rated in proportion to the length of time they have been in the Company's service as follows: $2.25 a day for the first year, and $2.40 a day thereafter; flagmen $1.85 a day; brakemen, $1.62, the first year and $1.75 thereafter. (Watkins Express)

December 23, 1886 - The Fall Brook Coal Company after eight months of work by a large gang of men, has filled in with dirt the space between the old trestles at Geneva and the front of Seneca Lake. About 210,000 cubic yards of dirt were used. (Corning Journal)

January 13, 1887 - It is rumored that the coal trestles in the Fall Brook yard at Geneva, are to be removed to Lyons, and that a round house large enough to accommodate seven engines is to be built at the latter place. (Watkins Express)

January 20, 1887 - About 22,000 tons of hard and soft coal are brought into the New York Central Yard at Lyons every day by the Lehigh Valley and Fall Brook railroads ... this season the coal traffic on the Geneva & Lyons railroad, is the heaviest ever known. A second track will probably be built from Lyons to Geneva next season. (Rochester Democrat)

January 27, 1887 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is adding to its shops in Corning an extensive repair shop which will be 208 feet long and 52 feet wide. (Corning Journal)

January 27, 1887 - The coal miners at Arnot have been strike for a week. About fourteen hundred miners are idle. It is thought that the miners at Morris Run and Fall Brook may strike today unless certain demands are met. (Corning Journal)

February 10, 1887 - The recent strike of coal miners at Arnot affected 1,500 men and was a large loss both to them and the Company. The fire went out in the coke ovens and it cost $4,000 to start it up again. (Corning Journal)

February 24, 1887 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is thinking of a proposed extension of its railroad from Harrison Valley, Tioga County, to Ulysses, Potter County, Pa. (Wellsboro Gazette)

March 4, 1887 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has notified all shippers having special rates on their railways that the contracts will be cancelled April 14, on which day the Inter-State Commerce law goes into effect. (Corning Journal)

March 4, 1887 - One of the most courteous and gentlemanly conductors on the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad is Mr. J. N. Way (Geneva Gazette)

March 4, 1887 - Rumors have been rife for many months that the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railroad would double track its road from Geneva to Corning ... Everyone knows that almost innumerable trains pass over this road daily, but so admirable is the management that collisions are unheard of, and trains are almost always on time. Just as soon, as the business or the exigencies of the traffic demand it a double track will be built. (Geneva Gazette)

March 4, 1887 - This railroad company is progressive and energetic. It owns and uses the very latest and finest rolling stock; the road-bed is in the best condition, and the rails of the road are all of steel. (Geneva Gazette)

March 18, 1887 - An iron bridge is soon to span the gorge of Rock Stream on the S. G. & C. Railway. The structure will be about four hundred and fifty feet long and fifty feet high from the bed of the stream. It is now being built by a Buffalo firm of iron-workers. (Watkins Express)

April 14, 1887 - Gen. George J. Magee and wife have returned from a five weeks' sojourn in Florida and the South. Gen. Magee has much benefitted by the vacation and appears to be in vigorous health. (Corning Journal)

April 29, 1887 - Shipping rates on lumber have been reduced on the roads controlled by the Fall Brook Coal Company since the new law took effect. The Company have determined after May 1st to advance miner's wages five cents per ton and the pay of other workers in proportion. The transactions of this railway organization with the public and its employees have always been characterized by the greatest fairness (Watkins Express)

May 6, 1887 - The Fall Brook Coal Company intend soon to build a new trestle for hard coal at Lyons. (Geneva Gazette)

July 8, 1887 - The Fall Brook Railway Company give $50 in cash to the conductors on their roads as a annual premium for a clean record. Twenty out of thirty-seven received the premium this year. (Hornellsville Weekly Tribune)

July 14, 1887 - The Fall Brook traffic in June surpassed that of any former month in history of the C. C. & A. and S. G. & C. Railroads. Besides the large amount of soft coal passing over the latter road in June, there were also transported seventy-five thousand tons of anthracite coal from the Reading mines. (Corning Journal)

July 21, 1887 - Gen. George J. Magee, President of the Fall Book Company's Railways, gave last year free transportation over his several lines of railroad to all children sent from New York City, under the direction of .. the Tribune Fresh Air Fund ... he has volunteered to do the same philanthropic service this year. (Corning Journal)

July 28, 1887 - A new mileage book will be issued by the Fall Brook Coal Company ... These books will consist of 500 miles and will be sold at $10 each. They will be accepted on the Pine Creek Railway and on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway. (Corning Journal)

August 5, 1887 - General Magee gives Fresh Air Children free transportation over the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railroad. (Geneva Gazette)

August 25, 1887 - We are informed that the coal at Fall Brook is not expected to hold out more than eighteen months longer, and that as soon as the supply of timber in that vicinity has become exhausted, the railroad will be taken up. Fall Brook will then become a veritable deserted village. There are about 250 tenement houses in the place .. giving a population of something over twelve hundred men, women and children who will have to look elsewhere for the means of obtaining a livelihood. (Mansfield Advertiser)

September 2, 1887 - The Fall Brook Coal Company are putting in two new iron bridges just south of Dundee in place of wooden structures which have spanned these deep gorges. With these two in place all the bridges both large and small on the line of the road will be built of iron resting on solid abutments of stone. (Geneva Gazette)

September 15, 1887 - H. A. Horning, Traffic Manager of the Fall Brook Company's Railways, died at his residence in Corning ... aged forty-five years. (Corning Journal)

September 15, 1887 - The switch engine of the Fall Brook Railroad was taken to Lyons last week. All coal trains now got through Geneva to Lyons where new trestles have been erected and where all the transporting in the coal traffic will now be done. (Geneva Courier)

September 22, 1887 - Fall Brook Coal Company has appointed E. F. Kershner, of Lyons as Traffic Manager to succeed H. A. Horning, deceased. (Corning Journal)

October 13, 1887 - The Fall Brook Company is to give premiums to its section foremen, which will be awarded on the basis of total number of days' work done and the condition in which they keep their respective sections. The premiums will be in three classes: $40, $20, $10. (Corning Journal)

October 13, 1887 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is laying new and larger rails upon its tracks at Dundee, and also putting in patent switches. (Watkins Express)

October 21, 1887 - "The Geneva & Lyons Railroad," said the Western Railway World, in a recent issue, "is one of the finest pieces of road-bed in America. It is only a few miles long, and every improvement in the manner of railroad building has been tried there and the best adopted. The road is the private property of the Vanderbilt family of New York, and no expense is spared to keep it in splendid condition. The Fall Brook and Lehigh Valley Railroads lease the road." (Geneva Gazette)

October 27, 1887 - John Magee, son of Gen. Geo. Magee, of Watkins, goes to Europe next month to be absent 'til spring. He will be accompanied by Rev. George D. Meigs, who was disabled by paralysis several months ago ... Gen. Magee pays the entire expenses of Mr. Meigs, and also contributes to his family. The generosity of Mr. Magee is worthy of praise ... the health of Mr. Meigs is improving. (Corning Journal)

November 2, 1887 - The erection of the two new iron bridges on the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad, just south of Dundee, was a triumph of engineering skill ... during a ride over this road a few days ago we noticed that new and very heavy steel rails are being laid ... the officers of this corporation are energetic and astute railroad and business men, and are leaving nothing undone in the way of rolling stock, road-bed, bridges and other details to make this the safest and best line in the State. (Geneva Gazette)

November 17, 1887 - Charles Barry, who is to equip the S. G. & C. with his Time Signals, expects to begin this week to put up the Signals along the line of the road. They will be placed at a distance of about three miles apart .. Experienced railroad men regard the Time Signal as one of the simplest and most perfect of mechanical devices for recording the movement of trains. (Corning Journal)

November 17, 1887 - Surveys are being made by the Fall Brook Coal Company for railroad between Antrim and Morris. We understand that the principal object of the projected route is to reach valuable coal lands of the company on Babb's Creek. (Watkins Express)

November 24, 1887 - Near Mulhollon, a few miles south of Corning on the Fall Brook road, at 7:50 Monday evening, fast freight 70 ran into the rear end of a wildcat train ... the accident happened on a sharp curve ... Twenty cars of the wildcat were thrown from the track and more or less smashed. (Corning Journal)

November 24, 1887 - The facilities for business afforded by the Fall Brook lines of railway are marked, and citizens should not forget that the notable prosperity of recent years received its impulse and has been largely sustained by the extraordinary sagacity and enterprise of Gen. Magee, President of the Fall Brook Coal Company. (Rochester Daily Union)

November 25, 1887 - ... ground has been broken by the Fall Brook Coal Company for a new freight and passenger depot, telegraph office, and trainman's quarters. This new building will stand in the site of the old telegraph office and extend south therefrom ... the side-track running to the Central-Hudson depot along side the water tank will be taken up and a large covered way built connecting the two depots so that passengers changing from one depot to the other can do so under cover. (Watkins Gazette)

November 29, 1887 - The Pine Creek Railway Company has just purchased one thousand new gondola coal-cars with a capacity of twenty-five tons each. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 29, 1887 - Last week there was a disastrous rear end collision on the Fall Brook railroad near Mulhollon, NY. A wild-cat train was going north at about eight miles an hour, when the fast freight No. 70 thundered around a curve and smashed into the caboose. Seventy's engine was badly smashed, and a dozen or more coal dumps of the wild-cat, loaded and empty were derailed and battered up ... on the wild-cat caboose were three trainmen. They jumped through the windows and from the platform, making miraculous escapes, as the locomotive instantly plowed through the caboose, cutting it in two. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 1, 1887 - The new coal schutes at Lyons will be ready for use about November 29th. They will have a capacity of loading eight cars on a side; the time required for the same will be about two minutes. (Watkins Express)

December 8, 1887 - John, J. Walsh, for thirteen years an employee of the Fall Brook Coal Company, has been appointed train dispatcher and will have charge of all trains on the Pine Creek and Beech Creek Railways between Jersey Shore and Newberry Junction. (Corning Journal)

December 8, 1887 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is erecting a railway freight depot and office to the southeast of the New York Central station at Geneva. (Watkins Express)

December 8, 1887 - The Corning Journal says that Charles Barry, who is to equip the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway with his time signals, expects to begin this week to put up the signals along the line of the road. They will be placed at a distance of about three miles apart. The wood work and track connections of the signals are being made at the Magee shops. The clock apparatus will be furnished by the Calendar Clock Company, of Ithaca. Experienced railroad men regard the time signal as one of the simplest and most perfect mechanical devices for recording the movements of trains. (Watkins Express)

December 12, 1887 - Arrangements are being made to introduce steam heat at Antrim. The Fall Brook Coal Company contemplates building the plant and utilizing the bony or refuse coal as fuel. The company's buildings and the dwelling houses of those who desire it will be thus warmed. There is little doubt about it being a profitable investment to all concerned. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 27, 1887 - The morning train south on the Fall Brook road jumped the track at the east Y, last Saturday morning. The engineer and fireman alone were injured and they by only a few slight bruises. Travel was not long delayed. (Geneva Advertiser)


Presho Railroad Depot - late 1800s
Courtesy of Lindley Historical Society

December 29, 1887 - The name of the post-office at Erwin Centre has been changed to Presho, in compliment of T. J. Presho, who has been a general merchant there for years, and is the Railroad Station Agent. (Corning Journal)

January 9, 1888 - The Barry Time Signals are now in working order along the S. G. & C. railway and are found to be the improvement expected. (Watkins Express)

January 10, 1888 - Gen. George J. Magee, President of the Fall Brook Coal Company, has issued a circular announcing that Mr. W. H. Northrup has been appointed Passenger Agent of the Fall Brook railways. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 10, 1888 - Antrim - Business is very lively about the mines now, and coal is being shipped at a lively rate. Two engines are now required to move the trains. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 11, 1888 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has determined to consolidate the stations on the S. G. & C. railroad known respectively as Glen Bridge and Watkins Glen. The station will be located at the bridge, and no stop will be made at the other station. The change will probably be made this winter. So much confusion has resulted from the proximity of the stations and the similarity of the names, that the purposed change is believed to be desirable. (Watkins Democrat)

January 19, 1888 - The passenger conductors, passenger brakemen and baggage men of the Fall Brook Coal Company have new and very tasty railroad caps, blue in color. (Corning Journal)

January 25, 1888 - Conductor John H. Way of the Fall Brook road, has been designated chief clerk in the office of the General Superintendent at Corning. (Watkins Democrat)

January 26, 1888 - Through the breaking of a rail on the S. G. & C. Railway, Sunday last, a locomotive tender and some empty coal cars were piled up in the creek just north of Reading Center station. (Watkins Express)

February 2, 1888 - The first notable train wreck occurred. “Early this morning freight train No. 91 going south on the Pine Creek Railway, as it ran upon the long trestle-work at the Blackwell bridge was thrown off the track by a broken frog. The locomotive mounted the rail again, however, and passed over the bridge all right; but the freight cars tore the trestle to pieces, and ten loaded cars went down with the structure and eighteen cars also went off the track but did not go down with the trestle.” (Wellsboro Agitator)

February 12, 1888 - In the Arnot, Blossburg and Morris Run mining districts there is a feeling that a little more pay should be given to the miners. The miners asked on the 29th of January for an increase in wages of five cents per ton. The answer was given on the 29th of January, and was to the effect that the company would allow the advance in case it was granted in other bituminous regions, Clearfield, Morris Runs, etc. Manager Hines said his company would be governed in this matter by the action of General Magee and the Fall Brook company. If they grant an advance the example will be followed. (Elmira Morning Telegraph)

