Arcade and Attica Railroad

Arcade And Attica Railroad

Incorporated in 1917, the Arcade & Attica Railroad (reporting mark ARA) is a shortline railroad that hauls freight between Arcade, New York and North Java, New York. The railroad originally connected Arcade with Attica, New York, however the right of way from North Java north to Attica was abandoned in 1957 due to flooding on the Tonawanda Creek.

The principal business of the ARA is handling agricultural products (soy beans, corn, and fertilizer), lumber, dairy feed, and other commodities between Arcade and North Java. They continue to use their GE 65-ton as primary freight power, and sometimes will double-head it with the GE 44-ton if they need to move more than 4 cars at once. Days of freight operation remain Monday, Wednesday, Friday, starting its day at 7:00am at the Arcade engine shop. From there, they will run up to the Norfolk Southern (reporting mark NS) interchange, and then out to serve the handful of customers left on the line.

The ARA also runs their ever popular steam excursion passenger trains from May to October, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Passengers get to enjoy a 14-mile (23 km) ride from Arcade to Curriers, New York and back on restored 1920s era Boonton passenger coaches, and an open gondola, pulled by one of their historic steam or early diesel engines.