Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad

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Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad
1867 New Haven, Middletown and Boston Railroad map.jpg
An 1867 map shows the railroad's planned route from New Haven to Putnam, Connecticut, along with portions built by other railroads, highlighted in red, combined forming an alternative route from New Haven to Boston. The Shore Line and the Inland Route are both highlighted in blue.
Colchester (CT) station, April 2017.jpg
The station in Colchester, Connecticut formerly used by the Air-Line
Overview
Dates of operation1870–1882
SuccessorNew York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad (commonly known simply as The Air Line, known as the New Haven, Middletown and Willimantic Railroad before 1875) was a railroad in Connecticut.[1] Envisioned as a direct route between New Haven and Boston, it was hampered by difficult terrain in eastern Connecticut and did not find much success. The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad leased the company in 1882. The tracks between Portland, Connecticut and Willimantic, Connecticut were abandoned in 1965, while the remainder of the line is operated by the Providence and Worcester Railroad.[1]

History[]

The first attempt to build an air-line railroad connecting New Haven and Boston began in 1846, with the chartering of the New York and Boston Railroad Company. The railroad began building from New Haven in 1853, but construction quickly stalled and the company failed during the Panic of 1857.[2]

A Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad passenger train.

In 1867, a group of investors decided to try again, chartering the New Haven, Middletown and Willimantic Railroad Company. Starting from New Haven, service to Middletown commenced in 1870, while construction between Middletown and Willimantic was completed in 1873. Debt from construction brought the railroad into bankruptcy in 1875; it emerged under the new name Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad.[2]

The Air-Line Railroad was leased by the rapidly growing New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in 1882.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Karr, Ronald Dale (2017). The rail lines of southern New England : a handbook of railroad history (Second ed.). Pepperell, Massachusetts. pp. 82–88. ISBN 978-0-942147-12-4. OCLC 874835522.
  2. ^ a b Waters, Martin J. (April 8, 2001). "Here's a switch: Derelict rail line is back on track". Record-Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
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