397:
651:, long known to be in many major cities with streetcars, were purchased between 1917 and 1919 to supplement the service being primarily offered with the earlier purchased Nearside car. These cars were built by Kuhlman Car Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. The Peter Witts were delivered on their own wheels and under their own power. This was done over a series of interurban railways' trackage that connected Cleveland with Buffalo.
454:
streetcar shared trackage with the
Parkside-Zoo (or Kenmore) streetcar, the Kensington street car, the West Utica and East Utica streetcars. During the busy weekday, the four- to five-minute headways between cars on each line made it common to see streetcar after streetcar lining Main Street after departing Utica Street.
27:
1075:
720:
Toward the end, many of the streetcars left in service were painted an orange color as the primary color, with a darker green accenting the car. This color scheme existed until the end of streetcar service in 1950, although the buses operated by the IRC at the end were painted a bright red color with
437:
After the first decade of the 1900s, the
International Railway Company began assigning numbers to their services, in addition to the naming of the route according to the primary street(s) the car travelled on. Many of the route numbers assigned the most historical routes continue to this day. There
841:
Much of the original right-of-way and graded roadbed, including a second roadbed graded as a provision for never-built third and fourth tracks, exist in areas that were not overlaid by limited-access highways (Twin Cities
Arterial/Colvin Avenue extension, LaSalle Expressway). The concrete bases of
735:
Located on
Broadway between Bailey Avenue and Greene Street on Buffalo's east side, this building continues to stand and is used as for an architecture/construction firm's offices and garage. The Broadway Barns housed the streetcars that serviced most of the city's east side car lines, notably the
638:
A notable feature this type of car was known for was the P.A.Y.E. (pay as you enter) entrance, starting the policy shift of
Buffalo area streetcars to operate with a one-person crew. Using this type of boarding procedure the operator of the car also handled the responsibilities of the conductor,
453:
In addition to
Shelton Square being the origination point for the Grant, Niagara, and Elmwood streetcar lines, there were also a number of routes that passed through Shelton Square to continue either south towards the docks and harbor, or north toward the northeast sections of the city. The Main
863:
Much of the right-of-way for the 9-Parkside line was incorporated into
Delaware Park. The roadbed grade is evident along much of Parkside Avenue. Ruins of a large shelter south of Amherst Street, on the west side of the street, still remain, with the shelter being gradually dismantled since bus
404:
In 1937 the IRC discontinued all interurban rail service, and replaced much of it with buses. On July 1, 1950, the remaining streetcar lines in both
Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY, ended, also replaced by buses. Within the same year, the Niagara Frontier Transit (NFT) took over all remaining IRC
303:
in Olcott at the Olcott Beach docks. In 1937 the IRC abandoned the line north of
Lockport, and ended passenger service south of Lockport. IRC returned operations of the line to the Erie Railroad in 1951. A portion of the BL&OB was reopened in 1983 as part of the
854:
This short street in the Town of
Cheektowaga occupies a short section of the former Buffalo, Depew and Lancaster interurban right-of-way. Despite the grandiose name, Buffalo-Depew Boulevard is only about 0.3 miles (0.5 kilometers) long.
744:
Located on Forest Avenue and Tremont Avenue on the west side. This building was also utilized as a streetcar repair depot. However, by 1939 the old west side lines had pretty much ceased to exist. The building is currently used by the
441:
Routes with shortened or abbreviated names in parentheses are the original assignment to the route that it served. These services were slowly changed to the numerical format used by the IRC after being taken over from other companies.
828:
This NFTA Metro bus was painted as an International Railway Company streetcar, some 50 years after the end of the International Railway Company. The bus is primarily a dark green color, with a cream and rust accents and imitation
702:
In 1902, when the International Railway Company began absorbing many of the responsibilities of the Buffalo streetcar system, they dealt with a number of varied color schemes that existed with the past companies.
375:. A connection was made across the international border at Niagara Falls with the B&NF. It became part of the IRC in the 1902 merger. This line is best known for a visit by the Prince of Wales (later
1064:
434:
Buffalo was the city where a majority of the streetcar service by the IRC was offered. They IRC also offered service in a number of other localities in Western New York and Southern Ontario.
1053:
635:
between the years of 1911–1913. The cars were manufactured, using the input of Mitten Management, the company that provided the management structure for the International Railway Company.