February 15, 1888 - The employees of the Fall Brook Coal Company are raising funds for the purchase of an organ for the new Baptist church in Corning. (Watkins Democrat)

March 14, 1888 - The Fall Brook railway company has purchased a strip of land along the outlet at Penn Yan, for the purpose of extending its tracks to the foot of the lake. (Watkins Express)

March 15, 1888 - A freight wreck occurred Tuesday, on the Fall Brook Railway at the little station of Cook's, between Laryngocele and Corning. It took four hours to clear the track. (Watkins Express)

March 15, 1888 - The coal miners at Arnot have resumed full work after a month's idleness caused by the breaking down of the mine engine. (Corning Journal)

March 22, 1888 - The business of the Fall Brook Coal Company will soon be materially increased, as Gen. Magee has taken a lease of the Pardee Colliery, at Philipsburg, Pa. on the Beech Creek Railway, and of a Cannel coal mine nearby. (Corning Journal)

April 16, 1888 - The Fall Brook Railroad is being ballasted and leveled up with waste from the mines. It doesn't look very clean, like stone ballast, but after a few rains settles down hard as cement. (Geneva Gazette)

April 25, 1888 - The Fall Brook railway company has placed an order with the Schenectady Locomotive Works for three 55-ton engines. The new machines will be considerably larger than the "Moguls" now in use and are intended for the long, heavy coal trains daily sent north from the mines. (Watkins Democrat)

May 3, 1888 - The Watkins Express says that the Fall Brook Coal Company has made a survey of the bank along the outlet of Lake Keuka at Penn Yan, preparing to extend the track up to the lake. The Express also says that the railways of the Company are being ballasted and leveled up with waste from the mines. (Corning Journal)

May 17, 1888 - The Wellsboro Gazette says that a system of semaphore signals is being put up along the line of the Pine Creek Railroad. (Corning Journal)

June 7, 1888 - Heavy business on the Fall Brook roads has increased the number of trains twelve per week. (Corning Journal)

June 28, 1888 - The Fall Brook Railway Company has placed on sale 1,000-mile books at $20. About a year since 500-mile books at $10 each were put in use, and the plan worked so well it was decided to try the 1,000-mile. (Watkins Express)

July 5, 1888 - Twenty-six of the twenty-eight freight conductors on the Fall Brook Railroad have received the annual prize of sixty dollars, awarded those who attain a certain number of good marks. (Watkins Democrat)

July 5, 1888 - Local freight Agent J. D. Lawton, of the Fall Brook Coal Co,'s Railways while at the fruit grower's picnic at North Hector, Tuesday last, stated that the company was to put this season one hundred ventilated fruit cars on their route, which connects the fruit farms of the North with those of the South. He also said that the switch admitting direct transfer of fruit from the Seneca Lake boats to Fall Brook cars to be put in at Geneva without delay. (Watkins Express)

July 19, 1888 - Engineer Pease and Fireman F. S. Bragg, on the Fall Brook railroad, started at 7:40 on Monday evening to draw 106 loaded coal cars up the hill to Beaver Dams, twelve miles distant. Four trips were required, but only one tank of coal was used in making the nearly one hundred miles covered. The rapid running time made and the small quantity of coal consumed are features of quite a remarkable trip, which all railroad men will appreciate. (Corning Journal)

July 19, 1888 - An interlocking switch system, to cost $5,000 is soon to be put in the Erie and Fall Brook railroad yards. (Corning Journal)


S. G. & C. Dock and Pavilion at Penn Yan - Lake Keuka
From S. G. & C. brochure 

July 19, 1888 - The Fall Brook Coal company carried over 5,000 passengers on its railroads in Tioga County on the Fourth. (Wellsboro Gazette)

August 10, 1888 - The Fall Brook Company will extend their track 200 feet into the lake at the mouth of the channel at Penn Yan, and build a large and commodious pavilion thereon. (Watkins Democrat)

August 2, 1888 - The steam dredge has nearly completed its labors in Penn Yan. There is now a channel nine feet deep and one hundred feet wide extending from the Fall Brook railroad trestle, near Main Street, to the lake. (Watkins Express)

August 2, 1888 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee has been elected President and one of the Directors of the Central Dock and Terminal Company recently formed in Buffalo ... For some time past the New York Central and Philadelphia and Reading railroads have been compelled to transport the Reading coal at Buffalo over docks and trestles belonging to other companies, and have thus been put to serious inconvenience. To remedy this trouble the above named corporation has been organized. (Watkins Express)

August 9, 1888 - Many of the coaches of the Fall Brook road have already been equipped with apparatus by which they may be heated with steam from the locomotive. (Watkins Express)

September 6, 1888 - It is stated that General Magee has recently had a new coach manufactured for his use over the lines of the Fall Brook Railways, at the Gilbert Car Company's works, Troy, N. Y. It embodies all the appointments of the modern railway palace car. (Watkins Express)

September 13, 1888 - A new hose company will be formed here to protect from fire the property of the Fall Brook Coal Company. The members will be Fall Brook employees. The new organization will be named Magee Hose, in honor of the President of the Fall Brook Company. (Corning Journal)

September 13, 1888 - A new private car for Gen. Magee made its appearance in the Fall Brook yards, within a day or so. It is finished in natural woods and is a beauty. The upholstery of the car will be finished at Corning. The car at present has no name, but is numbered 38. (Watkins Democrat)

September 20, 1888 - The Fall Brook train number six made four miles between Hammonds and Tioga recently in three and a half minutes. (Watkins Express)

September 21, 1888 - Passenger traffic on the Fall brook railroads, it is said, has never been so heavy in the history of the route. Most of the trains have had an extra coach added within the past few months. (Geneva Gazette)

September 25, 1888 - It is stated that an order has been issued from the general office at Corning regarding trainmen on the Fall Brook roads to hereafter report every passenger who is intoxicated or has been drinking. Failure to report may result in dismissal. It is the general opinion that this order will be exceedingly hard to live up to. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 9, 1888 - Passenger traffic on the Fall Brook railroad, it is said by those who know, has never been so heavy in the history of the system; and the freight traffic too, is reported to be steadily increasing, the shipment of grapes alone, at a single station, on Thursday last, being over sixty-five tons. (Geneva Advertiser)

October 9, 1888 - Gen. Geo. J. Magee's private car "The Glenfeld" has been relegated to the passenger service, and in its place, the new car, No. 48, built by the Gilbert Car Manufacturing Co. appears. The new car is not very pretentious on the outside, but the interior is elegant. The woodwork on the inside is natural cherry and mahogany. In one end is the kitchen and closets. The center of the car is open, filled with luxurious chairs and sofas, and contains what appears to be elegant dressers, one in each end, but which in reality are folding beds. In the other end is a stateroom, containing a brass bedstead and a smoking room. Off the stateroom is a lavatory, containing a bath and other modern conveniences for a railway car. Each compartment is connected with the porter's room by electric bells. The folding dining tables and standards are neatly packed away in one of the storerooms and the ice boxes for carrying eatables are located underneath the car. Tanks, holding a large supply of water are built overhead giving a complete waterworks throughout. The new car is a model of its kind and insures comfort throughout. It is not, perhaps, as showy as some private cars, but its simple elegance without the show, is far preferable and doubtless more to the taste of its owner. (Geneva Advertiser)

October 9, 1888 - The Fall Brook company is having all of its passenger coaches equipped with steam heating apparatus, and a number of cars have already been so furnished. The cost of putting the apparatus in each car is about $250. The company will also put electric lights in these cars in a few months. All of which goes to show that the Fall Brook company is a most enterprising corporation. (Watkins Democrat)

November 22, 1888 - The Wellsboro Agitator says that a few days ago an engineer of a passenger train on the Beech Creek Railway saw two large black bears on the track some distance ahead of the train. He at once began a series of shrill shrieks with the locomotive whistle which set the bears in motion and caused the passengers to put their heads out of the car windows to learn the cause of the unusual listening. After a short race up the track the bears disappeared in the woods. (Corning Journal)

November 29, 1888 - John Magee, son of Gen. Geo. J. Magee, of this village, having become nearly of age, is about to commence a regular course of business duties, in order to become practically acquainted with the immense interests of the Fall Brook Coal Company, the chief supervisory management of which may in time devolve upon him, and he is evidently soon, by virtue of the wills of his grandfather, Hon. John Magee, and his uncle John Magee, also deceased, to become the wealthiest man who ever bore the family name in this part of the world. (Corning Journal)

December 3, 1888 - The railway mail service was introduced on the Fall Brook Company's railroads, the first postal car, under Fred. W. Bailey (History of the Counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, J.H. Beers & Co., 1890)

December 4, 1888 - The interlocking switch system at the Erie and Fall Brook railway crossing at Corning was put into operation a few days ago. The Corning Democrat says that the tower from which the system is operated is occupied day and night by an expert telegraph operator who receives messages from each way, telling what time a train passed the last station ... it is the safest method extant, to prevent crossing smashups. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 7, 1888 - Engine #41 - the Lycoming - a "mogul" bound south, Geo. Brown engineer, jumped the track at a frog near Codington's boathouse Wednesday afternoon last, and buried itself to the cylinder on one side between the two tracks at that point, temporarily blocking both tracks to the movement of trains. Extra rails were speedily laid on the lakeside ties which enable trains to pass the ditched locomotive. The necessary apparatus and force were promptly utilized to raise the engine, which seems to have suffered but slight damage. (Geneva Gazette)

December 14, 1888 - The Lyons Press says that a good-sized quarrel is going on between the Central and Fall Brook officials. Supt. Toucey and Burrows have pitted themselves against Gen. Magee and his assistants. The outcome will be a Fall Brook office and yard in that village. (Geneva Gazette)

December 18, 1888 - It is rumored that the offices of the Central and the Fall Brook railroads at Lyons were soon to be separated. It is probable that the Fall Brook Co. will erect a freight depot there. (Geneva Advertiser)

December 27, 1888 - The heavy traffic over the Fall Brook roads has necessitated increased switching facilities at Corning. Three engines and crews now do the switching at night, and two engines and crew are thus occupied during the day. It is stated that the freight business of the Fall Brook Coal Company at Lyons will soon be transacted in an office separate from that of the N. Y. Central. (Watkins Express)

January 3, 1889 - On account of the Fall Brook Coal Company's largely increased and increasing business, the office hours of the clerks in the Auditors department will be extended by three hours daily. (Corning Journal)

January 10, 1889 - The Fall Brook and West Shore freight offices at Lyons have united as a joint office, according to the Lyons Republican, and all the Fall Brook business which heretofore has been done at the New York Central has been transferred. (Watkins Express)

February 12, 1889 - The Watkins Express says that for some time past the Fall Brook railway lines have been furnished with pillar clocks, which indicate the length of time between trains. These clocks are set three miles apart and when a train passes one the signal hand flies back to zero and then slowly ahead until the next train comes along and sets it back again. (Wellsboro Agitator)

February 14, 1889 - Increase of business on the Fall Brook railways has necessitated he stationing of a switch engine at Dresden, and it is probable a round house will be there located in the spring. (Watkins Express)

February 20, 1889 - (from the Penn Yan Chronicle) " ... we were invited to take a ride last Monday on private engine belonging to Gen. Magee, the "John," to see the harvesting [of ice]. The exterior of the railroad has been built into the Lake one hundred feet and as the ice is cut out of the lake, it is floated down to the railroad where an endless chute carries it along between the two trucks [sic] filled with cars. As it comes along it is planed with sharp planers and the men on either side pull it off with hooks and load it directly into the cars. The machine is perfect. Ten cars can be loaded in an hour and it can then be shipped away without any further trouble. A large force of men is employed. (Steuben Farmer's Advocate)

March 26, 1889 - The express train on the Cowanesque branch of the Fall Brook railway is handsome in its coat of spring paint. The cars are heated by steam from the locomotive. (Wellsboro Agitator)

spacer May 31, 1889 - The Johnstown Flood
Flooding at  Corning Glass Works, 1889
Flooding at Corning Glass Works
June 1889

June 6, 1889 - (Johnstown Flood) The loss by flood in Steuben county is estimated at $1,000,000 ... the Fall Brook Coal company is a great loser. From Ansonia, PA to Jersey Shore on the Pine Creek division the track is said to have been almost entirely washed away for a distance of fifty miles. It is believed the loss to the company will be $1,000,000. (Olean Democrat)

June 7, 1889 - Fred Bronson, who has been as far south as Corning on the Fall Brook Road, reports a desolate scene throughout the valley. A great deal of Corning is in ruins. At Williamsport the water was so deep in the main street that a river steamer passed down through it. The sufferings of the people in that vicinity seem to have been lost sight of, overshadowed as they are by the fate of Johnstown. (Geneva Gazette)

June 11, 1889 - General Magee and family arrived here last Tuesday, and finding no trains running on the Fall Brook Railroad, chartered a train to convey them to Watkins. (Geneva Advertiser)

June 13, 1889 - On account of the washouts on Pine Creek Railway to Williamsport, Pa., The Fall Brook Coal Company is sending its cars of time freight, bound south, over the Lackawanna and Erie railroads. (Corning Journal)

June 13, 1889 - The flood wrought great damage to the railways of the Fall Brook Coal Company south from Corning into Tioga County, PA., and thence on to Williamsport. The line has practically been closed for eleven days ... the Company is making extraordinary efforts to re-open its road, and hundreds of laborers have been at work along the route ... it may be a week hence before the first train rolls into Williamsport. (Corning Journal)

