Street Railway Journal Article on J. M. Jones Son's Company trolleys at the 1893 Chicago World Fair

Archive # 5,230.

Saratoga Traction Company, Article

The following was copied from the now-defunct Troy Daily Press of Monday March 4 1901 page 8

“The Powers-Colvin Co., Saturday consumated a deal by which they assume control of the Saratoga Traction Co. Associated with them is John W. Herbert of Helmetta, N.J. The road extends from Ballston to Saratoga and will at once become a feature of the system of roads from Troy to Caldwell. Two routes are open to connect this latest acquisition with the rest of the road. One is from Saratoga to Schuylerville; the other from Ballston to Stillwater. The new road will bring Saratoga into communication by trolley with the rest of the world. The consumation of the purchase was reached quickly, the deal being closed in less than a week. With the completion of the proposed Ballston—Schenectady electric road this section of the state will be pretty thoroughly covered by the trolley system. The enterprise being displayed by Messrs. Powers and Colvin is commedable.

Archive #5,183.

Hudson Valley Railway, Notes

Mc Graw Electric Railway Directory 1925 Edition.

The Hudson Valley Railway, a consolidation of the Stillwater and Mechanicville Street By., the Greenwich & Schuylerville Electric Ry., The Saratoga Traction Co. , the Saratoga Northern Ry. the Glens Falls, Sandy Hill & Fort Edward Street Ry. Co., the Warren County Ry. Leases the North River Ry. Connects Troy, Mechanicville, Saratoga Springs, Hudson Falls, Glens Falls, Warrensburg, Fort Edward, South Glens Falls, Lake George, Greenwich, Schuylerville, Stillwater & Waterford. 126.18 miles of which 23.37 are in paved streets. 4ft. 8 ½ in ga. 114 motor cars of which 8 are 1 man. 8 other cars. Power Stations at Stillwater, Mechanicville, Middle Fails, Queensbury, Saratoga Springs, Wilton and Thomsons. Trans 22,000 volts-trolley 600 volts. Energy purchased from Adirondack Power & Light Company

Archive #5,182.

Hudson Valley Railway, Notes

6
THE POWERS-COLVIN SYSTEM
Which has been consolidated and Incorporated Under the Name of the
HUDSON VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY

The Stillwater & Mechanicville horse railroad of about seven miles was the initial track of the system. This was converted from a horse railway to an electric road in 1895 and two years later an extension was completed to Waterford, nine additional miles. The operations of this extension was begun August 14 1898. The charter of the Greenwich & Schuylveville road was obtained in 1895, and operation over the entire line from Schuylveville to Greenwich was commenced June 17 1900. The length of the road is about twenty one miles. The line from Thomson’s to Fort Edward, about ten miles, was completed this year (1901), the first regular cars being run June 19. The Glens Falls, Sandy Hill & Fort Edward Railway, five miles was purchased in June, and the extension from Glens Falls to Caldwell, nine miles, was finished July 13 ,of this year. The following week a regular schedule of cars was run. Meantime the Saratoga Traction interests had been absorbed in April and are operated as a part of the system. These interests include thirteen miles of track. The connection of Ballston Spa with Mechanicville has also been completed and by the autumn months the Warrensburg line, now under construction will have been finished. The aggreate mileage of the system will be more than 100 miles. The evolution of a trolley system of 100 miles within a short period of seven years is a remarkable achievement. Steam road construction has been followed, heavy T rails being used and sand, stone and cinder ballast being insisted on.
The equipment is the best in all particulars, and modern methods and ideas have prevailed.

While the greatest part of the track is a heavy T rail, parts of the Glens Falls and Saratoga systems have heavy girder rail. The trolley wires are heavy. The method of track bonding, which has proved very efficient, is a simple device of Mr. Powers’ own invention. The telephone system of dispatching cars is used, and there are instruments at every switch. The cars of the main line are all heavy and large. The big open cars have fifteen seats and accomodate ninety persons. The closed cars are vestibuled and have smoking compartments. The seats are as in ordinary passenger trains. The Taylor swing motion, heavy double trucks are used and the cars are equipped with Westinghouse motors and apparatus. Push buttons are on all oars. A speed of forty miles an hour is possible, but the average is about twenty miles. Freight or express cars are run, passenger trains having the right of way. Recently ten new cars were delivered by Jones of Watervliet, for the main line, six of which were open cars, two closed and two express. The United States Mails are carried between several stations on this line, showing the confidence of the government in this new road.

