Monthly Archives: October 2008

It is with great sadness that we must report the untimely death, on October 4, 2008, of one of the Founding Fathers of the New York Central System Historical Society, Charles M. Smith. As its long-time president, Charlie was a … Continue reading →

The history of the Adirondack Division began before New York Central’s presence in the area. The narrow gauge Herkimer, Newport & Poland line had been built in 1882. William Seward Webb acquired this line, standard gauged it in 1891 and … Continue reading →

The Harlem Division can trace its roots all the way back to the original New York & Harlem Rail Road. The line was chartered by the state legislation in 1831, to build a street railway on New York’s Manhattan island … Continue reading →

The history of the Putnam Division goes back to 1869, when the New York & Boston was chartered to build a new railroad from High Bridge in the Bronx to Brewster in Putnam County. The route would go through several … Continue reading →

The Hudson River Railroad Company was incorporated May 12, 1846 to build and operate a railroad from New York City to East Albany which is now Rensselaer. The road was opened for traffic in sections as completed, the entire length … Continue reading →