279:. This line went up to Lockport, where the Lockport streetcars were IRC. Also the IRC met the Buffalo, Lockport & Rochester here. The Buffalo, Lockport and Rochester (BL&R) ran to
959:
206:(later the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority), shutting down the streetcar network in 1950. The city of Buffalo would not see rapid transit rail again until 1984 when the
616:
The International Railway Company utilized many of the vehicles from the companies it had absorbed at the early 1900s, and by 1910 found itself looking for replacement vehicles.
383:(NGRR) connected in both Lewiston and Niagara Falls, New York. The Park & River line was abandoned in 1932, following the expiration of the lease of the right-of-way through
675:
Limousine service had not quite become readily available when dignitaries came to visit the area, and the International Railway Company had cars specifically for that purpose.
258:
in Niagara Falls, following the opening of Buffalo & Niagara Falls High Speed Line in 1918. The B&NF high speed line was abandoned in 1937. The 1895 powerhouse at
667:
were their names. Both burned in 1916, and were replaced with new cars of the same names - these were used until 1922, when they were converted to regular passenger use.
246:
in Canada, the Niagara Gorge Railroad in Niagara Falls, NY, and the Buffalo & Lake Erie Traction in Buffalo. The railway was organized and incorporated by
686:
car of the Niagara Gorge Railway were two cars that were used when the Prince of Wales visited the area on September 10, 1927, during the dedication of the
450:
Although the terminal point for the majority of west side streetcars, the streetcars that used Main Street clearly made the street live up to its name.
1122:
809:
The streetcar tracks are still visible even after being buried under asphalt all these years. On rainy days the old tracks are most visible.
1117:
429:
263:
202:
Partially owing to the decline of the streetcar system, the IRC declared bankruptcy in 1947 and transferred its assets to the newly formed
1107:
243:
939:
798:
413:
406:
1127:
797:
There is an earthen embankment at the end of the dead-end street where the lower sections of the concrete supports for the old
899:
412:
The NFTA opened the subsidiary light rail rapid transit line known as Metro Rail along Main Street in Buffalo, from the
1112:
396:
999:
984:
203:
78:
773:
Former IRC building with complete IRC markings. Abandoned, possibly old offices, power station or repair shops.
706:
Previously, one could look at many of the cars and immediately know which company was operating that service.
356:
ran from the end of the Genesee car line in Pine Hill to Depew. It was reorganized in the early 1920s as the
420:'s South Campus. Much of this same route followed the previous 8-Main streetcar line only 35 years earlier.
176:(NGRR) as a subsidiary, which was sold in 1924 to the Niagara Falls Power Company. The NGRR also leased the
305:
955:
405:
operations. In 1974, NFT and Grand Island Rapid Transit were merged into a public Corporation, named the
781:
On the site of the past Seabrook Loop of the 3-Grant bus line sits a building that is now part of the
259:
235:
284:
223:
985:"National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Herschell–Spillman Motor Company Complex"
750:
247:
188:
121:
1040:
782:
746:
342:
196:
173:
1018:, Harold Ahlstrom, Buffalo Chapter, National Railways Historical Society, Inc. (1973) No ISBN
417:
219:
822:
713:
The Broadway line at one time operated violet colored cars from Downtown Buffalo to Emslie.
648:
239:
8:
817:
The streetcar tracks on this old route are visible along this entire stretch of roadway.
384:
316:
291:, where the IRC maintained an amusement park. IRC trolleys met steamers from Rochester,
136:(IRC) was a transportation company formed in a 1902 merger between several Buffalo-area
870:
632:
628:
372:
331:
255:
207:
192:
895:
786:
368:
296:
184:
42:
762:
292:
639:
collecting fares in addition to his normal day-to-day operating of the streetcar.
346:
320:
251:
911:
275:(BL&OB) left the B&NF in North Tonawanda, NY, on tracks leased from the
26:
141:
49:
1087:
1101:
846:
support structures are still in place along much of the former right-of-way.
843:
280:
276:
765:
Belt Line. Building still standing, now used as an automotive repair shop.
687:
376:
90:
288:
137:
619:
Two major car types became the backbone of the IRC's equipment force.
183:
The IRC maintained streetcar networks throughout Western New York: in
830:
691:
960:
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
659:
Two specific cars were available to those needing funeral cars. The
330:(BG&E) was part of Erie County Traction. It ran from Buffalo to
349:. East Aurora was never reached. also part of Erie County Traction.
944:. New York, New York: James B. Lyon, Publisher. pp. 216–217.
