List of routes of City of Buffalo streetcars

Buffalo Street Car and Bus Guide Oct 1935

1800s (the debut of streetcar service and its lines)

[1]

Car line Terminals Began service
Horse
Began service
Electric
Abbott Road -- 1915
Albany/School
Bailey -- 1916
Best Main & South Division
NYC Belt Line (Walden Ave)
-- 1897
Broadway Docks
Emslie
1885 1893
Cazenovia Triangle
Cazenovia & Seneca
-- 1893
Chicago -- 1908
Clinton 1885 1888
Connecticut -- 1881
Elk -- 1891
Elmwood Elmwood & Allen
Elmwood & Forest
1889
East Ferry -- 1895
Fillmore -- 1907
Forest 1888
Hertel -- 1894
Genesee 1861
Grant -- 1893
Herman
Hoyt 1879 1881
Jefferson 1873 1894
Kenmore
(Parkside)
-- 1898
Kensington -- 1895
Main Docks
City Line
1860 1890
Michigan 1880 1912
Niagara 1860 1891
Seneca -- 1891
South Park Triangle
Limestone Hill
-- 1894
Sycamore -- 1892
Tonawanda Street -- 1892
East Utica -- 1900
West Utica -- 1899
Washington -- 1892
William Eagle & Main
Stockyards (Babcock)
1874

1898 (pre-IRC)

[2]

Route name Roads travelled
Albany/School from foot of Main, Court, Niagara, Connecticut, Fourteenth, Albany, School to Niagara.
Bailey Elk & Seneca, Bailey, South Park Av to Limestone Hill.
Baynes & Hoyt Main & Exchange, Main, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes to Forest.
Broadway Main & Exchange, Main, Clinton, Washington, Broadway to City Line.
Clinton/Eagle Main & North Division, Eagle, Emslie, Clinton to City Line.
Elk Street Main & Exchange, Perry, Michigan, Elk to Seneca.
Elmwood Avenue Main & Exchange, Main, Virginia, Elmwood, Forest to the Park (Delaware Park)
Ferry Street Main & Ferry, Bailey, Delavan to City Line.
Forest Avenue Niagara & Forest, Forest, the Park, Delaware, Delavan, Linwood, Balcom, Harvard Place to Main.
Genesee Street Washington & Exchange, Washington, Genesee to City Line.
Hertel Avenue Main & Hertel, Hertel to Elmwood (McPherson)
Jefferson Street Main & Exchange, Exchange, Louisiana, Seneca, Seneca, Cedar, Swan, Jefferson to Main.
Kensington Avenue Washington & Exchange, Washington, Genesee, Kehr, Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey, to City Line.
Main Street Foot of Main Street, Main to City Line.
Michigan Avenue Main & Exchange, Exchange, Michigan, to Main.
Niagara Street Main & Exchange, Main, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda Street to City Line.
Seneca Street Main & Seneca, Seneca to City Line and Cazenovia Park.
Sycamore Street Washington & Exchange, Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line.
West Avenue Main & Exchange, Main, Niagara, Carolina, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, to NYC Belt Line.
William Street Main & N Division, Main, Eagle, Michigan, William to City Line.

1904 (Post-Pan American Expo)

The Pan-American Exposition was held from May 1 through November 2, 1901.[3]

