(erielack) EL working the Buffalo DL&W Terminal area in 1971

["ronald" <rdukarm_@_adelphia.net>]

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List:

A number of reasons have been mentioned as to why the EL
moved passenger operations to East Buffalo's SK Yard from
the downtown DL&W terminal. Certainly cost was a major factor.

As early as 1950, the City set its site on redeveloping the old
Canal Street area and demolishing the slums and old industrial
buildings. It basically sought to redevop all the lands west of Main 
Street. This demolition started in earnest in 1951, in conjunction
with the new Skyway Bridge and New York State Thruway projects.
The NYC tracks were also relocated in 1951-52. Attached are two
photos showing some of the demolition.

In 1952 the City started construction of the massive Dante housing
project right next to the DL&W tracks leading to the coal dumper.
The City commissioned a study called the Harris Report which set
its sites on all of the DL&W properties west of Main Street. This 
included the lake freighthouse and coal dumper. Attached is a 
Buffalo News article dated 9-12-58 sumarizing the discussions with
the RR. Also a news photo of the housing project and highways.

Back in 1882, the main reason the DL&W located its operations
downtown was so it had access to the habor in oder to dump its
coal and ship and receive lake freight via its riverside freighthouse.
By 1958, coal shipments were steeply declining, as was 
package freight on the lakes. Along with this, many customers in
the immediate area were lost as industry was cleared away and
the riverfront was put to housing and recreational uses.

The City Branch was an expensive branch to maintain. It was completely
elevated and required the manning of a lift bridge over the Buffalo
River, in addition to another dozen viaducts. The Lackawanna also had
to man a swing bridge over the Evans Slip next to the coal docks and
maintain the extensive ramping at the passenger terminal.

The B&O had discontinued 
passenger operations and the NKP was seeking independence from the 
DL&W. In 1957 the DL&W opened a new freighthouse in East Buffalo
and this further lessened any relioence on the Columbia St freihthouse
downtown.

The DL&W wanted $2 million from the City to relocate the coal dumper
plus millions more for its track and lake freighthouse. The City did not
want to pay these funds and could see the writing on the wall. It waited
out the EL until coal traffic dwindled, the lake shipping almost disappeared
and on-line customers slowly were reduced on the branch. All these factors
converged, and the depot shut down in 1962, the freighthouse and dumper 
were shutdown about 1965.The DL&W also offered the dumper and 
freighthouse to the Port Authority, but they too failed to bite.

In 1960 Perry Shoemaker ordered that a study be made of all Lackawanna
properties, in view of the impending merger and to identify ways to raise
funds from lease or sale. Over 400 pieces of property were identified as
excess or underutilized. The Buffalo terminal was probably number one.

Ronald R. Dukarm  ELHS #532 ELHTS #66
rdukarm_@_adelphia.net

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