Published: July 18, 2024
By: Adam Burns
The South Buffalo Railway was established in 1899, with the primary purpose of serving the steel industry in the Buffalo region.
The railway was closely tied to the Lackawanna Steel Company, later known as Bethlehem Steel, one of the largest steel producers in the United States.
The creation of the SBRR was essential for the transportation of raw materials to the steel plant and the distribution of finished steel products to various markets.
Expansion and Growth
During the early 20th century, Buffalo emerged as an industrial powerhouse due to its strategic location near the Great Lakes and its proximity to major transportation routes.
The SBRR expanded its network to accommodate this industrial boom, constructing tracks that connected the steel plant to other major railroads and shipping hubs.
The railway's expansion included purchasing additional rail lines and building new infrastructure.
This growth facilitated efficient movement of materials such as iron ore, coal, and limestone, which were vital for steel production.
The SBRR played an instrumental role in supporting the steel industry's needs, contributing to the economic prosperity of the Buffalo area.
The mid-20th century brought significant challenges to the South Buffalo Railway. The decline of the American steel industry hit Buffalo hard, leading to reduced production and eventual closures of key steel plants. The Bethlehem Steel plant, once a bustling center of activity, faced dwindling operations and financial difficulties.
This decline directly impacted the SBRR, which experienced a decrease in the volume of freight it carried. The railway had to adapt to changing economic conditions, seeking new ways to remain viable and continue serving its customers.
To cope with the decline of the steel industry, the South Buffalo Railway diversified its operations. The railway began transporting a broader range of commodities, including chemicals, aggregates, and other industrial materials. This strategic move allowed the SBRR to tap into new markets and reduce its dependence on the steel industry.
Additionally, the railway invested in modernization efforts, upgrading its infrastructure and rolling stock to improve efficiency and service reliability. These changes positioned the SBRR to better compete in the evolving transportation landscape.
In 2001, the South Buffalo Railway was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W), a prominent railroad holding company known for its extensive portfolio of short line railroads. Under G&W's ownership, the SBRR benefitted from increased investment and access to a broader network of resources and expertise.
Today, the South Buffalo Railway provides a range of services to meet the needs of its customers. These services include:
1. **Railcar Switching**: The SBRR offers efficient railcar switching services within industrial complexes and terminals. This service enables seamless movement of railcars between different tracks and facilities, ensuring timely deliveries.
2. **Freight Transportation**: The railway continues to transport a variety of commodities, including scrap metal, bulk materials, and chemical products. The diversification of its freight portfolio has helped the SBRR maintain steady business despite changes in the industrial landscape.
3. **Interchange Services**: The SBRR connects with several Class I railroads, including CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern. These interchange services facilitate the transfer of goods to and from the national rail network, expanding the reach of the SBRR's operations.
4. **Transloading**: The railway offers transloading services, allowing customers to transfer goods between trucks and railcars. This service provides flexibility in transportation options and extends the SBRR's capability to handle diverse cargo types.
The South Buffalo Railway maintains a robust infrastructure to support its operations. Key components of the railway's infrastructure include:
1. **Rail Network**: The SBRR operates over 50 miles of track, primarily concentrated in the industrial areas of Buffalo and Lackawanna. This network includes mainline tracks, yards, and sidings that facilitate efficient routing and storage of railcars.
2. **Yards and Terminals**: The railway's primary yard, known as the Buffalo Creek Yard, is a central hub for sorting and organizing railcars. Additional terminals and facilities provide spaces for loading, unloading, and storage of goods.
3. **Rolling Stock**: The SBRR's fleet includes a mix of locomotives and railcars designed to handle various types of freight. The railway has invested in modern, fuel-efficient locomotives to enhance operational performance and reduce environmental impact.