Route name Roads travelled Base service Night service?
Best Main & S Division, S Division, Ellicott, Tupper, Elm, Best, Walden, to NYCRR. 10 min no
Broadway Cleveland & Buffalo Dock, Washington, Broadway to City Line. 7.5 min yes
Cazenovia Triangle (Abbott & South Park), Abbott, Cazenovia to Seneca. 20 min no
Chicago
see Sycamore/Chicago
Clinton Main & Clinton, Main, Eagle, Clinton to City Line. RETURN trips Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, N Division, Main to Clinton. 7.5 min no
Connecticut Belt Line Main & Niagara, Niagara, Connecticut, Plymouth, Allen, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. 10 min no
East Ferry Erie Depot, Exchange, Main, E Ferry, Bailey, Delavan, to City Line. 9 min
to Belt Line
18 min
to City Line
no
East Utica Foot of Main St, Main, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Genesee. 18 min no
Elmwood Hertel & Elmwood, Elmwood, Allen, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exhange to Main. 6 min yes
Elk/South Park Washington & South Division, Washington, Perry, Elk, Abbott, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill 7 min yes
Forest Belt Main & Niagara, Niagara, Forest, Delaware, Delavan, Harvard, Balcom, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. 9 min
Genesee Pine Hill Loop, Genesee, Main, Perry, Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill. 6 min yes
Grant Main & Niagara, Niagara, Carolina, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road to City Line. 7.5 min
to Grant/Military
15 min
to City Line.
no
Herman Main & S Division, S Division, Spring, William, Mortimer, Peckham, Smith, Herman to Best. RETURN trips via Herman, Smith, Peckham, Mortimer, William, Spring, Swan, to Main. 14 min no
Hertel Main & Hertel, Hertel to Tonawanda. 20 min no
Hoyt Michigan & Exchange, Exchange, Main, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes, Forest, Hoyt, Hampshirt, Winter, Brayton, Seventeenth, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Hudson, Virginia, Main, Seneca, Michigan to Exchange. 6 yes
Jefferson Main & Jefferson, Jefferson, Swan, Bailey, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill. Trips after 8:30pm operate only to Emslie & Swan. After 8:30, use Elk/South Park cars between Emslie & Limestone Hill. 8 Min yes
Kensington Erie Depot, Exhange, Main, E Ferry, Grider, Kensington to Bailey 18 min no
Main Docks, Main St to City Line. 3 min yes
Michigan Main & South Division, S Division, Washington, Seneca, Ellicott, Exchange, Michigan, E Ferry to Main. RETURN E Ferry, Masten, North St., Michigan, Exchange to Main. 10 min no
Niagara Main & Niagara, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, to City Line. 4 min yes
Seneca Washington & Seneca, Seneca, City Line, Seneca, Main, S Division, Washington to Seneca. 7 min yes
Sycamore/Chicago Walden & Hoerner, Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, S Division, Chestnut, Swan, Chicago, Perry, Hamburg to Erie RR. 10 min yes
(Hoerner to Exchange)
Utica Belt Line Main & Niagara, Niagara, Ferry, Chenango, Utica, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. 9 min no
William Main & Eagle, Eagle, Michigan, William, City Line, William, Michigan, N Division, Main to Eagle. 6 min yes
Zoo (Parkside) Terrace & Main, Main, Florence, Parkside to Belt Line. 15 no

1916 (post WW I)

[4]

After the amalgamation of a number of streetcar companies during the early start of the 20th century, the International Railway Company began assignment of route numbers to virtually all of its routes it operated. Some truncated versions (such as "Abt" for Abbott Road, and "Bst" for Best Street) remained, but were slowly assigned numbers, similar to the current route numbers used in today's NFTA Metro routes.

