Erie Lackawanna Railway

{{Infobox railway| name = Erie Lackawanna Railway| logo = | image = | locale = New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois| start_year = 1960| end_year = 1976| preceded_by = Erie Railroad, Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad| succeeded_by = Conrail| track_gauge = |

''' Erie Lackawanna Railway The Erie Lackawanna Railway was formed in 1960 through the merger of the Erie Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, creating a major rail transportation system in the Northeastern United States. This merger was influenced by the Pennsylvania Railroad, New York Central Railroad, and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which were competing for dominance in the region. The Erie Lackawanna Railway played a significant role in the railroad industry, with connections to major cities like New York City, Chicago, and Cleveland. The railway also intersected with other notable railroads, including the Lehigh Valley Railroad, Central Railroad of New Jersey, and Penn Central Transportation.

● History

The Erie Lackawanna Railway was established on October 17, 1960, when the Erie Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad merged to form a single entity. This merger was a response to the declining railroad industry and the need for consolidation to remain competitive. The Erie Lackawanna Railway inherited a vast network of routes and infrastructure from its predecessor railroads, including the Erie Railroad's New York City to Chicago mainline and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad's Pocono Mountains route. The railway also had connections to major ports like the Port of New York and New Jersey and the Port of Philadelphia, as well as intermodal facilities like the Elizabeth Marine Terminal and the Port of Baltimore. The Erie Lackawanna Railway was also influenced by the Federal Railroad Administration, Interstate Commerce Commission, and the United States Department of Transportation.

● Operations

The Erie Lackawanna Railway operated a diverse range of services, including freight transport, passenger transport, and commuter rail. The railway's freight operations included the transportation of coal, iron ore, and other commodities to major industrial centers like the Rust Belt and the Northeast megalopolis. The Erie Lackawanna Railway also operated passenger trains like the Phoebe Snow and the Lake Cities, which connected New York City to Chicago and other major cities. The railway's commuter rail services included the Erie Lackawanna Railway's Hoboken Terminal to New York City route, which was later taken over by the New Jersey Transit. The Erie Lackawanna Railway also had connections to other notable transportation systems, including the New York City Subway, Port Authority Trans-Hudson, and the Long Island Rail Road.

● Merger_and_Legacy

In 1976, the Erie Lackawanna Railway was merged into the Conrail system, a government-backed consolidation of several Northeastern United States railroads. The Conrail merger was a response to the declining railroad industry and the need for further consolidation to remain competitive. The Erie Lackawanna Railway's legacy can be seen in the modern-day Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation systems, which inherited many of the railway's routes and infrastructure. The Erie Lackawanna Railway also played a significant role in the development of the United States railroad industry, with its innovative approaches to rail transportation and its influence on the Federal Railroad Administration and the Interstate Commerce Commission. The railway's history is also preserved by organizations like the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

● Locomotives_and_Rolling_Stock

The Erie Lackawanna Railway operated a diverse range of locomotives and rolling stock, including diesel locomotives like the EMD GP7 and EMD SD45. The railway also operated electric locomotives like the GE E44 and GE E60, which were used on the electrified routes in the Northeastern United States. The Erie Lackawanna Railway's passenger cars included the Budd Company's stainless steel railcars and the Pullman Company's sleeping cars. The railway's freight cars included boxcars, hopper cars, and tank cars from manufacturers like the American Car and Foundry Company and the Pullman-Standard. The Erie Lackawanna Railway also had a significant maintenance and repair program, with facilities like the Meeker Avenue Yard and the Oak Island Yard.

● Routes_and_Stations

The Erie Lackawanna Railway operated a vast network of routes and stations, including the Main Line (Erie Lackawanna Railway) from New York City to Chicago. The railway's routes also included the Lackawanna Cut-Off from Port Morris Junction to Scranton, and the Graham Line from Binghamton to Buffalo. The Erie Lackawanna Railway's stations included the Hoboken Terminal in New Jersey, the Scranton Railway Station in Pennsylvania, and the Binghamton station in New York. The railway also had connections to other notable stations like the Grand Central Terminal in New York City, the Penn Station (New York City) in New York City, and the Union Station (Washington, D.C.) in Washington, D.C.. The Erie Lackawanna Railway's routes and stations played a significant role in the development of the Northeastern United States railroad industry, with its connections to major cities and industrial centers.

Category:Railroads in the United States