June 20, 1889 - The Pine Creek Division of the Fall Brook Coal Company's line of railway to Williamsport, Pa., which suffered unprecedented damage in landslides and washouts from the flood, is not in operation. No trains have been run in nearly three weeks. (Corning Journal)

June 27, 1889 - Trains on the Pine Creek division of the Fall Brook Railways are now running through to Williamsport, the great work of repairing the damage wrought by flood having been successfully accomplished. (Watkins Express)

July 4, 1889 - The work of repairing the damage done by the flood to the Fall Brook Coal Company's Railways in Pennsylvania was advanced last week so that the road was reopened, the first passenger train going through on Thursday to Williamsport, Pa. It took large gangs of men nearly four weeks of hard labor to accomplish the task ... It is said that a day or two after the Flood, President George J. Magee was taken into Pennsylvania the better to get an idea of the wreck to his railroad he viewed with his usual equanimity and philosophy the ruins and desolation, although it looked for miles as though the only thing left to the Railroad Company was the right-of-way - and much of that was in doubt. (Corning Journal)

July 11, 1889 - At 3 a.m. on the Fourth of July there was a railroad accident at Geneva, a Fall Brook freight train running into a Lehigh Valley coal train, a mile east of Geneva, at a junction where the Lehigh Valley and Fall Brook cross tracks. (Corning Journal)

July 16, 1889 - Chief Engineer Anton Hardt, for the Fall Brook Coal Company, contracted last week for four new iron railway bridges which are to cost $78,000. (Wellsboro Agitator)

August 1, 1889 - The terrific rain during Monday night damaged the track of the Fall Brook Railroad at Cook's Station and Presho, where there were washouts. (Corning Journal)

August 27, 1889 - Dresden to Penn Yan - Last Wednesday was the first trip we have made over the short line of railroad between the above two villages ... the grade varies in 6-1/2 miles more than any other ten miles of railroad in the United States and so do the curves. Most of the distance of the tow-path of the old abandoned Crooked Lake Canal has been utilized ... the Fall Brook Road has almost a monopoly of the carrying trade of Penn Yan, and deserves it, for the company has expensed many thousands of dollars to get their business, through a gorge that was deemed almost impassible on horse back. (Geneva Advertiser)

August 27, 1889 - Gen. Geo. Magee was in Geneva yesterday, arriving on the "John," in company with the State R. R. Inspector. (Geneva Advertiser)

September 13, 1889 - The Fall Brook Railroad Co. announces that it has perfected arrangements for the prompt movement of grapes and other fruit to New York, Boston, Baltimore, Washington, and to all inland cities and market centers in this State. (Geneva Gazette)

September 16, 1889 - About 7:05 PM, the train from Elmira south on the Tioga Railroad carrying seven coaches ran into a Fall Brook engine at Tioga Junction, PA, causing a fearful wreck, killing two persons and injuring thirteen. The train was coming down a heavy grade, and owing to the slippery track and the refusal of the air brakes to work the engineer was unable to stop it at the station. It rushed by, crashing into one of the Fall Brook heavy Jumbo engines, completely demolishing both locomotives. The engineer and fireman jumped for their lives and escaped with slight injuries. (NYT)

September 19, 1889 - The Elmira train came in on the "Y" and could not be stopped owing to the failure to work the air brakes, which are of the Ames and Loughbridge system. For the four miles from the summit on the east, the grade to the Junction is one hundred and five feet to the mile, and the Elmira train was of seven coaches, and thus there was an impetus which sent the Elmira train a distance of two thousand feet forward. There stood a Fall Brook coal train waiting to go northward as soon as the train from Elmira was out of the way ... The Fall Brook engine was not much damaged. ...the result was fearful ... one of the worst accidents in this County for twenty years. (Corning Journal)

September 19, 1889 - According to a contemporary, August was the busiest month in the history of the Fall Brook Coal Company's roads. (Watkins Express_

spacer Business Is Booming

September 26, 1889 - John Magee, son of the President of the Fall Brook Coal Company, is now working in the "supply department" of the Fall Brook shops here. He recently spent some time at the Antrim mines. He will familiarize himself with the work at the shops and will then enter the Fall Brook offices and go through each department until the plans and systems of handling the traffic of a big railroad and mine are thoroughly understood. (Corning Journal)

October 22, 1889 - It is stated that the Fall Brook system of railways is doing a prosperous and rapidly-increasing business. The June flood knocked the Company out of just twenty-seven days through traffic, but in spite of that fact October 1st showed the transportation of 30,000 tons of anthracite coal in excess of last year's business in the same time. A large number of line freights, over 200 cars daily, pass southward as fast freights, stopping in Corning long enough to change engines only. Superintendent Brown has been trying to borrow engines to assist in moving the freight trains. New equipment is being added, and things are decidedly booming. Three new locomotives will be ready for use in another month. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 22, 1889 - Two freight trains on the Fall Brook road came together on Bradford street on Wednesday, demoralizing the engines and a few freight cars. They happened to be creeping along, or the damage would have been much larger. (Geneva Advertiser)

November, 1889 - The railway car in which "Honest Abe" Lincoln rode from his home to Washington to take his first oath of office as President of the United States is going to decay. The car is number 540, and is the property of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company. It is now run on the Fall Brook road daily between Wellsboro and Antrim, and used as a common smoking car ... It is worn and weather-beaten and externally, and has the appearance of being an emigrant passenger coach ... It was built at the West Albany shops 30 years ago and at the time was considered the acme of railway coach architecture ... Landscapes and railway views are depicted in high colors, with more or less accuracy, while really good oil portraits of Washington and Lincoln are painted on the end panels of the car. (National Car and Locomotive Builder)

November 10, 1889 - It is stated that the Fall Brook roads are so crowded with business that their workmen cannot find time for a reasonable amount of rest and sleep. One engineer remarked that hadn't slept any in four nights. Perhaps some of the recent smash-ups may be accounted for on the score of overworked employees. Men who are worn out and deprived of sleep cannot be so alert and thoughtful as those who work reasonable hours. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 14, 1889 - At two o'clock yesterday afternoon on the Fall Brook road ... there was a collision between a caboose pushed by the engine "Steuben" on its way to the shops, and a switch engine running towards the depot. A turned switch resulted in bringing the caboose and switch engine together with a crash. (Corning Journal)

November 15, 1889 - "A serious railway wreck occurred ... at Tioga Village, PA ... one man lost his life and three engines and several cars were smashed ... A southbound train received orders to allow two north-bound trains to pass it at Tioga. The first train passed all right and evidently forgetting that another train was to pass soon, the engineer of the south-bound train pulled out just in time to discover the second north-bound train coming and running at full speed. The engineer attempted to back on the switch, but before he reached it the north-bound train crashed into his train, wrecking both engines ... the wreck caught fire and the caboose and several cars of the first section were burned." (NYT)

November 26, 1889 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has spent $250,000 in fixing up the railroad and repairing other damage sustained by the June flood. (Geneva Advertiser)

November 28, 1889 - The employees in the Station Agent's office at the Fall Brook depot, are working until 11 o'clock at night in order to bring up the work of their department, which has been greatly retarded by the successive floods that have recently done so much damage to the Fall Brook Company. (Corning Journal)

December 17, 1889 - Special cars from New York passed through here last Thursday conveying parties to the wedding at Watkins, in which the charming daughter of Gen. Geo. J. Magee became the bride. (Geneva Advertiser)

January 2, 1890 - There was a bad wreck on the Fall Brook railroad near Niles Valley, about six miles east of Wellsboro. A freight train entering a switch was struck by another train under full headway and cars were smashed and piled up in confusion. (Corning Journal)

January 6, 1890 - By the wrecking of a work train [returning from the Jan 2 wreck] on the Fall Brook Road near Wellsboro, Penn, last night, three men were killed and sixteen others injured. The accident was caused by the collapse of a bridge while the train was passing over, and the cars and men and tools were precipitated into the creek. The engine and tender passed over safely, became detached from the cars, and remained on the track ... The company has had wrecks nearly every week during the Fall and Winter. (NYT)

January 20, 1890 - An inquest instituted on the 6th day of January 1890, and completed on the 20th day of January, 1890, determined that Ulysses Grant Milliken and Daniel P. Howard were instantly killed by the breaking down of the Sherwood bridge while the wrecking train drawn down by engine No. 34 was passing over the said bridge on the 5th day of January, 1890; that the said bridge collapsed at the moment the mast of the wrecking car came in contact with the rods at the top of the bridge. And do further find that the Fall Brook Coal Company is guilty of gross negligence in running such a heavy engine over it without having subjected the said bridge to a proper test by actual weight. (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tioga County Inquest)

January 28, 1890 - The new Fall Brook Railroad bridge across Pine Creek at Jersey Shore is sixty feet high, twenty feet wide and 374 feet long, yet the main part of the big structure was put up in sixty hours' actual labor. (Watkins Express)

March 5, 1890 - Two new locomotives, monsters in size, have recently been received. The pay roll of the Fall Brook at Antrim, is said to be over $18,000 monthly. (Watkins Express)

April 10, 1890 - Anton Hardt, of Wellsboro, has resigned as Chief Engineer of the Fall Brook Coal Company, and has been succeeded by the Assistant Superintendent, Robert H. Canfield. (Corning Journal)

April 24, 1890 - It is stated that during the latter part of the month the New York Central will deliver four hundred head of cattle to the Fall Brook, consigned to Philadelphia. If the Fall Brook makes good time with the trial shipment, which it undoubtedly will, the Central will thereafter make a regular weekly delivery of twenty cars to that road. (Corning Journal)

April 24, 1890 - The contract for the erection of the storage house, to be located between the F. B. Ry. and the Mills, at Penn Yan, was awarded to C. A. Pulford, of Elmira, whose bid was the lowest, being $16,000. General Magee does nothing by halves, and this building will be perfect in its proportions. The work has already commenced and will be completed in time for the grape crop next autumn. (Watkins Democrat)

May 15, 1890 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is delivering about 100 cars of hard coal and 75 cars of soft coal to the West Shore Railroad per day at Lyons. (Watkins Democrat)

May 27, 1890 - At the request of the Fall Brook Coal Co., the New York Central & Hudson River R. R. Co. have consented to stop their fast "South-western Limited" at Lyons to connect with the Fall Brook evening Express No. 5... Passengers can now leave Grand Central Station, New York, at 10:20 a.m. and arrive at Geneva, via Lyons at 6:50 p.m. (Geneva Advertiser)

June 17, 1890 - General G. J. Magee will sail on the steamer "City of New York," for the shores of England, on a three-months European trip ...Could he only have taken his fast car, the "Little John" along with him, he could probably make the rail route of his travels in faster time. (Geneva Advertiser)

June 19, 1890 - Generals Magee and Lathrop sailed yesterday from New York for Europe, where they will spend several months. (Corning Journal)

June 26, 1890 - The Corning Democrat mentions the fact that Fall Brook conductors, received their annual prize money last week, and those whose whose record had been perfect for the past year, received a check for $60, in addition to their regular pay. (Watkins Democrat)

June 26, 1890 - The Fall Brook Railway is now running a refrigerator car via Geneva to New York on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening of each week. (Watkins Express)

July 17, 1890 - Near Long Point on the S. G. & C. road early last Friday morning, a truck broke on a car of freight train 36 of which the engineer was J. D. Pease of Corning. The train was under good headway, and several cars were derailed and piled upon the track. (Corning Journal)

August 7, 1890 - The S. G. & C. Railway is doing an immense business this season all along its lines. The sidings are crowded with cars taking on and unloading freight. At the Lyons yard 500 cars of coal are received daily. The passenger traffic over the line is also enormous. (Watkins Express)

August 7, 1890 - Fire from locomotives of the S. G. & C. Railway have swept over several meadows contiguous to the track during the dry weather of late. Eight stacks were reported burned on the Pike farm in Dix one day last week. The Company, to its credit be it said, always promptly adjusts such losses. (Watkins Express

August 21, 1890 - A through coach is now running on the Fall Brook Railway between Lyons and Penn Yan ... No change of cars at Dresden on this train. (Watkins Democrat)

August 28, 1890 - The Cowanesque branch of the Fall Brook railroad has been extended two miles and a half beyond Harrison Valley, and now terminates at Mills, Potter County. (Corning Journal)

September 3, 1890 - Gen. George J. Magee and Gen. A. Lathrop are expected home from Europe the last week in September. (Corning Journal)

September 18, 1890 - The Fall Brook Coal Company announces to its patrons that a special fruit train is now running over its roads daily, except Sunday, from the prompt movement of grapes to Philadelphia,Boston, New York, Baltimore, Washington and other principal points.(Watkins Express)

September 25, 1890 - It is reported that Gen. G. J. Magee is to become interested with the Vanderbilts in establishing a through American Continental Railway line from Ocean to Ocean. This would be a grand achievement for the Vanderbilt system, and is just what would naturally be expected - but the report needs confirmation. (Watkins Democrat)

October 2, 1890 - Gen. G. J. Magee returned on Friday night last from his European trip and tour. via the D. L. & W. to Elmira, thence to Corning. He was accompanied by Mrs. Magee from New York, she having met him there on the arrival of the Ocean Steamer He is looking and feeling remarkably well; and his vacation seems to have had a most favorable effect on his health. (Watkins Democrat)

October 2, 1890 - The Fall Brook company is to retrack the road from Billsborough to Geneva with larger and heavier rails. (Watkins Democrat)

