The Ontario and Western was not the most important railroad to serve Oneida County, but its story is an interesting and integral part of the transportation history of the area. The demise of the O&W in Oneida County can be traced to the same factors that plagued the entire line throughout its history. In the larger communities it faced competition from larger and better financed railroads and in the smaller communities where there was no competition there was not enough business to maintain the road.

The Utica Division service and the Rome-Clinton branch represented the O&W in Oneida County. The track to Rome began at Clinton. There is a long and complicated story behind this line; it was built in anticipation that the O&W would not be allowed to enter Utica. In the end the O&W and what became the Lackawanna both served the city of Utica. O&W brochures proclaimed Utica as the largest point served by the line outside of the New York City area.

The Sylvan Beach shuttle, which became famous, accounted for much passenger traffic. This convenient shuttle received passengers from trolleys coming from either Utica or Syracuse. In the pre-automobile, pre-radio, pre-television days, Sylvan Beach was a popular vacation spot; a day at the Beach meant recreation, renewal, and strength for the challenges of every day life. Eddie’s Restaurant in Sylvan Beach is said to be on the site of the station. Pictures show great crowds of people waiting in the covered structure for the shuttle that would take them to Oneida Castle and the trolley home to Utica or Syracuse.

The road was always diligent in its search for business. Another example was the transporting of a circus train from Utica to Norwich. After a show in Utica, other railroad lines would not transport the circus cars unless certain stiff conditions were met. The Utica branch of O&W accepted the circus and made the trip safely and in good order.

There were also stations in Oneida County north of Sylvan Beach – North Bay and Jewell; beyond Jewell, the tracks entered Oswego County. Actually, the Utica section and the Rome-Clinton branch accounted for as much business for the company as did Oswego County with the cities of Fulton and Oswego.

The O&W left its main line at Randallsville, formerly known as Smith Valley. It then went to Hamilton, Pecksport, Bouckville, Solsville, Oriskany Falls, Franklin Springs, Clinton, New Hartford, West Utica, and finally to Union Station in Utica. When Union Station was completed, the passenger office was moved to it. There was also a station at Columbia and Fay Streets known as West Utica.

The Rome-Clinton Branch was built because the promoters thought they would be unable to build into Utica and therefore Rome would be the connection with the New York Central Railroad. Clinton was important and at one time had an engine stationed there as well as spur lines to iron mines near Clinton and Franklin Springs. This route went from Clinton to Kirkland, Clark Mills, Westmoreland, Bartlett, Dix and Rome where there was also an engine house. In the days when rail was the chief form of transportation, this line was a way to Rome with its industry and shops.

In 1931 the milk station at Pennellville, New York was closed. This meant that thirty five people were out of work and that passenger service between Oswego and Oneida would end shortly. In mid December, notices were posted that the train would be discontinued as of December 31. This came as a shock to communities along the line who had taken the train for granted. Headlines appeared in the local papers O&W DISCONTINUES TRAINS WITHOUT NOTICE and SERVICE DISCONTINUED BETWEEN OSWEGO AND ONEIDA. In February 1932 the Public Service Commission ordered a hearing which attracted more attention than expected because the railroad had acted hastily and the public thought that the end of passenger service was the end of the railroad. Freight was important to these communities even though passenger service was seldom used.

Those testifying for continuance weakened their case by stating that they used the train in winter, but in good weather preferred to travel by auto. President Nuelle produced figures on auto registration in the area served and also showed that, in December, 1931, passenger revenues on Trains 9 and 10 was less than $10 while the cost of operating the trains was $100. It goes without saying that no order to restore passenger service was ever issued, and all communities accepted the fact that their railroad would provide freight service only.

Trains 9 and 10 continued running as milk trains to Sidney until the 1950s. In the years after World War II this train was discovered by rail fans and a coach attached to the train was filled with passengers. One such trip was in June, 1946, sponsored by the Rochester and Syracuse chapters of the National Railway Historical Society, with many people from Oneida County on board. The Utica paper sent photographer Dante Tranquille on the trip; many of his pictures appeared in the paper, along with a story by David H. Beetle. Excitement was provided when the crew had to fight a minor fire in one of the milk cars,

Frederic Lyford came to the O&W in 1937, the year it went into bankruptcy. He had made heroic efforts to increase business for the line, including "The Mountaineer", in a valiant effort to retain the passenger business to the Catskills being taken over by bus and auto. "The Mountaineer" was streamlined, powered by steam engine 405 and was luxurious in every way except for lack of air conditioning, which the railroad could not afford. Also, special trains were run for sporting events at Hamilton and Colgate, all to no avail.

Railway Historical Societies will preserve the memory, especially the groups in Middletown, Utica and Syracuse. The story of this line should encourage us all to some of the values of a generation past. Oneida County is richer because it was served by the New York, Ontario and Western.