300:
218:
Besides the city streetcars, the IRC network extended throughout
982:
710:
The Buffalo Street Railway cars utilized a bright yellow color.
457:
963:
242:
to Niagara Falls, Ontario. This line interchanged with the
438:
appears to be no logical numbering scheme for the routes.
323:, creating a loop line. This route was abandoned in 1937.
283:. From Lockport, the line continued through the town of
749:
as a storage facility with a special exhibit about the
423:
761:
Located on Walden Avenue near Lathrop Street near the
736:
4-Broadway car, which trundled by since its opening.
724:
254:
This line was later abandoned between Tonawanda and
833:for the crest, logo and "INTERNATIONAL" lettering.
1054:Google Maps: Buffalo-Niagara Falls High Speed Line
716:The Jersey line boasted a green colored streetcar.
682:car of the International Railway Company, and the
156:. The suburban railroads that merged included the
983:Kerry Traynor and Daniel McEneny (January 2013).
1099:
226:counties. Most lines radiated out from Buffalo.
814:Fillmore Avenue (Seneca Street to Best Street)
315:(BB&L) interurban line ran from Buffalo to
642:
622:
391:
234:(B&NF) line ran from Buffalo, through the
956:"Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)"
158:Buffalo & Niagara Electric Street Railway
1011:
1009:
611:
458:Route of Niagara Falls, New York, streetcars
430:List of routes of City of Buffalo streetcars
162:Buffalo, Lockport & Olcott Beach Railway
244:Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto Railway
178:Lewiston & Youngstown Frontier Railroad
16:Former urban transit company in Buffalo, NY
864:service on Parkside Avenue was withdrawn.
789:for the IRC Streetcars electrical supply.
273:Buffalo, Lockport and Olcott Beach Railway
232:Buffalo and Niagara Falls Electric Railway
1006:
948:
912:"History of Metro - Metro Bus & Rail"
894:, D. David Bregger, Arcadia Pub., c2008.
407:Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
144:. The city railways that merged were the
794:Virgil Avenue & St. Lawrence Avenue
395:
367:(NFP&R) opened in 1893. It ran from
319:. From Lancaster a line branched off to
264:Herschell–Spillman Motor Company Complex
1123:Interurban railways in New York (state)
1030:, William Gordon, Self published (1970)
892:Buffalo's Historic Streetcars and Buses
670:
1100:
937:
933:
931:
838:Buffalo-Niagara Falls High Speed Line
631:type streetcar was purchased from the
365:Niagara Falls Park & River Railway
345:. The original intention was to reach
170:Niagara Falls Park & River Railway
166:Buffalo, Depew & Lancaster Railway
1065:Google Maps: Buffalo-Depew Boulevard
424:Routes of city of Buffalo streetcars
341:(BH&A) ran from Buffalo, NY, to
1118:Transportation in Buffalo, New York
1016:The Last Decade of Buffalo Trolleys
928:
770:1231 Seneca Street at Imson Street
400:Workers arriving on IRC buses, 1943
339:Buffalo, Hamburg and Aurora Railway
13:
1108:Defunct New York (state) railroads
14:
1139:
725:Visible remains of the IRC system
328:Buffalo, Gardenville and Ebenezer
1088:"IRC - 18 Mile Creek Bridge (E)"
210:began operation under the NFTA.
25:
1080:
1069:
697:
654:
204:Niagara Frontier Transit System
79:Niagara Frontier Transit System
1128:Interurban railways in Ontario
1058:
1047:
1033:
1021:
904:
885:
806:Virgil Avenue (North Buffalo)
778:Kenmore Extension at Seabrook
445:
313:Buffalo, Bellvue and Lancaster
1:
941:The New York red book, Vol. 4
878:
801:Belt Line are still visible.
172:. Later the IRC acquired the
134:International Railway Company
1076:Google Maps: Parkside Avenue
1028:90 Years of Buffalo Railways
785:. The previous use was as a
334:, and was abandoned in 1937.
62:Buffalo and Niagara Frontier
7:
643:Peter Witt car (100 to 229)
623:Nearside car (6000 to 6363)
392:Buses and modern rail lines
379:) in 1927. The IRC and the
10:
1144:
1041:"1231 Seneca Street — PRS"
868:
867:
859:
858:
850:
849:
837:
836:
821:
820:
813:
812:
805:
804:
793:
792:
777:
776:
769:
768:
757:
756:
740:
739:
731:
730:
721:silver and black accents.
427:
213:
938:Murlin, Edgar L. (1896).