October 16, 1890 - It is estimated that the late James Green, of Blossburg, an engineer on the Tioga and Fall Brook railroads for thirty-six years, had run over 1,500,000 miles, equal to sixty times around the earth. (Watkins Democrat)

November 6, 1890 - Gen. George J. Magee, who had been in New York all last week, returned home late Saturday night. It is said the General has some new railroad project on foot, in connection with other railroad magnates, which will soon be heard of, as among the later day developments, in which the public will be greatly interested. (Watkins Democrat)

November 13, 1890 - The Fall Brook Coal Company are engaged in erecting thirteen iron bridges on the line between Corning and Jersey Shore. (Watkins Express)

November 17, 1890 - Last Friday night while approaching the station of Peale on the Beech Creek Railway, Gen. Magee's combination coach and engine, the "John," jumped the track and crashed into a freight car standing on a siding. Flagman Charles Clark, of Corning, and a Beech Creek conductor were in the front end of the John and though that part of the car received the brunt of the damage, they were not seriously hurt. The engineer of the John was L.B. Manning, of Corning. He was running the coach at a good rate of speed and did not have time to reverse the engine. (Corning Journal)

December 4, 1890 - Gen. George Magee, of Watkins, President of the Fall Brook Railroad; H. J. Haden, second vice-president of the New York Central; Mr. Lang, General manager of the West Shore Railroad, and Hon. Daniel Beach, of Watkins, visited Penn Yan on Wednesday last on an inspection tour. They came over the Fall Brook road in the special car "The John" (Penn Yan Express)

December 11, 1890 - Two locomotives, one belonging to the Fall Brook Coal company and the other to the Erie Railroad collided last Saturday in the yard at Blossburg. Both engines were trying to take the main track from switches and came together side by side. The Fall Brook engine, being the heaviest, forced the Erie engine from the track. Both machines were badly damaged. (Wellsboro Gazette)

December 11, 1890 - The Tioga Railroad Company allows the Fall Brook Coal Company to run trains over its road in the transportation of coal from the Fall Brook Coal Company's mines in this county, to various points in New York State, and the State is endeavoring to tax the money which the Tioga company receives for the use of its tracks. The company contends that on account of it being Inter-State business the receipts are not taxable. (Wellsboro Gazette reprinted in Watkins Express)


Freight  Shed   at   Lawrenceville  
Date Unknown  

December 11, 1890 - Four cars loaded with iron ore on the Fall Brook railroad were derailed at Lawrenceville last Thursday. While the wreck was being cleared, Fall Brook trains were run over the Erie's Tioga division between Lawrenceville and Tioga. (Wellsboro Gazette)

January 29, 1891 - The forests of the Fall Brook Coal Company above ground will probably in time prove as valuable as the deposits of coal beneath. The Company already has about 2,500,000 feet of hemlock logs banked at Antrim. (Watkins Express)

April 4, 1891 - The train going north on the Fall Brook road last Saturday evening accidentally ran into a number of box cars at Dresden badly damaging the locomotive and injuring the engineer about the hands quite severely. (Havana Journal)

May 7, 1891 - For some time the papers have been circulating a rumor that the Erie railroad would carry coal from Morris Run to Corning for the Fall Brook Coal Company. The rumor has for its foundation the fact that on May 1st the Fall Brook Coal Company leased the road from Morris Run to Blossburg hitherto operated by the Erie, and now carries coal from Morris Run to Corning direct. (Wellsboro Gazette)

June 4, 1891 - It is said that the Erie Railway Company will open and operate the coal lands near Blossburg, recently purchased of Gen. Geo. J. Magee. (Watkins Express)

June 16, 1891 - General Superintendent G. R. Brown, of the Fall Brook railroad, originated a plan that each freight and coal conductor who performed his duties to the entire satisfaction of the general superintendent, would receive at the end of twelve months service a present of a check for $60. The scheme has been highly successful, and has been the means of splendid discipline in the service and reduced the list of wrecks to a minimum. For the year ending May 31, thirty-six conductors were declared worthy of the premium, and seven were not allowed the premium. (Geneva Advertiser)

August 1, 1891 - The Fall Brook Coal Company have a contract to deliver 800,000 tons of coal to the New York Central-Hudson. (Havana Journal)

August 6, 1891 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is now running from forty to fifty trains over its roads each day. (Watkins Express)

August 13, 1891 - Owing to the large and rapidly increasing freight traffic over its lines of railway the Fall Brook Coal Company has ordered 500 new cars. Two hundred boxcars will be made at Buffalo, and three large gondolas by a New England company. (Wellsboro Gazette)

September 1, 1891 - The Geneva branch of the New York Central and Fall Brook railroads ought to be double-tracked. They are doing an immense traffic, 22 trains passing over this branch of the Central daily. (Geneva Advertiser)

September 24, 1891 - The Glen and pavilion will remain open till about the 1st of November, and the latter will be kept open all winter, as a railway eating, or lunch station, for the S. G. & C. Railway. (Watkins Express)

November 12, 1891 - Monday afternoon (9) in the town of Corning, three miles north of the city, General Magee's private locomotive-car, the "John," was run into by a coal train coming south. The "John" was in charge of Engineer L.B. Manning, and was carrying to Watkins John Lang, Treasurer of the Fall Brook Coal Company, and Daniel Beach, Treasurer of the Morris Run Coal Company. Gen. Magee was not aboard,. The oncoming train was seen in time to allow the "John" to slow up, and all hands jumped and escaped injury. The "John" was badly damaged by the coal train. (Corning Weekly Journal)

November 12, 1891 - The private engine-car "John," was on the route between Corning and this village, coming northward, and had orders to wait at a station until a train due came in. L. B. Manning, the engineer of the "John," did not notice that the train carried signals for an extra just behind it, and started out. Mr. Beach and Mr. Lang being passengers. The car part of the engine went ahead, and was pushed, instead of drawn, and the engineer soon saw a freight train approaching at full speed, and so near that he could not reverse his engine soon enough to avoid a collision. But he instantly reversed the lever, warned the two officials to spring for their lives, and they had just time to escape from the "John," when it was fearfully wrecked by the heavy freight train. Messrs. Beach and Lang are to be heartily congratulated on their good fortune. In a moment more, they would have been killed. To them that was the most precious and valuable moment of time they have ever yet known during all the vicissitudes of their " earthly pilgrimage. (Watkins Express)

November 12, 1891 - It is reported that there were eleven freight wrecks on the railroads of the Fall Brook Coal Company within two weeks. (Wellsboro Gazette)

November 19, 1891 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has ordered the building of five new engines to meet the requirements of the increasing business. (Corning Weekly Journal)

November 19, 1891 - The Fall Brook Coal company moved over its Pine Creek division from Newberry Junction over 600 cars of coal and freight. Three Beech Creek locomotives assisted in the work, the Fall Brook company's power being inadequate to handle its rapidly increasing business. (Corning Weekly Journal)

December 1, 1891 - It is said to be common talk among railroad men in Rochester that the Fall Brook Railroads will soon pass into the Vanderbilt system. Probably they have just caught on to that rumor of two weeks ago. Geneva people will be likely to hear something definitely about it weeks before the change occurs. Thus far it is all rumor. (Geneva Advertiser)

December 3, 1891 - The Fall Brook Company moved the largest amount of freight in any one day in its history last week. The Williamsport Sun says "No passenger trains were run, their entire stock of engines being brought into service, besides three borrowed from the Beech Creek road. A total of 1,993 cars were moved, of which 1,471 were loaded." (Wellsboro Gazette)

December 5, 1891 - Coal train No. 176 was wrecked between Tioga and Tioga Junction on the Tioga Railroad. The train broke in two and the sections came together with such force that several cars were smashed. (Wellsboro Gazette)

December 12, 1891 - John Magee, son of Gen. Geo. J. Magee of Watkins, has been appointed an aid [sic] on the military staff of Governor-elect Flower. This gives him Colonel's rank. (Havana Journal)

January 26, 1892 - More than sixty men are employed in cutting ice on Lake Keuka. It is now about one foot in thickness, and the Fall Brook railroad carries at least thirty carloads daily to different points along its route. (Watkins Express)

January 26, 1892 - The Fall Brook Railway company has taken possession of the Geneva & Lyons railroad which it has leased for a long term. There is but a single track at present, but the Fall Brook company contemplates making two additional tracks. (Geneva Courier reprinted in the Watkins Express)

March 5, 1892 - The Fall Brook road has lately placed two new engines in service, weighing 87 tons each. Three more are expected to be completed this week and placed in service, making 75 engines now in use on the road. (Havana Journal)

March 26, 1892 - A fatal calamity occurred on Monday afternoon of this week a short distance north of Himrods on the Fall Brook Railroad. A young man by the name of John Cowan, a locomotive engineer, was engaged with his engine in operating a snow plow to clear the track of drifts. They were running at the rate of about twelve miles an hour, when his engine, with another, left the track and fell over on the side. (Havana Journal)

April 2, 1892 - The Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim Railway company (which is a part of the Fall Brook system) hold a meeting on the 20th of this month, in Watkins, to consider a proposition to increase the capital stock of the company from two million dollars to five million dollars, and to consider a proposed change in the corporate names. (Havana Journal)

April 7, 1892 - On Saturday morning at 2 o'clock the first section of Fall Brook train No. 569, Sam Doolittle, engineer and Joseph Greener, conductor,, ran into a rock which had rolled down the track a little this side of Tiadaghton. The train consisted of sixty-seven freight cars; fourteen of which were damaged, eleven of which were almost a complete wreck. The engine (No. 37) appears to have received rough treatment, the cab and pilot being smashed, but the working parts luckily escaped. (Corning Journal)

April 7, 1892 - There was a big land slide on the Pine Creek division of the Fall Brook March 29. The slide was 100 feet long and from six to eight feet deep. A temporary track was built to allow the trains to pass around the obstruction (Corning Journal)

May 4, 1892 - The Fall Brook company received three new locomotives last Saturday. (Corning Journal)

May 28, 1892 - The Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim railway has been authorized to increase its capital stock from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000. A new organization, called the Fall Brook Railway Company, will be formed and after July 1st will take possession of and operate the coal business [incorrect] and the railroad leased to the Fall Brook Coal Company. (Havana Journal)

June 8, 1892 - The Fall Brook Company awards a prize of $60 each to each of thirty-two conductors in its service, who made perfect records during the past year (NYT)

spacer The Fall Brook Railway Company

June 24, 1892 - Commencing July 1 the system of railways known as that of the Fall Brook Coal Company, whose headquarters are in Corning, and whose lines extend from Lyons, NY, to Williamsport, PA, will be known under the name, the "Fall Brook Railway Company". The officers of the company are: George J. Magee, President; John Lang, First Vice President; Daniel Beach, Second Vice President and General Counsel; John Magee, Secretary and Assistant to the President and G. R. Brown, General Superintendent. (NYT)

June 30, 1892 - This company, formerly known as the Corning, Cowanesque & Antrim Railway company, on and after this date will operate the lines of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway and the Pine Creek Railway companies as lessee of the same - the said lines being the same heretofore operated by the Fall Brook Coal company, and known as the Fall Brook route." - (Watkins Express)

September 21, 1892 - The Ulysses Sentinel says: "G.R. Brown, Superintendent of the Fall Brook Railway, and L. B. Manning, an engineer on the road, both of Corning, and C. L. Pattison and R. Howland, of Ekland, were in town yesterday on railroad business. Of course the Fall Brook Railway is anxious to retain the patronage of this section. The time has now come when they cannot do so without putting their road to this place. When they realize this, we shall have their road here as quick as it can be built." (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 12, 1892 - The Ulysses Sentinel says that the surveyors are now at work locating the line of the extension of the Cowanesque branch of the Fall Brook Railway from Mills to Ulysses, a distance of seven miles. (Wellsboro Agitator)

Fall Brook Railway Caboose
Fall Brook Railway Caboose and crew  

October 22, 1892 - All the available cars of the Fall Brook Railway Company are pressed into service in the transportation of anthracite coal. (Havana Journal)

November 23, 1892 - Three cars in a freight train on the Fall Brook Railway were smashed in a wreck near Watkins station a few days ago. The train was broken in two and the sections collided. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 8, 1892 - The brotherhood of locomotive engineers have adopted a resolution thanking the officer of the Fall Brook road for their recent action in allowing their employees extra pay for overtime work. It reads in part thus: We desire to thank you (Superintendent Brown) sincerely for your efforts in our behalf and request you to convey our thanks also to President George J. Magee. We shall endeavor to show by our work, as we have in the past, that we appreciate the company's desire to meet its employes fairly in all reasonable requests. (Watkins Express)

December 28, 1892 - A broken frog caused two coaches of Fall Brook train 5 to be thrown off the track at Dundee, Saturday night. Coach 26 was slightly damaged by having its safety chains and break beams broken. (Corning Journal)

January 13, 1893 - The Fall Brook company has taken possession of the Geneva & Lyons railroad, which they have leased for a long term. There is but a single track at present, but the Fall Brook contemplates making two additional tracks. (Hornellsville (NY) Weekly Tribune)

April 6, 1893 - The work of extending the Fall Brook railroad from Mills to Ulysses, in Pennsylvania, is progressing rapidly. Over one hundred men are employed (Watkins Express)

