Operation Rochester and State Line Railroad

in 1874, rochester , state line railroad connected rochester , le roy, although little traffic came or many small agricultural , industrial villages, great depression of 1873-1879. near end of depression, in 1878, railroad had reached salamanca, return prosperity eluded many.

the freight carried new line varied. initially, farm produce , lumber comprised revenue loads, , did not materially change until line reached salamanca. then, crude oil became dominant load, solid trains of tankers running north rochester. in end, did not carry significant quantities of coal, , figured in economic failure when oil business declined.

unlike standardization prevalent today, lines of 1870s used number of gauges, necessitating means of allowing interchange of rolling stock. rochester , state line railroad faced in salamanca @ interchange atlantic , great western railroad, six-foot gauge. ramsey car transfer device solved problem, although did little inconvenience until & g w saw light of reason , adopted standard 4 -8½ gauge.

like great many rail companies, r&sl experienced fiscal embarrassment time time. during construction of salamanca line, management devised means of protecting locomotives , cars tax collectors when taxes began accumulate. sold rolling stock themselves, removing tax collectors reach, selling equipment railroad when pressure eased.