Arcade and Attica Railroad
No. 18 hauling an excursion train in September 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Arcade, NY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reporting mark | ARA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Wyoming County, New York, USA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dates of operation | 1917–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 14 miles (23 km) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | http://www.aarailroad.com/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Arcade and Attica Railroad (reporting mark ARA) is a shortline and heritage railroad that hauls freight between Arcade and North Java, New York. The railroad originally connected Arcade with Attica until the right of way from North Java to Attica was abandoned in 1957 due to flooding on the Tonawanda Creek.
The ARA's main business is handling agricultural products such as soybeans, corn, fertilizer, lumber, dairy feed, and other commodities between Arcade and North Java. The ARA also runs passenger excursion trains from May to October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Passengers can ride the 14-mile (23 km) round trip from Arcade to Curriers Station on restored 1920s-era Boonton passenger coaches as well as a covered gondola pulled by one of the vintage Centercab Diesels (#113, built in 1959, and #112, built in 1945).
As of 2024, ARA uses its newly acquired 1952 RS3m #114 to handle freight runs from Arcade to the Reisdorf Brothers feed mill in North Java. However, the railroad's ALCo steam locomotive Arcade & Attica 18 returned from a full rebuild in August 2024, meaning the General Electric centercab locomotives will take a break from frequent service.