April 13, 1893 - The Coal Trade Journal says a partnership has been formed between Col. John Magee, of Watkins, Secretary of the Fall Brook Railway Co., and W. C. Lingle, of Philipsburg, Pa., ... to operate a new coal mine. Messrs. Magee and Lingle have a tract of 475 acres in the new field of Patton, from which they made the first shipment of coal last week. April 1st they also assumed charge of the Pardee collieries, and the Patton and Phillipsburg mines are now wholly under their control and management. The mines will be known as the Pardee Collieries. Col. Magee is an energetic and accomplished young business man ...... (Watkins Democrat)


Unloading lumber using  air-powered crane
Locomotive Engineering Magazine - 1893 

May 4, 1893 - A meeting of the stockholders of the S. G. & C. Railway Co. will be held at Watkins Station of Thursday next - for the purpose of electing directors, inspectors of election, etc. (Watkins Democrat)

May 12, 1893 - The reports of injuries to passengers on trains running on ... the Fall Brook Railway system ... show that during the twenty years just past, not one passenger has been killed, that only six passengers have been injured, and in two of those cases the injury was the result of carelessness and misconduct of the passenger himself. (Hornellsville Weekly Tribune)

June 1, 1893 - A. F. Martin, a lawyer, has sued the Fall Brook Railroad Co. for two cents, his object being to determine whether railroad company may legally charge more than three cents a mile passenger fare. (Watkins Democrat)

June 14, 1893 - It is said that the extension of the Fall Brook railway from Miklis to Ulysses will be completed about the first of next month. (Wellsboro Agitator)

July 19, 1893 - The afternoon train going north on the Fall Brook railway last Monday was delayed several hours by a freight wreck at Hill's Creek flag station. There were a number of Wellsboro people on the train bound for the World's Fair, and they missed their western connections at Corning that evening. (Wellsboro Agitator)

August 17, 1893 - The Ulysses extension of the Fall Brook railway is now open for traffic. (Watkins Democrat)

August 17, 1893 - The Fall Brook and Central Hudson will run half-fare excursions to the World's Fair on August 26th and 30th, and Sept. 5th and 11th, the first and third via the Michigan Central route, and the second and fourth via the Lake Shore. Fare from points on the S. G. & C. division, $15.25; children, 75 percent of rate for adults. (Watkins Democrat)

September 21, 1893 - Both the Northern Central and Fall Brook railways have started fast fruit trains and it is stated that about forty tons of grapes are shipped each day from Vineyard on Canandaigua lake. (Watkins Express)

September 28, 1893 - In an interview today, Gen. George J. Magee stated positively that he would not be a candidate for State Senator this Fall on the Democratic ticket. He further stated that, if nominated and elected he would not serve. Gen. Magee said that his efforts had always been direct in an executive line, and that he preferred to devote his time to his duties as President of the Fall Brook Railway Company. (NYT)

October 19, 1893 - The Fall Brook Railway company has opened a street of easy grade from their track beyond the Fall Brook dock to the foot of Monell street in Penn Yan. This is a great advantage to shippers of grapes, as eighteen cars can be loaded from wagons at one time. (Watkins Express)

October 26, 1893 - The Lake Keuka grape shipments over the Fall Brook Railway, for some two weeks past have averaged from 120 to 130 tons daily. They go mostly by way of Geneva, over the New York Central. (Watkins Democrat)

December 14, 1893 - The Morris Run Coal Company first gave the property now owned by the Glen Salt Co., the name of Coal Point. Before this appellation was adopted, however, the advisability of calling the place "Salt Point" was considered. This arose from the fact that the coal there transshipped was taken to Syracuse to use in the manufacturing of salt. It is an interesting illustration of the changes of an age, that upwards of a quarter of a century ago, a vast sum of money should be expended in transshipping for salt making, on the very spot where salt in inexhaustible quantities existed but a few hundred feet beneath the surface. (Watkins Express)

December 20, 1893 - There was a disastrous freight wreck on the Fall Brook Railway at Potter Brook a few days ago. A train ran into an open switch, smashed a freight car which stood on the track, wrecked the storehouse of Mr. W. C. Kimball and damaged the locomotive seriously. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 18, 1894 - The Fall Brook Railroad has commenced selling half-fare tickets to clergymen and missionaries. There will probably be a great many "missionaries. (Watkins Democrat)

January 18, 1894 - After being out on strike for ten days and losing $35,000 in wages, the coal miners of Arnot, Fall Brook and Morris Run, in the Blossburg coal region of Pennsylvania, went to work again Monday January 8th accepting a ten percent reduction in wages. (Watkins Express)

January 18, 1894 - The daily output of coal at the Antrim, PA., mines is between 800 and 900 tons. About 300 miners are given employment. (Watkins Express)

January 24, 1894 - The Fall Brook Railway can boast of being the only railroad in this section of the country that has in its service a colored telegraph operator -- he commands the respect of all the railroad boys. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 29, 1894 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is building a car especially for the use of the paymaster along the line of the roads. (Lewisboro Agitator)

February 7, 1894 - The scale house at Newberry Junction, owned by the Fall Brook railway, burned down last week. It caught fire from the stove. The building was completely destroyed while the scales were but slightly damaged. (Corning Journal)

February 8 1894 - The N. Y. Central Railway company, have recently completed a new coal elevator and trestle, at Lyons, at a cost of $28,000, which is said to be the best coal trestle ever erected in the state. (Watkins Democrat)

February 22, 1894 - It is now rumored that the Fall Brook railroad will be extended from Ulysses to Coudersport, Pa. (Watkins Express)

February 22, 1894 - Henry’s Minstrels travel in their own $30,000 palace car, which will be at the Fall Brook depot, on Saturday March 10th, which is the date this noted company appears at Dover’s Open House. (Geneva Advertiser)

March 8, 1894 - The Fall Brook Coal Company has received an order from the New York Central Company for about 1,000 tons of coal per week. The order has been placed with the mines at Fall Brook, Pa. (Watkins Express)

March 8, 1894 - Work at the mines of the Fall Brook Railway Company in Tioga county, Pa., and at the shops in Corning, was suspended last week on the day of the funeral and burial of Mrs. Boisevain, General Magee's daughter. (Watkins Express)


Fall Brook Railways Timetable
August, 1894

March 21, 1894 - Mr. R.H. Canfield, Assistant Superintendent of the Fall Brook company's railways has perfected and patented a new railway switch. It combines many features which will materially assist in the avoidance of accidents and the facilitation of switching cars. One may been seen in operation near the Pine Creek crossing on the Fall Brook track. (Corning Journal)

March 22, 1894 - During the last fiscal year the Fall Brook Railway Company declared 8-1/2 per cent dividends on its preferred and 6 per cent, on its common stock, and carried to the profit and loss account a surplus of $249,824.59. Its freight business amounted to 3,284,840 tons, and there were carried 237,864 passengers. it own 74 locomotives, 33 passenger cars and 3,436 freight cars. Duncan S. Ellsworth, of New York City, is now one of the directors. (Watkins Express)

May 23, 1894 - Numerous landslides are reported on the Pine Creek division of the Fall Brook railway and traffic has been abandoned between Stokesdale and Williamsport. It is stated that the water was as high as the great flood in 1889. (Corning Journal)

May 30, 1894 - Daniel Allen's only cow was killed by a Fall Brook train at Mulhollen. Tom says that the cow "did not look at the time table or was struck by an extra." (Corning Journal)

April 11, 1894 - The ladies of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union have secured permission to place Bibles and temperance literature in all the cabooses of the freight trains on the Fall Brook Railway Company's lines. (Wellsboro Agitator)

June 28, 1894 - No bituminous coal has been shipped over the Fall Brook railroad since the inauguration of the great strike. The miners in the Fall Brook regions have not yet resumed work. (Watkins Express)

July 19, 1894 - The miners in the bituminous coal fields of Pennsylvania at Arnot, Morris Run, Antrim, etc., returned to work on Monday last, and traffic in soft coal has been resumed on the Fall Brook and other roads. (Watkins Express)

August 30, 1894 - The N. Y. Central railway company closed a contract with Beech Creek Coal companies a few days ago for 1,100,000 tons of coal. This is double the amount contracted for last or any previous year. This coal will go over the Fall Brook system from Newbury to Lyons or Geneva. It will take 44,000 cars of 25 tons capacity each - 1,100 trains of 40 cars each to make the transfer from Clearfield county to the Central yards. (Watkins Express)

September 11, 1894 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is meeting with notable business prosperity at present. Besides the big order from the Central-Hudson, engaging 1,100,000 tons of soft coal, hundreds of thousands of tons are to be used by the manufactories at Troy, and contracts have been made with companies for the transportation of 500,000 tons of hard coal from the Schuylkill district. (Watkins Express printed in Geneva Advertiser).

September 13, 1894 - The Fall Brook Railway Company has ordered two locomotives for passenger service, and three consolidated freight engines, from the Schenectady Locomotive Works. (Watkins Express)

October 13, 1894 - A special train passed through Stokesdale Jct. bearing Chauncey M. Depew, President; W.H. Webb, Vice-president; Dr. W. Seward Webb, several of the Vanderbilts and other officials of the New York Central Railroad Company. The party were on a tour of inspection over the Beech Creek Railroad. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 17, 1894 - A news dispatch of Last Thursday states that Messrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Chauncey M. Depew and other officials of the New York Central Railway have completed an inspection of the Fall Brook and Beech Creek railroads in this vicinity. These roads will, it is said, be used in making connections of a new line between New York and Pittsburg. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 24, 1894 - It is stated that the Fall Brook Railway Company's pay-roll for the month of September was $85,000. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 24, 1894 - A few days ago the Fall Brook Railway officials met the managers of the Coudersport and Port Allegany Railway at Ulysses and completed arrangements for the connection of the two roads. The meeting was held in Gen. Magee's private car, and the Coudersport gentlemen were banqueted. Among the party were Hon. A. G. Olmsted, B. A McClure, Charles L. Pattison. George S. Good, Gen. Magee and Superintendent George Brown. It is understood that the eighteen miles of connecting line of railway will be surveyed this fall and graded early next spring. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 31, 1894 - The formal opening of the Buffalo and Susquehanna railway from Keating Summit to Ansonia took place last Friday ... The road is a most important one to the lumber interests of Potter county, opening up as it does a vast tract of valuable timber-land and linking the Fall Brook with the Western New York and Pennsylvania railroad. It will be a valuable feeder to the Fall Brook railways, and it will undoubtedly contribute to the more rapid development of the western part of this country. Regular trains began running to Ansonia last Monday. The passenger coaches and locomotives are as fine as those on any road in this country, and the equipment, as well as the construction of the road is first-class in every particular. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 4, 1894 - The new extension of the Buffalo and Susquehanna railroad, which has a junction with the Fall Brook railway at Ansonia, was inspected by the officials of the Fall Brook this week. The party consisted of Gen. Magee, Col. John Magee, John Lang, Daniel Beach, G. R. Brown, and E. F. Kershner It is expected that that there will be a large interchange between these two roads which will increase the business of the Fall Brook. (Elmira Daily Telegram)

November 22, 1894 - At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Fall Brook Railway Company, held at Watkins Station on Wednesday of last week, the following directors were elected for the ensuing year: George J. Magee, John Lang, Daniel Beach, Henry Sherwood, John Magee, Duncan S. Ellsworth, Jefferson Harrison. (Watkins Express)

1894 Excursion Information
Fall Brook Route Excursions Ad
August, 1894

December 5, 1894 - The Fall Brook Railway round house at Lawrenceville is nearly completed.(Wellsboro Agitator)

December 5, 1894 - The first one of a lot of new locomotives being built at Schenectady for the Fall Brook railways was turned out last week. It is now hauling a passenger train and it is a modern and beautiful piece of machinery. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 8, 1894 - The Fall Brook railway and the Coudersport and Port Allegany, Pa., railway officials have completed arrangements whereby the two roads will be connected. Eighteen miles of the proposed extension will be surveyed this fall and graded in the spring. (Watkins Express)

December 12, 1894 - Presho and Pritchard are the names of two new locomotives of the Fall Brook Coal Company in compliment to stations on the route. (Corning Journal)

December 12, 1894 - The Fall Brook Company has just finished a coal trestle at the rear of the shops, with a capacity of 1,000 tons. (Corning Journal)

December 13, 1894 -The newest and finest passenger locomotive of the Fall Brook road has been named Hiram Pritchard, in honor of that venerable and well-known citizen of Corning. (Watkins Express)

December 20, 1894 - The Fall Brook Railroad Company has erected a coal trestle, in the rear of the car shops in Corning, with a capacity of 1,000 tons. It will be used in cases of emergency. (Watkins Express)

December 27, 1894 - Rev. George D. Meigs, of Geneva, formerly of Watkins, has recently been in charge of the engineer corps surveying the extension of the Coudersport and Port Allegany railroad to Ulysses, Pa., a distance of twenty-three miles. (Watkins Express)

January 5, 1895 - A fast freight train on the Fall Brook Railroad jumped the track near Middlebury (PA) (American Engineer and Railroad Journal, 1895)

January 5, 1895 - Fast freight train No. 83 ... being about 15 minutes behind time, when for some unaccountable reason the locomotive jumped the track. It plowed along over the ties for 50 feet and tipped over on its right side ... The wreck as a most disastrous one. The locomotive, a "stem winder", was badly damaged, and thirteen freight cars were smashed into kindling wood. Three cars shot 50 feet of the engine and were ended over into the field ... the loss to the Railway Company must be very large. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 10, 1895 - (Williamsport, PA) Traffic on the Fall Brook Railroad was completely paralyzed today by snowslides in the mountain regions of Pine Creek. In one instance, an entire freight train was buried out of sight by an avalanche that came sweeping with irresistible fury down the steep declivity, and the crew escaped injury as if by a miracle. Great rocks and tons of earth came down with the snow, and the tracks are buried at points many feet deep ... Not a train over that road arrived or departed from this city today. (NYT)

