Binghamton Passenger Rail Service Ended Fifty Years Ago
A half-century has passed since the last daily passenger train left the downtown Binghamton railroad station.
The Erie Lackawanna Railway's train Number 825 departed the city on the morning of January 5, 1970.
The Binghamton Evening Press reported the train arrived at the station at 5:15 a.m. - about 45 minutes late.
According to the newspaper story, ten people boarded the train to join several dozen other passengers.
An Erie Lackawanna employee said about half of those on the final train were railroad fans.
After the train left Binghamton, it made a stop in Scranton and continued to Hoboken, New Jersey.
Over the past few decades, some state and local officials have said they would support efforts to restore passenger rail service to the region but there's been no significant progress in making that a reality.
Governor Cuomo has indicated he wants experts to come up with a new plan for high-speed rail service to link Buffalo, Albany and New York City.
Binghamton developer Mark Yonaty acquired the Lackawanna Train Station in 2012. The Lewis Street building was renovated and now is used by several businesses.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com
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