December 29, 2002: Mr. Palmer shared with me another article tagged “More on the “Young Lion.” He prefaced this finding with this note which takes us up to the railroad’s current status:

This railroad was completed to Auburn in November, 1841. It and the Auburn & Syracuse were merged in 1850 to form the Rochester & Syracuse Railroad Company. It was consolidated into the New York Central in 1853. Passenger service discontinued May 18, 1958. Abandoned Victor to Pittsford in 1960; Canandaigua to Victor in 1978, and Pittsford to Rochester in 1982. Operated by Conrail, April 1, 1976 to July 1, 1995, when turned over to Finger Lakes Railway, along with remaining segment of Lehigh Valley mainline, about 15 miles, Geneva to Kendaia.

And now for the article, entitled “Railroad Excursion” from the Rochester Daily Democrat, Rochester, N.Y., Tues., July 14, 1841

On Saturday last, the Directors and Stockholders of the Auburn and Rochester Railroad Company, resident in this city and the several villages through which it passes, accompany by the Corporations of the several places, their ladies, and the Editors of the daily papers of this city (ahem!) made a delightful excursion to Seneca falls, a distance of 62 miles. The company which left this city numbered about one hundred, and increased to nearly twice that number before it reached the point of destination. Four superb passenger cars left this city at half past eight o'clock, drawn by the locomotive "Young Lion of the West," which had been very appropriately detailed for that service.

The day was beautiful - one of those which at this season of the year frequently succeeds a heavy rain, which had been falling through the night, and had left every thing in its freshest and loveliest garb. The fears of a rainy day created by a cloudy morning, were dissipated before the hour of departure, by the wind changing into the north, breaking up the reign of the Storm King, and scattering the fleecy clouds - the shadows flittering over the plains and hills scarcely keeping pace with the "Young Lion" -- until the clear blue became predominant, and all nature seemed to keep jubilee (sic) with us in victory which the ingenuity of man has achieved in overcoming distance and binding together more strongly the different portions of our continent.

Such was the rapidity of our flight, that in looking out upon the fields and forests through which we passed, it was no fancy to imagine every object around as in one grand whirlpool, hurrying off to be succeeded by new circles. Scarce had we time to recover from these reveries, before we were passing Brighton Corners, and the splendid groves and farms which constitute the beauty and wealth of that thriving town. The lazy motion of here and there a deeply laden canalboat, seemed in comparison too snail-like to deserve contempt. We soon passed that comfortable retreat, the Monroe Springs, and in a moment were halted at Pittsford, where we received the first accession to our happy number.

Leaving Pittsford, the road passes through sand hills and over short embankments until it crosses the canal at Cartersville, a few rods from the Great Canal Embankment, and nine miles from Rochester. Here is a fine spring of soft water, where the "Young Lion" slaked his thirst, and a few more joined us. A little onward, following the western side of the valley of the Irondequoit, we passed the "Railroad Mills," where good flour may be made, but not yet in quantities large enough to excite the apprehension of our millers that they will there very soon meet with a successful rival.

The sudden change of scenery along this valley is an object of interest to the lover of nature - scarcely noticed, however, before passed, and Victor, with its spires and neatly painted dwellings, is in view, at the distance of half a mile to the left. Here also the "Young Lion" found another spring of soft water, none other being allowed him, for fear of choking his pipes (Considering his speed and bottom, what an argument is this for cold water men!)

The gravelly hills and ledges of rocks through which the road has been constructed to the edge of Bloomfield, might interest a geologist, but we had no time for such investigations, the fine farms in that town and Farmington were soon passed, and Canandaigua in all its loveliness was in full view. At this place we received a large delegation, and well might her citizens feel proud of the occasion. To her capital, enterprise and perseverance are the public mainly indebted for the projection and speedy construction of a work which brings her within two hours travel of this city and in the immediate vicinity of the large villages at the east.

From this point, the road passes down the Outlet of the Canandaigua lake to Manchester - within a few rods of Clifton Springs - between Hildreth's old stand and Flint Creek (another watering place) a little north of Vienna - between Oaks' old stand and the Phelps meeting house - and thence in nearly a straight line to the north end of Water street, Geneva. The grading is made between these two villages for a double track, and some of the way the workmen were putting down the rails. A double track is necessary here, as well for passing the trains between Auburn and Rochester, as for the great amount of freight to be transported east and west on this section.

At Geneva, we found a fifth car, well filled with those who were on the same errand as ourselves; and after hitching on and giving our inveterate drinker a taste of the pure waters of the blue Seneca, we moved forward, but not without casting many a longing, lingering look behind at the beautiful village of Geneva, which it was impossible, with our other engagements, to visit on that occasion as we should wish.

The road here snakes a short curve, taking the straightest practical route to Waterloo, passing a little west of the jail in that village, and in Seneca Falls, also a little west of the center of business in that thriving place.

The Auburn and Rochester Railroad passes through one of the finest portions of the State, and at this season of the year, when "the fruitful fields laugh with abundance," what could be more interesting than such a trip, so politely furnished, and participated in by those who all appeared in the right mood to enjoy it. The cars on this road are universally admired for the ease of their motion - being suspended on springs - and the stillness with which they run enabling the passengers to converse without much difficulty. The seats are remarkably easy, and a passage through the center affords an opportunity for sociability among those congregated in the different parts of the train. The track of the road is comparatively smooth and even, while the Agents are prompt, attentive and obliging, and every precaution is taken to prevent accidents.

