New York Railroads

New York Railroads

SOUTH BUFFALO
RAILWAY

by Stephan M. Koenig

At one time it was considered the second largest railroad in New York State, a title for railroads operating within its borders. The South Buffalo was second to none in the role it played for Western New York and the world. When Lackawanna Steel decided to relocate its operations from Scranton, PA to the second largest inland port in the world in 1899 it was a bold vision for a steel company at that time. When relocating the plant became impractical, it was decided to build a new one from the ground up. To do this task, Lackawanna set out to explore every option available to insure that the plant would be operating at full capacity by 1903. To fulfill this goal it needed the support of a railroad that was independent of the problems and operating methods of the average common carrier and would focus on the needs of the company above all others. For the best interests of the company there was only one alternative.

Serving what later became the 3^rd largest steel mill in the United States, the South Buffalo Railway was a proud subsidiary of Lackawanna Steel and its successor, Bethlehem Steel. It was under Bethlehem Steel that the railroad maintained its uniqueness, a railroad designed to connect with all common carriers in the entire area. This flexibility allowed the steel company to take advantage of the many ways it could receive its raw material and expedite its products around the country and around the world. The Bethlehem Steel Plant went on to be one of the most highest producing mills in the world reaching 6 million ingot tons of steel in the 1950s.

The South Buffalo was the only one of the Bethlehem Steel railroads to adopt in mass, American Locomotive Company (ALCO) Locomotives. It would stay all ALCO for nearly 3 decades, before allowing them to be replaced with EMD models. The railroad also had a small amount of other interesting builders represented in its roster over the years. With the allowance of imported steel after 1964 the mill would continue a steady decline until it closed its steel making operations in 1983. Determined not to follow, the railroad stayed active and remained in the black while serving the remaining coke operations and new developments that came to the old plant site. Because of its success the railroad attracted many interested parties interested in acquiring it for their purposes. Through it all, it remained part of Bethlehem Steel until its sale the Genesee and Wyoming Industries (GWI) in 2001. The GWI Company has since sought to consolidate the South Buffalo into the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad, eliminating it forever.

The South Buffalo Railway book explores the history of the railroad, its role to the Lackawanna plant, and its development over the time period it was in Bethlehem Steel ownership. Take a look at quite possibly the most dynamic book to ever be written on one of the crown jewels of the steel and railroad industry, The South Buffalo Railway.

BOOK REVIEW - South Buffalo Railway, by Stephan M. Koenig. This is the story of a unique New York industrial short line. This eight-mile-long railroad served the greater Buffalo, NY area along the shores of Lake Erie. Serving the third-largest steel mill in America, it moved hundreds of thousands of tons of steel products for shipment all over the world. The book is extensively illustrated with photos of Lackawanna and Bethlehem Steel-owned railroad operations, including the mills own narrow gauge line. A complete steam and diesel roster is also included. This 120-page book contains great views of both steam and diesel operations. Book can be ordered direct from the author [$24.95, plus tax & shipping = $31.01 payable to author]: Stephan M. Koenig, 239 Crisfield Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14206-1957.

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