612:Equipment / Rolling Stock
260:North Tonawanda, New York
160:, and its subsidiary the
120:
89:
84:
74:
66:
58:
48:
38:
33:
24:
20:International Railway Co.
1113:Defunct Ontario railways
1001:Accompanying photographs
851:Buffalo-Depew Boulevard
360:and operated until 1925.
154:Buffalo Traction Company
150:Crosstown Street Railway
146:West Side Street Railway
751:Pan-American Exposition
250:, investors, including
248:Niagara Falls, New York
195:, and a single line in
783:Buffalo Public Schools
747:Buffalo History Museum
401:
381:Niagara Gorge Railroad
197:Niagara Falls, Ontario
174:Niagara Gorge Railroad
967:(Searchable database)
869:18 Mile Creek Bridge
690:(between Buffalo and
649:Peter Witt streetcars
428:Further information:
418:University of Buffalo
399:
823:New Flyer Industries
758:Walden Avenue Barns
741:Forest Avenue Barns
671:Special service cars
262:, forms part of the
385:Queen Victoria Park
358:Depew and Lancaster
21:
871:Lockport, New York
633:J.G. Brill Company
483:Streets Travelled
402:
373:Lewiston, New York
208:Buffalo Metro Rail
67:Dates of operation
19:
900:978-0-7385-5750-2
876:
875:
787:power transformer
609:
608:
369:Chippewa, Ontario
354:Buffalo and Depew
306:Somerset Railroad
297:Hamilton, Ontario
130:
129:
43:Buffalo, New York
1135:
1092:
1091:
1084:
1078:
1073:
1067:
1062:
1056:
1051:
1045:
1044:
1037:
1031:
1025:
1019:
1013:
1004:
997:
995:
994:
989:
977:
975:
974:
968:
962:. Archived from
952:
946:
945:
935:
926:
925:
923:
922:
908:
902:
889:
860:Parkside Avenue
763:New York Central
729:
728:
462:
461:
416:Terminal to the
115:
111:
109:
108:
104:
101:
29:
22:
18:
1143:
1142:
1138:
1137:
1136:
1134:
1133:
1132:
1098:
1097:
1096:
1095:
1086:
1085:
1081:
1074:
1070:
1063:
1059:
1052:
1048:
1039:
1038:
1034:
1026:
1022:
1014:
1007:
992:
990:
987:
981:This includes
972:
970:
966:
954:
953:
949:
936:
929:
920:
918:
910:
909:
905:
890:
886:
881:
732:Broadway Barns
727:
700:
673:
657:
645:
625:
614:
460:
448:
432:
426:
394:
347:East Aurora, NY
252:Frank A. Dudley
216:
142:street railways
122:Electrification
113:
106:
102:
99:
97:
96:4 ft
95:
70:1902–1950
17:
12:
11:
5:
1141:
1131:
1130:
1125:
1120:
1115:
1110:
1094:
1093:
1079:
1068:
1057:
1046:
1032:
1020:
1005:
947:
927:
916:metro.nfta.com
903:
883:
882:
880:
877:
874:
873:
866:
865:
861:
857:
856:
852:
848:
847:
839:
835:
834:
826:
819:
818:
815:
811:
810:
807:
803:
802:
795:
791:
790:
779:
775:
774:
771:
767:
766:
759:
755:
754:
742:
738:
737:
733:
726:
723:
718:
717:
714:
711:
699:
696:
672:
669:
656:
653:
644:
641:
624:
621:
613:
610:
607:
606:
604:
602:
600:
598:
596:
594:
587:
586:
584:
582:
580:
578:
576:
574:
570:
569:
567:
565:
563:
561:
559:
557:
553:
552:
550:
548:
546:
544:
542:
540:
536:
535:
533:
531:
529:
527:
525:
523:
519:
518:
516:
514:
512:
510:
508:
506:
502:
501:
499:
497:
495:
493:
491:
489:
485:
484:
481:
478:
475:
474:Ended Service
472:
471:Began Service
469:
468:Route Numbers
466:
459:
456:
447:
444:
425:
422:
393:
390:
389:
388:
361:
350:
335:
324:
309:
268:
267:
215:
212:
128:
127:
124:
118:
117:
93:
87:
86:
82:
81:
76:
72:
71:
68:
64:
63:
60:
56:
55:
52:
50:Reporting mark