The Depot Building on the west side of the Genesee River at Rochester, is one of the largest and most commodious in the United States. The Bridge crossing the river a few rods above the Great Falls, is open, affording from the cars one of the most romantic views to be found in the world. This grade is so low that it passes by a deep cutting under St. Paul street.

The whole road when completed, which will be the first of November next, with the requisite locomotives and cars, will have cost, we are told, from one million to eleven hundred thousand dollars, and the stock before January next must be worth from $110 to $120 a share. No one acquainted with the amount of business to be transacted aside from the passengers and mails, can doubt the correctness of this opinion.

We were four hours in reaching Seneca Falls, where we took dinner. On our return we spent an hour at Canandaigua very pleasantly, and during the whole excursion, every thing conspired to render it all that could be expected, and one long to be remembered.

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We understand they ran over a cow at Smithville, on Saturday last, a pretty good beginning.

Our Rail Road
Jefferson Farmer, Sackets Harbor, Friday, May 20, 1853

It is now stated by those posted in such matters, that the cars for passengers and freight, will commence their regular trips on the Sackets Harbor & Ellisburgh Rail Road, on Monday the 23 inst., and will make regular trips in connection with the trains on the Watertown & Rome road, passing each way twice daily, as soon as their arrangements can be perfected.

The road is said to be in pretty condition for a new road, and has been undergoing the finishing up process by the aid of the gravel train for some weeks past. A good deal of confidence is felt that there will be no hindrances to the running of the regular trains after this week.

The Locomotive (weighing 22 tons, the "Sackets Harbor,") Baggage and one passenger car, have been made for this road, and are said to be as good as can be found in the State; so that the running will be commenced in a manner favorable to a successful result. The running of this road, so delayed by obstructions unforeseen and difficult of removal, will be hailed with great joy, and all are sanguine of its doing a good business.

The grading and rock cutting through the village, was finished up last week, having been going on just six months, and a pretty hard work it has been. Much work doubtless remains to be done, but the running may now be commenced, a thing long looked for with great anxiety by our citizens.

The cars on the Sackets Harbor and Ellisburgh Rail Road, commenced their regular trips on Wednesday morning last (May 31).

They form a connection between the trains on the Watertown and Rome Rail Road and the steamers here, both up and down the Lake -- making two trips each way, every day.

The boys took it into their heads to celebrate this advent a little by firing a few guns. The arrival of the steamers Ontario and Cataract, at the same time, with the screech of the "steam animal," the ringing of the bells, &c., made quite an animated scene for Old Sackets.

Our Rail Road
Jefferson Farmer,Sackets Harbor, Friday, June 10, 1853

The heading of this letter may seem commonplace to the quiet citizen who tarries at home during snow storms, and hears no worse sounds than the crackling fire as it roars up the chimney, or who, for want of better occupation, like another Ik (sic) Marvel, build glorious palaces and cities out of the ashes of a coal fire.

The storm had laid an embargo on all railroads, and none were so thoroughly blockaded as the Watertown & Rome. Our first sight at the depot was five enormous engines, with the snow-plow as a leader. We say the snowplow, for this is an institution which is peculiar to the W.& R. railway - everything which had been tried was found useless, and the busy brain of those Yankees of the Rome shop conceived this invention.

It grew out of the associate counsel of men who have lost half their individuality in their generous rivalry for the company, which they call our road. The snow plow is a small house on wheels, with a front shaped like a monster plow, and its sides ribbed together like the bow of one of Uncle Sam's frigates. It’s made strong as wood as iron can make it, and weighs near ten tons.

On either side are wings, which can be extended or withdrawn at pleasure, and the bearing of the weight is such as to keep it close to the track, very much as a weight on the plow beam causes it to hug the hard green sward. With some curiosity, and much more fear, we accepted the invitation of our railroad friends and entered the cabin of this Arctic traveler.

Think of it! Five engines behind you, each carrying from 100 to 120 pounds of steam, and before you, Alps upon Alps of snow; where there was only two or three feet of snow, and the country open, we whirled along at ordinary speed, plunging into drifts like a frolicsome boy, and sending the snow balls over fences 30 or 40 feet distant, and surrounding our house with clouds of the sparkling snow flakes.

There are long wastes of snowy mountains on this road which would defy all ordinary railway power; when we came upon these, Greek met Greek, and here came the tug of war. The train came in at its usual speed, the snow fairly covering us, and you could only think of a vessel completely submerged in its white foam.

Slower, slower, almost stopping, moving like a snail, on we went, until at last we shot out of the mountain, each engine giving a hoarse puff as of a cry of victory. T here were places too difficult even for this snowplow, where for miles there is a canal with banks 10, 12, 15, and even 10 feet high. In such places we were forced to stop and clear the snow from our wheels, but in no place was there any shoveling in front of the plow.

We have never spent a more exciting day. The train reached Watertown at about 4 o'clock. There is no railway where all hands work with such good will as upon this. It would be unjust to give particular praise where all deserve credit, but we say, that for companions in a snow squall, give us the operatives and machines of the Watertown & Rome Railway.

Feb. 19, 1856, A PASSENGER.