January 23, 1895 - The Fall Brook railway shops at Corning, N. Y., will do the car repairing for the Buffalo and Susquehanna Railway Company. (Wellsboro Agitator)

January 31, 1895 - General Geo. J. Magee has been re-elected one of the directors of the Pine Creek Railway Company. (Watkins Express)

February 21, 1895 - The Fall Brook pay car was wrecked near Lawrenceville, Pa., on day last week, by the spreading of the rails. (Watkins Express)

February 28, 1895 - Gen. G. J. Magee's private car has been entirely refitted and remodeled at the Wagner shops in Buffalo. (Watkins Express)

March 28, 1895 - The private car of General George J. Magee, which was recently remodeled and improved at the Buffalo car shops, is now said to be one of the finest cars in the country. The bedrooms have been taken out and berth have been made, It is carpeted with a fine quality of Brussels. The trimmings are of oak and mahogany, and the interior of the car as whole is a work of art. The car is painted with a handsome shade of rich yellow, and six-wheel trucks make it as easy a riding coach as possible. (Watkins Express)

April 3, 1895 - The Fall Brook Railway Company handles a larger number of cars and a larger freight tonnage than any other single-track railway in the United States. (Wellsboro Agitator)

June 13, 1895 - On the 26th of June, General Magee and party leave Watkins on what bids fair to be a most delightful summer trip to the Pacific coast and the far northwestern possessions of our country. Three coaches, the General's own excursion car and Wagner special both of which have kitchen and state rooms, and a combination smoker, baggage and commissary car with accommodations for the cooks and attendants, will carry the tourists luxuriously across the continent to Tacoma, from which port the palatial steamer "Queen," will carry them to Sitka, Juneau and the wonderland of the north ... The party to take this splendid transcontinental outing of forty-four days will consist of General and Mrs. Magee and their four children, Col. John Magee and wife, A. S. Stothoff and wife, General Austin Lathrop and wife, Duncan and Magee Ellsworth, George B. Stothoff ... (Watkins Express)

June 27, 1895 - General Magee and a party of friends recently made a trip from Sayre to Geneva in official car No. 48, drawn by one of the company's new locomotives, the "Presho" (No. 10) - a distance of 78 miles in 74 minutes. (Wellsboro Gazette)

July 2, 1895 - General Magee's special train of three elegant cars passed through Geneva on the Fall Brook and Lyons railroad last Thursday afternoon. There were eighteen persons in the party, and they took the four-track Central route from Lyons to Buffalo. The Watkins Express says a carefully prepared itinerary of their journey shows where they will be, barring the unforeseen, on every day of their absence, in order that communications of importance may find them at any point. The distance to be traversed by rail is 6,240 miles. (Geneva Advertiser)

August 8, 1895 - The Wellsboro Advocate says Engine No. 8, "Pritchard" of the Fall Brook has been equipped with an air bell ringing apparatus, which is an innovation on the Fall Brook. The new self-acting bell-ringer has proved entirely satisfactory, and it is probable that all the passenger locomotives on the Fall Brook will be similarly provided. (Watkins Express)

August 28, 1895 - The Fall Brook Railway Company has just completed a substantial coaling trestle at Corning, which is constructed of Georgia pine with a stone and cement foundation. The trestle is 765 feet in length and its extreme height is 32 feet. (Wellsboro Agitator)

September 5, 1895 - Some time ago Colonel John Magee sent a sample, five car lot of his Clearfield county coal to a large dealer in New York city who desired to see if he could handle it to advantage. It would appear not only that he could, but that the coal from the mine is of unusual excellence, for a few days ago, Colonel Magee received an order for 20,000 tons desired by the United States government for the coaling of the new cruiser Columbia. This immense amount, a thousand twenty-ton car loads will be delivered at the Jersey Central Railway docks in Jersey city and will suffice to coal the swift vessel twice. (Watkins Express)

September 12, 1895 - This is the leading single track railroad of the country. The company operates 375 miles of road, and 188 miles of side tracks. The average tonnage is 6,000,000 yearly, and is, in consequence, the largest single track tonnage in the United States. The total car equipment numbers 3,459, and includes 250 new ones being built at the present time. The shops of this company are located here and give employment to 617 men, including engineers, firemen, inspectors, at junction points, etc ... The company never killed a passenger. In 1894, the company carried over 448,000 passengers. In the conduct of its freight business, 21,167 trains have been run, moving over 670,000 cars ... The Fall Brook Railway has been an important factor in building up Corning. (Corning Journal reprinted in Watkins Express)

September 15, 1895 - The coal traffic over the Fall Brook system of railways, which has always been extensive is assuming so great proportions of late that the Company finds it almost impossible to obtain empty cars as rapidly as desired. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 16, 1895 - The Fall Brook Railway Company has received from the Buffalo Car Company over 250 new coal gondolas. They are equipped with the Gould automatic couplers, Westinghouse air brakes and are of 60,000 pounds capacity. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 16, 1895 - The Fall Brook Railway Company is building a new telegraph line along the Cowanesque Valley branch from Lawrenceville to Ulysses. It will be used for train service as soon as it is completed. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 16, 1895 - A disastrous wreck occurred on the Fall Brook Railroad, one mile above Jersey Shore Junction this morning. A southbound freight train had orders to wait for three sections of a north-bound freight to pass, but the engineer of the south-bound train fell asleep, and, upon wakening, pulled out before the third section had passed. A head end collision resulted. The wreck caught fire and the cars were badly damaged. (NYT)

December 12, 1895 - The New York Central have made a very favorable arrangement for sleeping car travel from New York to points on the Fall Brook road. Space will be reserved in the sleeping car leaving the Grand Central Station at 9 p.m. on the "Limited Fast Mail" connecting with Fall Brook train No. 1 at Lyons. Passengers are saved the annoyance and danger of ferry transfer out of New York by taking the train, which carries passengers only to the Fall Brook road and to Rochester. (Watkins Express)

At the Fall Brook shops, at Corning, N.Y., they do all their heavy lifting by hydraulics. In the repair yards they have a pair of heavy cylinders hung on a bridge, to lift box cars with. These cylinders are encased in square wooden boxes, and below each box there is hung a lantern, with its top projecting through into the box - this prevents freezing in winter. (Locomotive Engineering: New York - Vol VIII, 1895)

December 24, 1895 - Fast freight 87 on the Fall Brook Railroad which passes Dresden at 6:35 a.m. was badly smashed up yesterday morning ... when the train reached Dresden some dozen or more cars were cut off from the rear end for the purpose of putting in or dropping out a car. Another freight train coming this way, supposing the whole train had passed south came on down the grade and crashed into the section standing on the track, piling up the cars nearly as high as a house, scattering their contents, and blocking the entire three train track ... Not a person was injured by the collision. (Geneva Advertiser)


A Fall Brook boxcar at Waterloo, NY
on NYC&HR Auburn Road, 1896
Thanks to Waterloo Library and Historical Society
and Richard Palmer

January 16, 1896 - At 10:10 o'clock this morning, freight train No. 2 - 81, Engine 86, on the Fall Brook railway struck Charles H. Wright, of Geneva, killing him instantly. (Geneva Daily Times)

March 20, 1896 - The Fall Brook wrecking car now has sixteen berths and a kitchen. Hereafter the wrecking crew will live in the car while on the road. (Hornellsville Weekly Tribune)

June, 1896 - The Fall Brook Railway is contemplating the purchase of two passenger locomotives [road nos. 9 & 11]. (American Engineer Car Builder and Railroad Journal)

July 8, 1896 - The Fall Brook Coal Company is reopening the old No. 1 drift at Fall Brook, building new schusses and preparing to make other marked improvements about the mines there. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 16, 1896 - The Fall Brook railroad roundhouse in Dresden was burned Saturday morning and all the engines in it were wrecked. (Hornellsville Weekly Tribune)

November 13, 1896 - - The Fall Brook Railroad will establish an emergency hospital in each of the principal stations along the line. (Hornellsville Weekly Tribune)

spacer The Vanderbilts Make Their Move

December 6, 1896 - It is announced that the Vanderbilts are trying to obtain immediate possession of the Fall Brook railroad, which runs from Lyons, to where it connects with the New York Central, to Newberry Junction, Pa., connecting with the Reading railway, a distance of 250 miles.
It is said that the Vanderbilts offered General McGee (sic) of Watkins a large sum for instant possession, but the General refused, and placed a figure far above theirs. As a result the Vanderbilts, it is said, are working on a freeze-out on the road, in conjunction with the Reading, shipping hard coal over the Lehigh Valley instead of the Fall Brook, as formerly.
This has greatly affected the earnings, and over 100 men have been laid off. It is the intention of the Vanderbilts to amalgamate the Fall Brook with the Beach Creek, thus, with the Reading, controlling the coal trade of Pennsylvania. (Syracuse Herald)

January 26, 1897 - There is a rumor current in railroad circles ... that because the Fall Brook refuses to accept the Central Hudson's offer of $10,000,000 for the Magee road, that the latter is being gradually but severally punished by the Vanderbilt line. The rumor is probably without foundation. (Ovid Independent)

February 7, 1897 - Fall Brook Railroad passenger train #1 ran into a huge tree which had rolled down the mountain and out onto the track this afternoon at Woodhouse, PA. The engine was thrown across the track and the train rolled down a twelve-foot embankment into bed of Pine Creek. (Washington Post)

spacer After George J. Magee

March 12, 1897 - Gen. George J. Magee, President of the Fall Brook Railway Company, died yesterday at Nice, France, aged fifty-seven years. Accompanied by his family he was on his way to Egypt in search of health. (NYT)

March 16, 1897 - General Magee was the head and front of vast coal and railroad interests, which are so carefully incorporated that his death will in no wise interfere with them, The coal mines and railroads are valued at millions, and mostly owned by the Magee estates. It may be now that the Vanderbilt interests will get control of it, but the sales and settlements will make ample provisions for the General's heirs, should a division ever occur ... His death will prove a severe loss to Corning and Watkins, where most of his interests were centered, and where most of his time was spent. (Geneva Times)

March 19, 1897 - The locomotives on the Fall Brook railway were draped in black last Friday as a token of honor and respect for the road's late president, Gen. Geo. J. Magee. (Geneva Gazette)

April 9, 1897 - At a meeting of the directors of the Fall Brook Railway Co., held April 7, Col. John Magee was elected President to succeed his lamented father, and his cousin, Duncan F. Ellsworth, was elected Secretary, succeeding Col. Magee thus promoted. (Geneva Gazette)

August 11, 1897 -- A few days ago, there were thirty-one crews of men running trains on the Fall Brook railways exclusive of the regular passenger trains. It is said that it was a red letter day in the freight business.
NYC&H advertises SPECIAL LIMITED MAIL train daily (sleeping car passengers only) from Grand Central Station for points on the Fall Brook, via Lyons, and points west. (Wellsboro Agitator)

October 15, 1897 - By the breaking of a "shoe" on one of the wheels of a coal car on the Fallbrook R. R. this morning several cars were thrown from the track at the point where the Fall Brook tracks cross the Geneva & Seneca Falls Electric Railroad, completely blocking traffic over both lines for several hours. No one was injured. (Geneva Gazette)

November 26, 1897 - An electric light plant is being put in at Dundee. It will extend eastward to the Fall Brook Depot (Geneva Advertiser)

December 15, 1897 - The Fall Brook Railway Company is short of cars to transport its freight. The traffic has steadily increased of late. (Wellsboro Agitator)

December 20, 1897 - Fall Brook Superintendent George R. Brown, of Corning, has verified the report that an arrangement had been made between the Fall Brook and Erie railroads, whereby the Erie is to run through merchandise and coal freight trains with its own locomotives over the Fall Brook railroad from Corning to Newberry Junction, Pa., there to connect with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad ... "Erie engines and cabooses will be used, but Fall Brook crews will man the trains. The trains will be run on the Fall Brook numbers and be under Fall Brook control. The new arrangement will be effective December 1." Mr. Brown said it was not yet definitely known how many trains would be run by the Erie, as that would be a matter governed by the amount of business. However, the business is assured of being large enough already to warrant the running of a number of trains which will mean an increased business activity for Corning in more ways than one. (Elmira Telegram)

February 9, 1898 - A wreck occurred on the Fall Brook at 2 Thursday morning near Blue Stone which is the first station south of Cammals. Extra train 43 plunged into train 69 which had come to a stand still at Blue Stone ... The wreck was caused by the operator at Blackwells reporting train 69 as not having passed that station, which it had done on time, and the dispatcher sent train 43 against 69 with the above result. (Corning Journal)

February 23, 1898 - Mrs. George J. Magee, Miss Emma M. Magee and Master Magee, of Watkins, N.Y., left Thursday for California. They .. travel by special train, visiting the principal places of interest in the west, on the Pacific coast, and on the return will make stops at Salt Lake City, Manitou Springs, Glenwood Springs, Denver, etc. (Corning Journal)

March 10, 1898 - The Beech Creek railroad the past year delivered to the Reading and Fall Brook railroad over 4,000,000 tons of coal and coke besides lumber and other freight. (Watkins Express)

March 31, 1898 - Commencing about April 1st, six of the youngest engineers on the Fall Brook will be reduced to firing for the present. This move will be taken to enable the older men to make better time. Similar changes will also be made among conductors and brakemen. (Watkins Express)

