Ontario Central Railroad

Ontario Central Railroad
Overview
HeadquartersGeneva, New York
Reporting markONCT
LocaleNew York
Dates of operation1979–present
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length13 mi (21 km)
Other
Websitehttp://www.fingerlakesrail.com

The Ontario Central Railroad (reporting mark ONCT) is an American class III railroad company operating in Ontario County, New York. As of 2007, the ONCT has been under the ownership of the Finger Lakes Railway which is based in Geneva, New York.[1][2][3]

The ONCT was formed from an approximate 13 mile section of the Lehigh Valley mainline from Shortsville, New York to Victor, New York as well as a short section of the New York Central's Auburn Road in Victor.[4] This trackage was saved by the actions of the communities it serves. The plan for forming Conrail involved the abandonment of all the trackage that became the ONCT; but several rail customers wanted to keep rail service. With the building of a short connection from the LV to NYC trackage in Victor and an interchange in Shortsville, the ONCT began operating the rail lines in 1979; before which Conrail was obligated to do so as the designated operator.[4]

Throughout the years, the ONCT has had a number of customers; but Victor Insulators, Inc. has been there from the beginning and was still receiving service as of 2019. This particular section in the Victor area may eventually be removed, though, per recent meetings between the Village of Victor, Town of Victor, Ontario County and Finger Lakes Railway.[5] Other customers include, or have been, Ryan Homes, Iron City Sash & Door and others. The sole interchange for the ONCT has been in Shortsville, where Conrail constructed an interchange with the former Auburn Road of the NYC.

From the beginning the ONCT was a member of the "Ontario Lines" family of shorts lines in New York State until 1993. Other members included the Ontario Midland Railroad and the Ontario Eastern Railroad. In 1998, the Livonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad bought a controlling interest in the ONCT.[4] Then, in October 2007, the LAL sold the ONCT to the Finger Lakes Railway.[1][2]

Locomotive roster

Below is a list of locomotives that were operated by the Ontario Central Railroad, all Alco.

  • #14 was an Alco S-2 built in 1947, formerly Buffalo Creek (BCK) #46. It was transferred to Ontario Central (ONCT) by RSA Leasing (a lineside community based in Syracuse, New York) after being leased to the New York & Lake Erie Railroad. The locomotive was renumbered Engine #14.[6][7]
  • #86 (later #418) was an Alco RS-36 built in 1962, formerly Norfolk & Western (N&W) #2865. It was originally owned by the New York, Chicago & St.Louis (Nickel Plate Road (NKP)) as Engine #865.[8]

Note: Some locomotives of the Ontario Lines may have been operated by other affiliates for a period of time. What is generally listed are the primary operators during their ownerships.

Ontario Lines Affiliated Companies

References

  1. ^ a b STB Decision 10/05/2007 - FD_35062_0
  2. ^ a b Finger Lakes Railway System Map, Retrieved Mar. 17, 2018.
  3. ^ Bloomberg - Company Overview of Ontario Central Railroad Corporation, Retrieved Mar. 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c The Greater Rochester Railfan Page - Ontario Central Railroad, Retrieved Mar. 17, 2018.
  5. ^ Village of Victor, Board of Trustees, August 19, 2019 meeting minutes, Retrieved Apr. 2, 2022.
  6. ^ RR Picture Archives, Photo of OMID #46, December 31, 1985, Retrieved Mar. 21, 2022.
  7. ^ RR Picture Archives, Photo of ONCT #14, June 4, 1984, Retrieved Mar. 24, 2022.
  8. ^ RR Picture Archives, Photo of ONCT #418, July 1, 2002, Retrieved Apr. 2, 2022.