There are power stations, water and steam, at Stillwater and Middle Falls, Steam Power stations have also been erected at Saratoga, Glens Falls and Caldwell. These are all excellently equipped with the best and most improved apparatus. Cars barns are located at Stillwater, Saratoga and Glens Falls. At the last named place a new and modern barn is being erected. The main office of the company and Mr. Powers’ private office are on Broad Street, Waterford. Mr. Colvin’s office is at Glens Falls. Arrangements have been made with the United Traction Company to use the Ferry Street barn of the Traction Co to receive and discharge freight in Troy.

The above was copied from Jay W. Forrest’s booklet on the Hudson Valley Ry. and as will be noted contains no reference as to when the Glens Falls, Sandy Hill and Ft. Edward began operations. Mr. Colvin was a prominent resident of Glens Falls and Mr. Powers was a prominent resident of Lansingburg (North Troy)

Archive #5,180.

Mountain Lake Electric Railroad Company

Copied from the March 13 1901 issue of the Troy Daily Press, Page 5

The Mountain Lake Electric R.R. Co., of Gloversville through Contractor Stanton of Ballston has place orders for seven cars, six of which are to be ten seat open cars and one a combination baggage, smoking and passenger car. The cars will be built in St. Louis. The contract for a portion of the equipment of the Power House has been given to the Washington Company of New York. Contractor Stanton will be required to have the road in readiness for operation by June 25th. It will be four miles long and extend from Gloversville to the top of Bleecker Mountains, rising to a distance of over a thousand feet above the city".

Archive #5,181.

Hudson Valley Railway, Notes

Archive #5,179.

Letter to Joesph Smith from Bob Bedford on Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Railroad Trolley Cars

CAYADUTTA RAIL ROAD CLUB

Januay 12 1958


Dear Mr. Smith;

I am enclosing what photos of the FJG 200 series I have available at present. The front and rear views were taken about five years ago and the side and three-quarter view were taken when the cars arrived in August of 1922.

Following is a direct quote from the local newspaper of Aug 8 1922 "The body of the cars were built by the J.G. Brill Co., of Philadelphia,Pa and are mounted upon chassis built by the Service Motors Inc of Wabash, Ind, who also installed the motors." By motors it is meant the gasolene engines.

I used to be in tough with the Capitol District club through some of the members. John Murphy, Fred Abele of Albany and John Murray of Cohoes.

Henry J lesser is deceased but his widow is still alive

Of the three gas cars two were sold some years ago and the one which you have just seen was used after the trolley line was abandoned as a replacement for No. 340 gas-electric on the mail-express run from Fonda to Gloversville when 340 was laid up for overhauls.

The purchasers have moved it to Troy where it will be equipped with diesel-electric drive and used as an office and crew car for a salvage contractor who tears up abanderled railroads.

Bob Bedford

Archive #5,149

Cleveland Transit System Trolley #4094 in 1947

Cleveland Transit System Trolley #4233 on July 4, 1947

International Railway Company Trolley #23 at Buffalo, New York on February 22, 1948

Syracuse Street Railway Trolley

International Railway Company Trolley #144

At Buffalo, New York in December, 1942.

Catskill Electric Railway Company Trolley #3

First Catskill Trolley in 1901.

Binghamton Railway Trolley #86

Binghamton Railway #227

Schenectady Railway #651

Waterford New York Bridge with United Traction Trolley #323

Troy end of the Waterford Bridge.

Bridge later burned.

United Traction Company #126

Hudson Valley Railway #44 with crew

Troy Car - Hudson Valley Railroad - John L. Loughlin, conductor; Tim Sweeney, motorman.

United Traction Company #340

At Jones Car Builder Plant in Watervliet, New York.

Suburban Railway Trolley #690 at J. M. Jones Son's Company Plant

From the back:

Suburban Railway operated in Providence R.I & 675 & 690 were used on the "BUTTERWOODS line from Providence
675 Built in 1899
690 "" "" 1900

Open Trolley #403 at J. M. Jones Son's Company

United Traction Company #94

Supposedly first Electric Trolley in Albany.

Schenectady Railway Trolley #563 at Wolf Road Crossing, Albany-Schenectady Road, Colonie, New York

Stop 26.

Greenwich & Schuylerville Railway #1

At Middle Falls shortly after road was opened.