April 9, 1898 - A story comes from Corning to the effect that the Erie Railroad is negotiating with the Fall Brook Coal company for the purchase of one of their coal mines, located on a mountain opposite Antrim, Pa, says the Rochester Herald. Recently Anton Hardt, general superintendent of the Fall Brook coal lines at Antrim, met an agent of the Erie railroad by appointment and together the three men went over the mine and gave it a thorough inspection. (Elmira Daily Gazette)

April 20, 1898 - The Fall Brook Railroad Company last year carried 176,978 passengers, and 3,031,973 tons of freight at a net revenue of nearly $435,000. ... the number of employees was 475 and the amount of wages paid $258, 680.76. (Corning Journal)

May 4, 1898 - Near Blackwells on the Pine Creek Division of the Fall Brook Railroad, a passenger train ran into three hand-cars containing Italian track laborers ... the train was extra south bound passenger train No. 42 from Wellsboro to Williamsport ... the laborers had left an Italian up the track to act as flagman, and he stopped the extra and was asked what was the matter. He couldn't speak English.. the trainmen supposed he meant the working gang had gone on down to Blackwells so the train steamed on, soon crushing into the Italians ... Engineer Dunn was so unnerved by the accident, which was his first, that he left the cab and let the fireman run the train to Williamsport. (Corning Journal)

June 2, 1898 - The Fall Brook round house at Dresden was burned on Thursday last, and engine 40 and a quantity of implements were in the wreck. (Watkins Express)

June 8, 1898 - Each year the Fall Brook Railroad Company awards a cash premium of $60 to each coal and freight conductor whose services have been satisfactory to the Company. Such an award has just been made for the year ending May 31, 1898, and premiums amounting to $2,280 have been awarded to thirty-eight conductors. (Corning Journal

August 24, 1898 - Mr. John Lang, Vice President of the Fall Brook Railway, died at ... Block Island. Deceased was about 72 years old and had been prominently identified with the Fall Brook Railway Company from its early History (Corning Journal)

August 25, 1898 - Upon the organization in 1859 of the Fall Brook Coal Company, Mr. Lang was made its treasurer ... Mr. Lang's rise to more influential positions was rapid and deserved until at the time of his death he was the first vice-president of the Fall Brook Coal Company, first vice-president of the Fall Brook Railway Company, president of the Chest Creek Land and Improvement Company, of Cambria and Clearfield counties in Pennsylvania, trustee of the estate of John Magee, and director or official in several minor corporations. (Watkins Express)

August 29, 1898 - The Fall Brook Railway company has elected Daniel Beach, First Vice President in place of John Lang, deceased. (NYT)

September 1, 1898 - The Geneva Times says that the New York Central and Fall Brook Railroads are to build a new union depot in that city. It will be a large and handsome structure, to be built of Wisconsin grey sandstone and to be finished in polished quartered oak. (Watkins Express)

September 15, 1898 - William Howell, the well-known paymaster and general manager of the mines at Antrim, will move his family to Corning next month. At the recent meeting of the Fall Brook Coal Company, Mr. Howell was elected treasurer of the company to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Lang, of Watkins. (Watkins Express)

October 5, 1898 - Probably the most disastrous wreck that occurred on the Fall Brook road, on the Jersey Shore division, happened last evening about 6:10 o'clock when a Beech Creek coal train, north bound, coming at full speed, dashed into the Fall Brook local, south bound, about a mile below Linden. The Beech Creek engine was thrown from the track and knocked over on its right side, while the Fall Brook engine was thrown from the tracks but did not sustain such serious damage. About four cars were piled up against the Beech Creek engine ... the cause of the wreck lies between one of the Fall Brook trains ... The Fall Brook engine was named "Pine Creek" No. 39, and the Beech Creek was one of the new engines recently purchased, No. 56. (Williamsport Sun)

October 25, 1898 - The Fall Brook Company has posted notices forbidding bicyclists to ride in their yard. (Corning Journal)

January 3, 1899 - An electric clock has been placed in the Fall Brook railroad station at Jersey Shore, Pa. The clock is run entirely by an electric current, which rewinds it every hour. (Williamsport Sun)

January 18, 1899 - Fall Brook passenger No. 6 was wrecked at Pine Station on the Pine Creek division between Blackwells and Tiadaghton ... as the train was running at usual speed a huge tree, uprooted by the high wind, came tearing down the mountain side and shot underneath the tender, knocking the train off the track ... no lives were lost ... the Fall Brook company still has a clean record of never having killed a passenger on its line. (Corning Journal)

February 15, 1899 - The cold weather was severe enough and the snow deep enough yesterday to have caused a blizzard in this section ... The Fall Book lines were not snowbound last night, but all Fall Brook trains, except those carrying passengers were annulled for the reason that the Fall Brook connecting lines were tied up and had given notice they would not receive any freight. There is no means of telling how long this state of affairs will continue, (Corning Journal)

spacer The Vanderbilts and The Final Months

February 20, 1899 - Corning Excited Over Rumors Concerning the Fall Brook - It is announced on presumably authentic authority that the Fall Brook Railroad, of which Colonel John Magee, of Watkins, is president, and which has its general offices in this city, will be absorbed by the Vanderbilts very shortly, and will therefore merge itself into the New York Central railroad system. The change will be effective April 1st, and it is said the Central-Hudson Railroad Company has perfected a lease for 999 years from that time. A similar report gained currency a few years ago [see December 6, 1896] through the press, but although it did not materialize, it was claimed that this change would never go in effect so long as General George Magee lived and was president of the Fall Brook railroad.
Since then he died while visiting in Nice, France, and it is claimed that his son, Colonel John Magee, who succeeded him as president, has at least consented to this change. Furthermore it is believed what has hastened the change is the fact of the death of the late John Lang, of Watkins, vice-president of the Fall Brook company, following so soon after the death of the president, General George Magee.
(Elmira Gazette)

February 22, 1899 - The Fall Brook railroad has ever been one of the most important factors in the prosperity of Corning. It is said that over eight hundred hands are on the payroll in this city, and a large wages are paid the amount distributed here monthly is upwards of $50,800, and perhaps more. Fall Brook "pay day" has been recognized as a "great institution" both by those who are paid and by the merchants and storekeepers to whom a large share of the money goes in liquidation of living expenses. (Corning Journal)

February 23, 1899 - While no lease has yet been signed the terms are practically agreed upon and the final papers will in all probability be executed to take effect May 1st, 1899. On that date the New York Central is to take possession of all three roads, the Fall Brook, the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning, and the Pine Creek, and thus to extend the Central system from Lyons to and over the Beech Creek Railroad in central Pennsylvania. (Watkins Express)

February 23, 1899 - The passing of the Fall Brook Railroad under the control of the New York Central will probably make very little difference with Watkins, though it seems not unlikely that before long the Watkins station may be at the Glen Pavilion and the other abandoned in the interest of economy. It is even possible that excursion travel to the Glen will be stimulated when the great Central system reaches our village. As for Corning, it can scarcely fail to be a heavy blow for the Crystal City, though it will not all be felt at once ... the transaction is none the less a signal triumph for Colonel Magee and his advisors. The lease does not include the valuable Fall Brook mines which will remain in the Magee family ... the final telegrams passing between Samuel E. Wilkinson, Esq., general counsel for the New York Central, and Daniel Beach, Esq., representing the Fall Brook Company, the gentlemen by whom the terms of this important transfer were arranged. (Watkins Express)

February 26, 1899 - Colonel John Magee, president of the Fall Brook Railway company, arrived in the city this morning from is southern trip, but would not be interviewed on the change of the system, whereby the Central people are to assume control. (Elmira Morning Telegram)


News Story
March 1, 1899

March 1, 1899 - The Corning Democrat says that neighborhood is very gloomy over the prospect of a change in the ownership of the Fall Brook Railway. "The loss will be a severe one to the city in both social and business circles, and if the shops are to be moved, the financial loss will be incalculable." (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 1, 1899 - While no papers have yet been signed, the terms are practically agreed upon and the final papers will in all probability be executed to take effect May 1st, 1999. On that date the New York Central is to take possession of all three roads, the Fall Brook, the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning, and the Pine Creek, and thus to extend the Central system from Lyons to and over the Beech Creek railroad to central Pennsylvania ... the final telegrams passed between Samuel E. Wilkinson, Esq., general counsel for the New York Central, and Daniel Beach, Esq., representing the Fall Brook Company, the gentlemen by whom the terms of this important transfer were arranged. (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 2, 1899 - "Some of the reports of the leasing of the Fall Brook railway to the New York Central are substantially correct, although the lease has not been consummated as yet. But in case it does go through, I do not see where it will affect Corning to the slightest extent. Undoubtedly there will be some changes ... certainly the shops will not be moved from Corning, at least not for some years to come. Rather than being an injury to the city, I think it will be more or less of a benefit, but that is something for the future to determine." ( Col. John Magee quoted in the Watkins Express)

March 22, 1899 - Notice has been issued for the meeting of the stockholders of the Fall Brook Railway Company to be held ... "for the purpose of considering and approving a contract for the use and lease of this Company's railroad to the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company for the term of 999 years from the 1st day of May, 1899," and for the termination of the leases of the railroad of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning Railway Company, and the railroad of the Pine Creek Railway Company. Thus by April 27 the contract previously made for the lease of the Fall Brook railways to the New York Central will be formally ratified by the Fall Brook stockholders, and from May 1, the New York Central company will be in full possession and control of the roads named.

March 23, 1899 - Our villagers will be glad to learn that Col. Magee is still to retain the presidency of the railroad from Lyons to Williamsport ... Col. Magee and Mr. A. S. Stothoff will both be members of the new board, and as such must necessarily retain a little stock. (Watkins Express)

spacerfrom a Geneva Chamber of Commerce pamphlet, 'Geneva on Seneca Lake' by Frank Taylor and 
published in 1902
'Geneva on Seneca Lake' by Frank Taylor
published in 1902 by Geneva Chamber of Commerce

April 1, 1899 - New York Central representatives J. J. Kelly, S. A. Crone, C. Morgan, C. I. Marvin, M. L. Bacon, and C. E. Patterson, of New York, A. Ames, of Albany, J. Taylor, of Canandaigua, and G. H. Hazleton, of Depew, are in Corning taking inventory of the Fall Brook railroad, which has recently gone into the control of the Central-Hudson. The work will take considerable time to accomplish. W. H. Northrup, of Corning, general passenger agent of the Fall Brook railroad, has been appointed to a similar position with the Beech Creek railroad, so that his duties after to-day will be to handle the passenger service of the Fall Brook and Beech Creek roads, which are owned by the Vanderbilts. He will have his headquarters at Williamsport, Pa., in place of Corning. Mr. Northrup is now filling his second term as alderman for Corning." (Elmira Telegram)

April 5, 1899 - Last Monday the car "John" carried a party of New York Central and Fall Brook Railway officials to this place and over the Pine Creek road, to take an inventory of the stations, section houses and other property which is soon to change ownership. (Wellsboro Agitator)

April 13, 1899 - Now that the New York Central Railroad is to operate the Fall Brook, it is stated that "the car repairing building and round house on the Auburn road at Canandaigua are to be moved to Geneva, which will make Geneva a more important connecting point. The Fall Brook will be placed in the western division of the New York Central, thus placing it under the supervision of Mr. Bradfield." (Watkins Express)

April 19, 1899 - The name "Fall Brook Railway Company" will soon pass out of general use. The days of its active existence are few ... the stockholders of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company will meet at New York to arrange the final details in connection with the absorption of the Fall Brook System. (Corning Journal)

April 19, 1899 - There is strong reason to believe that the purchase of the Fall Brook lines of railroad and the property of the Company by the N. Y. Central R. R. Co. will be of material benefit to Corning. The new owners have been enterprising in the pursuit of business. The corporation is one of great wealth as well as enterprise. (Corning Journal)

April 20, 1899 - Yesterday the New York Central & Hudson River railroad in session in New York to arrange the final details in connection with the absorption of the Fall Brook Railroad company. The contracts for leasing the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning, the Fall Brook and Pine Creek railways were to be approved and signed. The contract term will be 999 years from May 1, 1899.
Yesterday afternoon the stockholders (who) will complete the deal by terminating their lease of the Syracuse, Geneva & Corning railway were in session here, for the consideration of the lease of the road to the Central. (On) April 27th the Fall Brook stockholders will complete the deal by terminating their lease of the roads mentioned and approving a contract for the use and lease of the entire Fall Brook railroad to the New York Central & Hudson River company. (Elmira Gazette)