46:
45:
40:
36:
35:
31:
30:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1140:
1129:
1126:
1124:
1121:
1119:
1116:
1114:
1111:
1109:
1106:
1105:
1103:
1089:
1083:
1077:
1072:
1066:
1061:
1055:
1050:
1042:
1036:
1029:
1024:
1017:
1012:
1010:
1003:
1002:
986:
980:
969:on 2019-04-04
965:
961:
957:
951:
943:
942:
934:
932:
917:
913:
907:
901:
897:
893:
888:
884:
872:
862:
853:
845:
840:
832:
827:
824:
816:
808:
800:
796:
788:
784:
780:
772:
764:
760:
752:
748:
743:
734:
722:
715:
712:
709:
708:
707:
704:
695:
693:
689:
685:
681:
676:
668:
666:
662:
652:
650:
640:
636:
634:
630:
620:
617:
605:
603:
601:
599:
597:
595:
593:
590:Sugar Street
589:
588:
585:
583:
581:
579:
577:
575:
572:
571:
568:
566:
564:
562:
560:
558:
555:
554:
551:
549:
547:
545:
543:
541:
538:
537:
534:
532:
530:
528:
526:
524:
521:
520:
517:
515:
513:
511:
509:
507:
504:
503:
500:
498:
496:
494:
492:
490:
487:
486:
482:
479:
476:
473:
470:
467:
464:
463:
455:
451:
443:
439:
435:
431:
421:
419:
415:
410:
408:
398:
386:
382:
378:
374:
370:
366:
362:
359:
355:
351:
348:
344:
340:
336:
333:
329:
325:
322:
318:
314:
310:
307:
302:
298:
294:
290:
286:
282:
278:
277:Erie Railroad
274:
270:
269:
265:
261:
257:
253:
249:
245:
241:
237:
233:
229:
228:
227:
225:
221:
211:
209:
205:
200:
198:
194:
190:
189:Niagara Falls
186:
181:
179:
175:
171:
167:
163:
159:
155:
151:
147:
143:
139:
135:
125:
123:
119:
114:1,435 mm
94:
92:
88:
83:
80:
77:
73:
69:
65:
61:
57:
53:
51:
47:
44:
41:
37:
32:
28:
23:
1082:
1071:
1060:
1049:
1035:
1027:
1023:
1015:
1000:
991:. Retrieved
978:
971:. Retrieved
964:the original
950:
940:
919:. Retrieved
915:
906:
891:
887:
719:
705:
701:
698:Color scheme
688:Peace Bridge
683:
679:
677:
674:
664:
660:
658:
655:Funeral cars
646:
637:
626:
618:
615:
592:(Hyde Park)
591:
573:11th Street
539:Buffalo Ave
522:Pine Avenue
505:Main Street
488:19th Street
452:
449:
440:
436:
433:
411:
403:
380:
364:
357:
353:
343:Orchard Park
338:
327:
312:
272:
231:
217:
201:
182:
177:
169:
165:
161:
157:
153:
149:
145:
133:
131:
39:Headquarters
446:Main Street
377:Edward VIII
230:The former
91:Track gauge
1102:Categories
993:2015-11-01
973:2015-11-01
921:2022-03-01
879:References
556:Riverview
480:Terminals
414:Lackawanna
293:Youngstown
240:Wheatfield
236:Tonawandas
168:; and the
138:interurban
831:gold leaf
825:bus 9318
692:Fort Erie
665:Greenwood
477:Car Type
465:Car Line
317:Lancaster
281:Rochester
85:Technical
75:Successor
844:catenary
799:DL&W
629:Nearside
409:(NFTA).
332:Ebenezer
193:Lockport
152:and the
110: in
34:Overview
680:Ondiara
661:Elmlawn
301:Toronto
285:Newfane
256:LaSalle
224:Niagara
214:Network
185:Buffalo
126:600v DC
105:⁄
898:
684:Rapids
289:Olcott
164:; the
148:, the
59:Locale
988:(PDF)
979:Note:
371:, to
321:Depew
998:and
896:ISBN
678:The
663:and
647:The
627:The
363:The
352:The
337:The
326:The
311:The
299:and
271:The
238:and
222:and
220:Erie
191:and
140:and
132:The
694:).
287:to
54:IRC
1104::
1008:^
958:.
930:^
914:.
753:.
295:,
199:.
187:,
180:.
1090:.
1043:.
996:.
976:.
924:.
387:.
308:.
266:.
116:)
112:(
107:2
103:1
100:+
98:8
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