Dates of operation 1886–1890 | ||
Track gauge 4 ft 8 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Successor | ||
The Third Ward Railway, an electric street trolley line in Syracuse, New York, was established in 1886 and ran a distance of 4 miles (6.4 km) commencing in Park Avenue and terminating at Solvay Process Company in Solvay, a suburb. A second extension was open for business on July 4, 1889, when a branch was added from West Genesee Street to the shore of Onondaga Lake, known as "lake shore."
Contents
The company merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines.
History
The Third Ward Railroad was organized in 1886 and the road was put in operation in 1888. Its line extended from Salina Street on West Genesee Street to West Street and from there to Park Avenue and Willis Avenue with final termination at Solvay Process Company at Sixth North Street (now Gere Avenue) in Solvay, New York, a suburb of Syracuse. A second extension was opened in 1889 that ran from West Genesee Street to lake shore (Onondaga Lake).
Syracuse was one of the first cities in the United States to adopt electricity as a transportation motive power. The city operated its first electric car in 1889 over the lines of the Third Ward Railway Company. An attempt was made to convert the old horse-drawn cars; however, this was not successful and in 1890, the company purchased complete new equipment and cars.
Operations
The line employed both 45 and 47 pound rail and by 1890 had six cars and 26 horses. After the horse-drawn line was replaced with electric rail by the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, the track was upgraded to 35 and 50 pound rail.
Company management
During 1890, Walter S. Wales was president and treasurer, James Devine was secretary and S. D. Lake was superintendent. Later that year, H. McGonegal was named as secretary.
Syracuse consolidated lease agreement
The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway was chartered in 1890 in Syracuse and by July 1, 1890, the new company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including the Third Ward Railway as well as the Fourth Ward Railroad, Fifth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward Railroad, New Brighton and Onondaga Valley Railroad, Genesee and Water Street Railroad, Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway and Syracuse and Geddes Railway. The rail ran a total distance of 24 miles (39 km) and had branches every 3 miles (4.8 km). At that time, the Fifth Ward Railroad ceased to exist.
Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway filed for bankruptcy in 1893 and merged with the Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway Company in May 1896.