Route name Route travelled Base service Night service?
Abt - Abbott Abbott & Woodside, Abbott, Bailey, Seneca, Swan to Erie, returning Erie, S. Division, Chestnut, Swan, Seneca, Bailey, Abbott to Woodside. 10 min service stops 1:00am
Bst - Best Street Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Tupper, Elm, Best, Walden to Lathrop, returning Walden, Best, Elm, Swan to Erie. 10 min. service stops 12:15am
4-Broadway South Division & Ellicott, Ellicott, N Division, Washington, Broadway, City Line, Broadway, Washington to S Division. 5 min yes
2-Clinton Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, Clinton, City Line, Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, N Division, Washington, Swan to Erie. 8 min yes
Con-Connecticut Niagara & Connecticut, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Cottage, Days Park, Allen, Main, Virginia, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Normal, Connecticut to Niagara. service stops 12:00mid
12-East Utica Ferry & Genesee, Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, Utica, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exchange, Main, Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, Ferry to Genesee. 6.5 min
5:30-8:25am
2:05-7:30pm
yes
E-Elmwood Exchange & Michigan, Exchange, Ellicott, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood to Hertel, returning Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca, Michigan, to Erie and NYC depots. 4 min yes
11-East Ferry/Elk Delavan & Preston, Delavan, Bailey, Ferry, Main, Perry, Michigan, Elk to Seneca, returning same route. 6 min
a.m. rush hours
10 min
mid-day
5 min
p.m. rush hours.
service stops 1:00am
13-Kensington Bailey & City Line, Bailey, Kensington, Grider, Ferry, Main, Seneca, Pearl, Terrace, Main, Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey to City Line. 6 min
a.m. rush hours
10 min
mid-day
5 min
p.m. rush hours.
service stops 2:08am
G-Genesee Perry & Main, Perry, Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill, returning, Genesee, Main to Perry. 8 min yes
3-Grant Shelton Square, Niagara, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood, Tracy, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, Skillen, Vulcan, returning, Vulcan, Skillen, Military, Grant, Hampshire, Plymouth, York, West, Tracy, Elmwood, Chippewa, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. 6 min yes
7-Hoyt/Seneca Forest & Hoyt, Hoyt, Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, Vermont, 17th, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Cottage, Virginia, Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca to City Line, returning, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes to Forest. 5.5 min yes
Jef-Jefferson Main & Jefferson, Jefferson, Swan to Emslie, returning Swan, Jefferson to Main. During rush-periods, cars continue from Swan and Emslie to Smith, to Abbott Road. 7.5 min
Main to Emslie
10 min
rush hours
yes
8-Main Ohio & Main, Main to City Line, returning same route. 4 min yes
5-Niagara Shelton Square, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Vulcan, River Road to Grand Island Ferry, returning River Road, Vulcan, Niagara, Grace, Tonawanda, Hertel, Niagara, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. 8 min
to City Line
4 min
to Grace.
yes
6-Sycamore Swan & Washington, Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line, returning Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, S Division, Ellicott to Swan. 8 min yes
10-West Utica/South Park Limestone Hill, South Park, Triangle, Abbott Road, Elk, Michigan, Perry, Main, W Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara, returning Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Massachusetts, Brayton, Utica, Main, Perry, Michigan, Elk, Abbott Road, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill. 8 min no
1-William Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, William to City Line, returning William, Michigan, North Division, Washington, Swan to Erie. 6.5 min no
9-Zoo/Kenmore Main & Seneca, Main, Florence, Parkside, Hertel, Virgil, Kenmore to Delaware Av, returning Kenmore, Virgil, Hertel, Parkside, Florence, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exchange to Main. 10 min service stops 12:30am

1935 (late-depression years)

[5]

Shortly after 1935, major changes were becoming evident, with elimination of streetcar service on virtually all west-side lines, including (from west to east) 5-Niagara, 3-Grant, 7-Hoyt and 20-Elmwood streetcars, and (from north to south) 10-West Utica, and 22-Connecticut streetcars.

Post-1940, the only streetcar that crossed Main Street, continuing westbound, was the 23-Fillmore/Hertel car operating between South Park Avenue in South Buffalo and Tonawanda Street using a loop over Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara and Hertel.