April 20, 1899 - Lyons is to become the division station of what will soon be known as the Pennsylvania Division of the New York Central system. At present Lyons is the end of a Fall Brook division beginning at Corning. As the division station, therefore, Lyons will take on much of the dignity and importance which are now Coming's. Besides this the Pennsylvania division of the New York Central will prove to be a somewhat different feature of the railroad world than the Fall Brook now is or ever was. It will be ever was. It will be vastly, more important both in freight and passenger traffic.
Corning is to fall from its place as chief of Fall Brook or Pennsylvania division points and Lyons will be the greatest gainer by her decline. The other place to be advanced is Williamsport, Pa., which will be the terminus of the Lyons division. The two divisions, now reaching from Lyons to Williamsport, with Corning in the middle as the starting point of both, will be merged into one long division of 165 miles. The crews of all trains on both divisions now live at Corning. Those running to Lyons stay at the terminus only a few hours, or perhaps over night in some instances. After May 1st, however, Lyons will become the home of these engineers, firemen, conductors, trainmen, brakemen and baggage men. There are about ten crews to be thus affected when the new order of things begins and there is an excellent prospect for more.
It is said that the coal carrying trade will be doubled perhaps. The mines tapped by the Beach Creek and Pine Creek roads have long been owned by the Central system and it is a fact that of late shipments of coal over the Fall Brook have not been equal to the output of which the mines in question are capable.
A further increase in the volume of freight will result from the Central reserving for its own line all western shipments for Philadelphia and other points now being transferred to the Pennsylvania railroad at Canandaigua. After May 1st freight so billed will go via Lyons. A new passenger service will also be inaugurated. There will be through cars from Chicago to Philadelphia via Lyons and Geneva, in competition with the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania systems. The finest flyers will effect quick and direct connection between Philadelphia and the north and west.
The large shops and general offices of the Fall Brook (at Corning) are to be abandoned. The Central company of course find them superfluous. A portion of the shop work will be transferred to Lyons, while construction work for the leased line will be done in the company's plants at Depew. The officers will be absorbed by the New York Central headquarters. Increased yard room at Lyons will soon be necessary and the work of extension is now being planned. (Elmira Gazette)

April 20, 1899 - The repair shops at Corning will be abandoned and the crews at Corning, about 200 in all, will be transferred to Lyons. Corning is thus in a bad way. (Watkins Express)

April 21, 1899 - A number of operating officials of the New York Central including George H. Hazleton, assistant superintendent of motive power, with headquarters at Depew, have been making an inspection trip over the Fall Brook system, recently acquired by the Central. They found the roadbed and rolling stock in good condition, but some improvements may have to be made for the operations of heavy machinery. The car repairing building and round house of the Auburn road at Canandaigua is to be moved to Geneva and this will make Geneva a more important connecting point. The Fall Brook will be placed in the Western Division of the New York Central, thus placing it under the supervision of Mr. Bradfield. (Buffalo Commercial quoted in the Canaseraga Times)

April 26, 1899 - It is stated that the Auditor's Office, and the Traffic Department of the Fall Brook Railway Company will be removed to the New York Central offices in New York, May 1st, and that several Corning clerks will go with them. (Corning Journal)

spacer New York Central Takes Control

May 1, 1899 - The New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company assumed control of its new Pennsylvania Division today. The division includes the Fall Brook and Beech Creek Roads, which connect with the Central at Lyons and the Philadelphia and Reading at Williamsport, and also are the outlets for the coalfields of Clearfield and Tioga Counties in Pennsylvania. The new division adds 412 miles to the Central's trackage. The Central officials are now inspecting the road. (NYC)

May 1, 1899 - The owners of the Fall Brook Railway in exchange for their property have received from the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company bonds to the amount of $5,000,000, bearing interest at 3-1/2 percent for 999 years, the principal sum to be non-payable. This means an annual income of $175,000. (Corning Journal)

May 4, 1899 - The Fall Brook Railroad is a thing of the past, but its record as an excellently managed railroad will live after it, for it goes out of business after its life of forty years with the unusual distinction of never having killed a passenger. (Watkins Express)

May 5, 1899 - "Ichabod" is written on Fall Brook "its glory has departed." Men who have lived there for 40 years, and who ought to know, say that this year will wind up the lumber operations. It is estimated that there are about 900 tons of bark left and it will be taken this year. As to the amount of coal left, men differ. There are about 70 miners there, and men in whom we have confidence, because they ought to know what they are talking about, say that if these 70 men were given steady work they would exhaust the coal in a year. (Blossburg Advertiser)

May 17, 1899 - Last Sunday morning the hotel at Fall Brook was destroyed by fire, with a large part of its contents. (Wellsboro Agitator)

May 18, 1899 - The New York Central and the Fall Brook car shops at Lyons have been consolidated. (Watkins Express)

May 25, 1899 - Steel rails are being laid on the Pennsylvania Division of the Central, - the Fall Brook, from Dundee south towards Watkins station. (Watkins Express)

June 28, 1899 - We have always understood that the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Co. was as liberal in its treatment of employees as any Trunk line railroad. The manner in which the Company has been operating in Corning, since May 1, does not warrant praise. Numerous capable and worthy employees have been "turned out to grass," although long in service. The policy seems to be to drive out all of the men who may be called old, and to run things on a cheap basis. (Corning Journal)

July 26, 1899 - There is considerable dissatisfaction at several small stations on the former S. G. & C. Division of the Fall Brook Railroad, now the Pennsylvania Division of the New York Central, because all express trains do not stop as formerly. This is the case at Billsboro, Angus and Earle's, near Geneva. The stops at Angus have been abandoned entirely. The people are up in arms and threaten to enforce certain contracts which they allege were made when the S. G. & C. Division was built and which will make trouble for the road now. The Central people find they cannot stop their fast trains at all stations and make their schedule on time. (Corning Journal)

August 16, 1899 - The Pennsylvania Division of the New York Central is said to be doing the heaviest business the line has done in years. (Corning Journal)

August 30, 1899 - Fall Brook's miners on August 18th laid down their tools. (Wellsboro Agitator)

August 31, 1899 - On the Fall Brook division of the N. Y. C. Railway the 200 bridges are being painted black. (Watkins Express)

September 28, 1899 - The Geneva Advertiser finds that "it was a mistake on the part of Geneva to permit the Fall Brook railroad to construct its tracks along our entire lake front, thus cutting us off entirely from the water. We can readily see now what was not to be seen at the time. Just as good a route through the then village could have been obtained away from the lake. But there's no use in talking about it now. The thing is done." (Watkins Express)

October 15, 1899 - ... Geneva is to have a new station. The Central and Fall Brook passenger stations are within 200 feet of each other and it is now the intention of the railroad authorities to build a structure which will contain the station, offices and room for both divisions. The old freight house and passenger station of the Fall brook division will be torn down. (Syracuse Sunday Herald)

October 18, 1899 - The New York Central Railroad Company has applied to the authorities of Geneva for permission to double track its line in that city ... In reply to the question as to the extent of the double-tracking, Supt. Palmer, as quoted by the Geneva Times, said he believed it was the intention of the Company to double track the entire line. The Superintendent announced that the Company intended to build a new station at Geneva to accommodate the Pennsylvania Division and the "Auburn Road." (Corning Journal)

October 26, 1899 - Most of the Fall Brook locomotives, baggage cars and passenger coaches, as such have disappeared. They have been painted the regulation Central-Hudson colors. The name "Fall Brook" on them has given way to that of the Central-Hudson. Those not yet repainted will be shopped and altered as rapidly as possible. (Watkins Express)

October 27, 1899 - The Mansfield Advertiser says that henceforth Fall Brook will not figure among the mining towns of this county. It has been abandoned by the new owners, presumably for all time. The few people remaining there are moving away. (Wellsboro Agitator)

November 15, 1899 - (from Monday's Daily Journal - There was a bad wreck on the New York Central Railroad at Lindley, a dozen miles south of Corning. Train 49, northbound, and the second section of train 87, southbound, met in a head-on collision --- the Central officials say that the wreck was due to the negligence of the crew of train 42, who failed to regard their orders. (Corning Journal)

November 16, 1899 - The town of Fall Brook is all but deserted. The store has been closed, the mines shut down for good, and the superintendent, Mr. Heron, has moved to Blossburg. The houses are being torn down and sold for $5 each. Fall Brook was once a leading mining town of the county, with a population of over 2,000. Some say that there is plenty of mineral wealth there yet, and that the place will be reopened. (Watkins Express)

August 23, 1900 - The water famine along the Beech Creek and Fall Brook divisions of the New York Central Railroad is constantly growing worse. Engines "dead" for want of water, to which long trains are attached, have been so numerous of late as to make the sight no longer a novelty. They can be encountered anywhere, some being so unfortunate as to be left standing on the main tracks, not being able to reach a siding. (Watkins Express)

August 23, 1900 - The Fall Brook Railroad, under the management of Col.. Magee, as under the management of his father, was famed throughout the land for its generous treatment of employes (sic), and that both father and son found pleasure in continual acts of unostentatious kindness to people in need. (Watkins Express)

September 5, 1900 - Under the management of the Fall Brook Railway Company, the freight traffic over the line from Geneva to Williamsport was so large that there was talk of double-tracking the road. The Fall Brook had the distinction of doing the largest freight business of any single track road in the country, and its magnitude amazed practical railroad men everywhere. (Wellsboro Agitator)

February 1, 1901 "Is the Fall Brook Rallroad a 'hoo-doo' to the New York Central management?" is a question that many railroad men down the state are asking. Hard luck seems to have come to the Pennsylvania branch since its absorption by the Vanderbilt interests. There has been no end of worry and vexation during the two years which have elapsed since the Fall Brook was added to the New York Central system, and was designated as the Pennsylvania division of that corporation.
Causes are not explainable. Thoroughly competent officials have been placed in its charge, but wrecks have been of frequent occurrence and bad luck has been the rule rather than the exception.
The history of the Fall Brook is interesting. The road was built into the wilds of Northern Pennsylvania by the late John Magee, to provide an outlet for the product of his extensive coal lands in Fall Brook, Arnot and other points. It is said to have been the chief wish of Mr. Magee that the Magee name should always be paramount in the control of the road.
His son, the late Gen. Magee, checkmated the Vanderbilts at every move they made in after years, trying to force him to sell or lease his road to them, and beat them at every turn; and every man working on the road, under the Magees, from track walker to general superintendent, took pride in the fact that they were working for the Fall Brook road.
The sudden demise of Gen. Magee at Nice, France, a few years ago, changed affairs very materially for the Fall Brook, as the plans of Gen. Magee were not wholly completed, regarding the future of the road, so that when his son, Col. John Magee, succeeded him as president, there were many intricate problems left for him to solve. Col. Magee finally thought that the best interests would be served by leasing the road to the Vanderbilts for a period of 999 years, which was done by a vote of the stockholders a few years after Gen. Magee's death.
Rumors of late have been rife that the Vanderbilts were arranging to give the road back into the hands of Col. John Magee of Watkins, before very long. These rumors are seen in print almost every day, and many contain more truth than poetry, though they are denied by those in a position to know. What lends an air of truthfulness to the report, however, is the fact that George R. Brown, formerly general superintendent of the Fall Brook, and right hand bower of the Magees, has refrained from expressing himself on the New York Central's management of the Fall Brook, until a couple of days ago, when he came out in a spicy interview, giving some caustic remarks on the directors of the Central's Pennsylvania division. It is believed that he will be put in active control if Col. Magee takes back the road.
The Magees grew up with the road and know it by heart, and with a manager like George Brown, would make it pay big dividends. George R. Brown, at present second vice-president and general manager of the New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, has said he would be willing to go back on the Fall Brook under Magee, when he would be in full control of all departments. (The Buffalo Enquirer)

December 18, 1903 - L. B. Manning, one of Corning's well known residents, died Sunday evening ... The deceased was 70 years old, and for many years was an engineer ... During the Fall Brook regine, before the New York Central absorbed it, he was engineer on the private engine of General Magee, known as the "John." (Steuben Courier)

May 4, 1904 - As a forerunner of the important changes which the New York Central Railroad Company intends making in the running of trains of the Pennsylvania division through this city [Geneva], came the announcement this morning that the station, as well as the operator’s room will be discontinued, on and after this day, and that all of the business will hereafter be transacted on the Auburn branch of the road. The waiting-room, at the Fall Brook station was also closed and trains on that road are being announced from the old Auburn Road station. Edward Mouer and Simon Fennell, the two operators employed at the Fall Brook station received word that the station here has been discontinued and that for the present they were relieved from duty. Both men will undoubtedly be transferred to other stations.(Geneva Daily Times)

1901 ScheduleApril 1, 1909 - The three leased railroads, Fall Brook, Pine Creek, and the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning were merged to form the Geneva, Corning and Southern Railroad, which was controlled by the New York Central.

May 17, 1911 - Messrs. George England and James Heron (former Manager of the Fall Brook railroad), of Blossburg, have purchased the Fall Brook mines and other property, and will operate on an extensive scale. Years ago Fall Brook was one of the leading coal towns in Tioga county, but the mines were abandoned and the railroad taken up. Now it is reported that the railroad will be rebuilt on the old grading. (Wellsboro Agitator)

March 10, 1948 - Corning is never to suffer because of the New York Central's increasing purchase and use of diesels to replace steam locomotives ... Corning is too important a terminal to be eliminated in any way by the New York Central ... the mechanical forces at Corning instead of decreasing with the advent of diesels, will necessarily increase because there is more work generally required to to keep diesel engines in tip top shape than there is on steam engines. (Corning Evening Leader)

November, 1988 - On October 7th (1988) at 9:00 a.m., two Conrail trains, XEL-26 and ENSY-7, met for the last time at block limit station GRAND as the much-rumored abandonment of the 63-mile southern end of the Corning Secondary was affected. The trackage between Wellsboro, Pa., south of Corning, N.Y., and Jersey Shore, Pa, negotiates the banks of Pine Creek through what is known as the "Grand Canyon of the East." Originally built in the late 1800’s as the Fall Brook Coal Company Railroad, the line soon came under New York Central & Hudson River Railroad reign and served as a coal hauler right until the end, as CR XEL-26 was a train of empty hoppers returning to the mines. (Railpace News Magazine)

 

Many thanks to our contributors.

Several of these items were reprinted from the WJ Telegram, the newsletter of the Tioga Transportation Society. Richard Palmer has also provided some of the most interesting items.

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