Model Type | Builder | Road Number(s) | Serial Number | Completion Date | Original Owner/Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SW1500 | EMD | 4 | 33286 | 10/1967 | RF&P #4. |
SW1500 | EMD | 5-6 | 4608-65, 4608-68 | 6/1972 | Southern Pacific #2655, #2658. |
SW1500 | EMD | 7 | 33289 | 10/1967 | RF&P #7. |
MP15 | EMD | 8 | 74641 | 6/1972 | Reading #2771. |
MP15 | EMD | 19-20 | 75627-1, 75627-2 | 8/1975 | Cambria & Indiana Railroad #19-20. |
SW1200 | EMD | 30-31 | 29642-29643 | 12/1964, 2/1965 | Southern Pacific #1601-1602. |
SW1200 | EMD | 32 | 30245 | 7/1965 | Southern Pacific #1613. |
SW1200 | EMD | 33 | 30242 | 5/1965 | Southern Pacific #1610. |
SW9 | EMD | 34-37 | 6555-6558 | 3/1952 | Ex-Cambria & Indiana Railroad #34-37. |
SW1200 | EMD | 38 | 20415 | 6/1955 | Grand Trunk Western #1507. |
SW9 | EMD | 39 | 11165 | 6/1952 | Grand Trunk Western #7010. |
65DE19a | Whitcomb | 40-41 | 60337, 60348 | 10/1943 | U.S. Army #7967 and #7978. |
65DE19a | Whitcomb | 42-43 | 60449, 60464 | 1944 | U.S. Army #8443 and #8458. |
65DE19a | Whitcomb | 44 | 60474 | 1944 | U.S. Army #8468 |
65DE19a | Whitcomb | 45 | 60497 | 1945 | U.S. Army #8491. |
65DE19a | Whitcomb | 46 | 60472 | 1944 | U.S. Army #8466. |
S6 | Alco | 40 (2nd) - 41 (2nd) | 81420, 81719 | 11/1955, 4/1956 | Acquired new. |
S6 | Alco | 42 (2nd) - 45 (2nd) | 82293-82296 | 11/1956-1/1957 | Acquired new. |
HH600 | Alco | 48-49 | 68805-68806 | 8/1937 | Patapsco & Back Rivers #55-56. |
HH600 | Alco | 50 | 68795 | 4/1937 | Steelton & Highspire Railroad #31. |
SC | EMD | 51 | 617 | 11/1936 | Acquired new. |
SC | EMD | 52 | 618 | 11/1936 | Acquired new. |
S1 | Alco | 51 (2nd) | 69202 | 10/1940 | Acquired new. Renumbered 62. |
S1 | Alco | 52 (2nd) | 69384 | 12/1940 | Acquired new. Renumbered 63. |
SW7 | EMD | 50 (2nd) | 10392 | 4/1950 | Built as PRR #9368. |
SW7 | EMD | 51 (2nd) | 13068 | 1/1951 | Built as PRR #8866. |
SW7 | EMD | 52 (2nd) | 9952 | 1/1951 | Built as NYC #8913. |
SW7 | EMD | 53 (2nd) | 9950 | 1/1951 | Built as NYC #8911. |
HH600 | Alco | 54-59 | 68799, 68797-68798, 68796, 68800, 69047 | 6/1937-10/1937 | Acquired new. |
S1 | Alco | 60-61 | 69390, 69410 | 1/1941 | Acquired new. |
S1 | Alco | 63 (2nd) | 78709 | 12/1940 | Built as Nickel Plate #58. |
S2 | Alco | 64 | 76165 | 8/1948 | Built as RF&P #65 |
S2 | Alco | 65 | 76164 | 8/1948 | Built as RF&P #64. |
S4 | Alco | 66 | 78725 | 5/1951 | Bult as LV #166. |
S2 | Alco | 68 | 74493 | 7/1946 | Built as RF&P #58. |
S2 | Alco | 69 | 76169 | 9/1948 | Built as RF&P #69. |
HH600 | Alco | 70 | 68703 | 3/1937 | Built as Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England #207. |
S2 | Alco | 71 | 69212 | 8/1940 | Became slug #11. |
S2 | Alco | 72 | 69535 | 7/1941 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 73-74 | 69554, 69556 | 9/1941, 12/1942 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 75 | 74973 | 4/1947 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 76 | 75235 | 5/1947 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 77 | 75236 | 5/1947 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 78 | 73375 | 6/1945 | Built as Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England #261. |
S2 | Alco | 79-80 | 74983-74985 | 5/1947 | Built as Patapsco & Back Rivers #226-227. |
S2 | Alco | 81 | 75919 | 8/1948 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 82-83 | 76509-76510 | 11/1948-12/1948 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 84 | 76511 | 12/1948 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 85-86 | 77060, 78009 | 3/1950, 6/1950 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 87-89 | 78010-78012 | 6/1950 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 90-91 | 78013-78014 | 6/1950 | Acquired new. |
S4 | Alco | 92-95 | 78824-78827 | 8/1951 | Acquired new. |
S4 | Alco | 96-97 | 79518-79519 | 1/1952 | Acquired new. |
S4 | Alco | 98-99 | 79787, 80063 | 7/1952 | Acquired new. |
S2 | Alco | 100-103 | 74329, 74335, 74345, 74346 | 9/1945-11/1945 | Built as Delaware & Hudson #3004, #3007, #3009-3010 |
S2 | Alco | 104-107 | 70071, 76764, 69882, 69953 | 9/1944, 5/1949, 11/1943, 9/1942 | Built as LV #164, #165, #159 and #151. |
S4 | Alco | 108 | 80940 | 11/1953 | Built as P&LE #8654. |
S4 | Alco | 109 | 80935 | 11/1953 | Built as P&LE #8649. |
S4 | Alco | 110 | 80936 | 11/1953 | Built as P&LE #8650. |
S4 | Alco | 111 | 80950 | 11/1953 | Built as P&LE #8664. |
The South Buffalo Railway's journey from its inception in 1899 to its present-day operations is a testament to its resilience and adaptability.
Through periods of industrial growth, decline, and diversification, the SBRR has remained a vital part of the Buffalo region's transportation infrastructure.
Today, under the ownership of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., the South Buffalo Railway continues to provide essential services, supporting local industries and contributing to the community's economic vitality.
With a commitment to sustainability and community engagement, the SBRR is well-positioned to navigate future challenges and opportunities.
Aug 23, 24 10:38 AM
Aug 23, 24 12:01 AM
Aug 22, 24 12:58 PM