Route name Route travelled Destination Signs Night service?
1-William From North Division & Ellicott, on Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, William to the City Line. Returning, on William, Michigan, North Division to Ellicott. William (both directions) yes
2-Clinton From North Division & Ellicott, on Ellicott, Michigan, Clinton to City Line. Returning, on Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, North Division to Ellicott. Clinton (both directions) yes
3-Grant From Shelton Square, on Niagara, Franklin, Chippawa, Elmwood, Tracy, West Ave, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, Skillen to Vulcan. Returning Skillen, Military Road, Grant, Hampshire, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Hudson, West Ave, Tracy, Elmwood, Chippawa, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. Skillen or Hertel (outbound)
Shelton Square (inbound)
yes
Hertel-Shelton Square only
4-Broadway From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Broadway to City Line. Returning, on Broadway, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. Broadway (both directions) yes
5-Niagara From Shelton Square, on Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, Vulcan to River Road. Returning, on Vulcan, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. Riverside or Grace (outbound)
Shelton Square (inbound)
yes
6-Sycamore From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line. Returning on Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. Sycamore (both directions) yes
7-Hoyt From Terrace and Franklin, on Franklin, Chippawa, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, 14th, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes, Forest to Hoyt, returning on Hoyt, Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, 17th, Jersey, York, Plymouth, Cottage, Elmwood, Chippawa, Franklin, Seneca, Pearl, to Terrace. Terrace (inbound)
Hoyt (outbound)
no
8-Main From D, L & W Depot, on Ohio, Illinois, Perry, Main to City Line, returning on Main to D, L & W Depot. City Line (outbound)
DL&W Depot (inbound)
yes
9-Kenmore (Zoo) From DL&W depot, on Ohio, Illinois, Perry, Main, Florence, Parkside, Hertel, Virgil to Virgil loop at Kenmore Avenue. Returning, Virgil, Hertel, Parkside, Florence, Main to DL&W depot. Kenmore (outbound)
DL&W Depot (inbound)
no
10-West Utica
Sundays, see route 11
From Court & Main, on Main, West Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara, returning Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, Utica, Main, Huron, Pearl, Court to Main. West Utica (outbound)
Court Street (inbound)
no
11-East & West Utica
Weekdays, see route 10, 12
From Ferry and Niagara, on Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, West Utica, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Bailey (Wende Loop), returning East Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, East Utica, West Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara. West Utica (westbound)
East Utica (eastbound)
no
12-East Utica
Sundays, see route 11
From Terrace and Main, on Main, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Bailey (Wende Loop), returning East Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, East Utica, Main, Seneca, Pearl, Terrace to Main. East Utica (outbound)
Terrace (inbound)
no
13-Kensington From Shelton Square, on Main, East Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey to Rounds, returning Bailey, Kensington, Grider, East Ferry, Main, Huron, Pearl, Niagara to Main. Shelton Square (inbound)
Kensington (outbound)
yes
14-Abbott Road From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Seneca, Smith, Abbott Road to Woodside, returning Abbott, Smith, Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. Abbott Road (both directions) no
15-Seneca From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Seneca to City Line, returning Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. Seneca (both directions) yes
16-South Park From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Perry, Michigan, Elk, Abbott Road, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill, returning South park, Triangle, Abbott Road, Elk, Michigan, Perry, Washington, Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. South Park (both directions) yes
18-Jefferson From Main and Jefferson, on Jefferson, Swan to Larkin Loop, returning Swan, Jefferson, to Main and Jefferson loop. Jefferson (both directions) yes
19-Bailey From Broadway Car House (Broadway & Greene) on Broadway, Bailey, Seneca to Seneca Yard, returning Seneca, Bailey, Broadway to Greene. Bailey (both directions) yes, with exception of 1.75 hour gap between cars between 2:15 & 4:00am
20-Elmwood From Michigan and Exchange, on Exchange, Ellicott, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood to Hinman, returning Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca, Michigan to Exchange. Exchange Depot (inbound)
Hinman or Hertel (outbound)
yes
21-Michigan/Forest From Michigan and Seneca, on Seneca, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, Ferry, Main, Harvard, Delavan, Delaware, Forest to Niagara, returning Forest, Delaware, Delavan, Linwood, Balcom, Main, Ferry, Michigan to Seneca. Michigan (southbound)
Forest (northbound)
no
22-Connecticut From Niagara and Connecticut, on Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Cottage, Days Park, Allen to Main. Returning, on Allen, Wadsworth, 14th, Connecticut to Niagara. Connecticut (both directions) no
23-Fillmore/Hertel From Hertel and Tonawanda, on Hertel, Main, Fillmore, North Parade, East Parade, Genesee, Fillmore, Smith to Abbott Road. Returning, on Abbott Road, Elk, Smith, Fillmore, Genesee, East Parade, North Parade, Main, Hertel, Hertel, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Hertel to Tonawanda. Fillmore (southbound)
Hertel (northbound)
yes
24-Genesee From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill. Returning, Genesee, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. Genesee/Pine Hill (outbound)
Genesee (inbound)
yes

