This is the story of several typical New York State shortlines, reprinted and updated from the 1978 edition. The life of a shortline railroad is precarious. A line paying handsome dividends one day can be out of business the next if its prize customer closes up shop. Of the railroads in this history, only one remains today-the Lowville and Beaver River Railroad. This book is a joint effort by Keith Maloney, William Gove, Richard Allen, and Richard Palmer, all of whom devoted many hours in extensive research. Great railroad book-great Adirondack book!

With over 400 high quality maps, plans, and photographs this book brings the subject to life, revealing all aspects of rail transportation and technology. It maps the spread of the networks across the country, showing the stations and important intersections, the layout and location of major bridges and tunnels, and much more. It examines railroad technology, from the early steam engines, through diesel and electric locomotives. It also details the building of stations, railroad constructions and factories that grew up around the railroad network. Social history is explored, covering the movement of people, farm produce and manufactured goods, giving a real insight into the role that rail transportation played.

"Here is a readable history of the railway's 30 years of existence -- its planning and construction, branch lines, methods of operation. Read about how it pioneered in novel equipment, watering wheels, heating feedwater in the stack, and being one of the first to use oil burning locomotives exclusively"-- book jacket.