Later half of the 1930s (the start of the decline of streetcars)

Shortly after 1935, the removal of streetcar lines became more evident after the introduction of new routes being operated with buses, instead of introducing new streetcar lines.

The first group of streetcar routes that reappeared as bus routes were the westside lines, easy to explain with the narrowness of the streets and their zigzagging over the courses of many streets. The routes that fell to bus service include:

In addition, elsewhere:

1940s & 1950s (the last decade of streetcar service)

[6]

In 1941, four streetcar lines ended service.

After these dates, World War II had set in, creating a six-year gap in the escalation of lost streetcar routes, due to the shortage of manpower to fix the newly implemented buses, and from the scarcity of precious metal that was being used in wartime production of supplies.

At this time, the International Railway Company encouraged the riding public to return to the use of streetcars and support them in their cooperation with the war cause.

In 1947 and 1948, removal of streetcar service began again.

In 1950, the final six streetcar routes ended service, replaced immediately by buses.

After the end of passenger service, the Niagara Frontier Transit Corporation spent approximately six months removing the remaining 175 streetcars from the Cold Springs and Broadway streetcar barns over the remaining streetcar trackage on Broadway, Fillmore Avenue, Main Street and Hertel to the Military car barn where the outer bodies were removed and burned.[7]

The streetcar tracks were usually covered up with asphalt, and occasionally during major road work, construction crews may dig up remains of tracks that have been buried under mere inches or feet for the past fifty years.

At the present time, Main Street (NYS 5) is undergoing extensive reconstruction of the roadbed and in areas of roadway that were not dug up during the construction of the Metro Rail line (using tunnel boring instead), the tracks are being brought back to the surface and dismantled.

Metro Rail (1985-present)

Main article: Buffalo Metro Rail

Though termed a "light rail subway", the Metro Rail is worthy of mention in that the portion operating in Downtown Buffalo from the Theater to Erie Canal Harbor stations operates similar to a normally run streetcar service.

The route originates in Downtown Buffalo on Main Street at Erie Canal Harbor Station (previously Auditorium), just north of Scott and Hanover Streets. The light rail line continues north, then north-east along Main Street, stopping at 6 above-ground stations in Downtown Buffalo, then 8 underground stations (like a subway) until arriving at University Station, located a brief distance northeast of Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Explanation of abbreviated businesses

DL&W refers to Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad

NYC refers to New York Central Railroad

See also

References

  1. 90 Years of Buffalo Railways, date unknown, William Gordon
  2. Street Guide of Buffalo, NY, 1898, Volksfruend Press
  3. Pilkeys's Street and Street Railway Guide, 1904, C.J. Pilkey Co.
  4. Greater Buffalo's Official Street and Streetcar Service Guide', 1916, C.J. Pilkey Co.
  5. The Green Guide of Buffalo and Vicinity, 1935 Edition, Empire State News Corp.
  6. The Last Decade of Buffalo Streetcars, date unknown, Harold Ahlstrom (National Railway Historical Society, Inc.
  7. Images of America-Buffalo's Historic Streetcars and Buses, 2008, D. David Bregger
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