| Besides the tremendous impact of construction and opening of the Erie Canal, it would be difficult to discuss the incredible growth and development of New York (a State that increased in population from 1820 to 1900, from 1.4 million people to almost 11 million people) without highlighting the role played by railroads. Starting in the 1830s, throughout the length and breadth of the Empire State, railroads large and small tied together city and farm (later suburbs), bringing foodstuffs and raw materials toward the cities, and in turn, bringing manufactured goods and summer vacationers out to the country. The list of railroads that operated in and through New York included such important carriers as the New York Central, Erie, Long Island, Pennsylvania, New Haven, Lackawanna, Lehigh Valley, Ontario and Western, Delaware and Hudson, Rutland, Boston and Maine, and others (including smaller regional and shortline carriers). Just about every major and most minor cities in the State were served by one or more railroads. For example, the small city of Elmira (Chemung County) was served at one time by four major railroads (Erie, Lackawanna, Lehigh Valley, and Pennsylvania). While only three of these "name" railroads still operate in New York (the Long Island, Delaware and Hudson, and Boston and Maine, albeit with new owners and/or operators), other railroads now operate over much of the trackage of the other "fallen flags." And even though New York, as other states, experienced railroad downgrades and abandonments, much of the State (including all cities above 50,000 in population) is still served in some fashion by railroads. Railroad Firsts and Milestones in New York StateThe list of railroad firsts and milestones in New York is both wide and deep, and includes the following:
- In 1831, the first successful steam railroad running regularly scheduled service in the 11 miles between Albany and Schenectady (the Mohawk and Hudson Rail Road, later to become part of the mighty New York Central System).
- In 1850, the first telegraph line along a railroad right-of-way (Erie Railroad).
- In 1885, the first to use "piggyback" freight service, in this case hauling farm wagons on flat cars (Long Island Rail Road).
- In 1893, the all-time speed record (until that time) of 112.5 mph was set outside of Batavia, in Genesee County (New York Central).
- In 1903, after a series of horrible train accidents due to locomotive steam and smoke, legislation is enacted prohibiting the operation of steam locomotives on Manhattan Island (New York County) south of the Harlem River after June 30, 1908. This law spurred the electrification of New York City's rail trackage and construction of Pennsylvania Station and Grand Central Terminal.
- Also in 1903, the New York State Legislature created the Brooklyn Grade Crossing Elimination Commission and directed it to fully grade-separate a number of railroads and rapid transit lines in Brooklyn and Queens. More than one hundred years later, virtually all passenger rail lines in New York City (including the subway, LIRR, Metro-North, Amtrak, and the Staten Island Railway) and most freight rail lines are grade-separated. New York City is unique among major American cities in that much of its necessary passenger rail infrastructure is underground and/or grade-separated. Outside of New York City, major grade-separation projects have been accomplished on Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and in such upstate cities as Elmira, Rochester, and Schenectady.
- In 1904, the first electric underground (subway) and first 4-track express heavy rail line, Interborough Rapid Transit - IRT - in New York City. While the first underground passenger rail tunnel actually opened in 1897 in Boston, it was for a street railway (i.e., trolley) line, not a subway line.
- In 1905, two firsts for the LIRR - using an all-steel passenger car and installing extensive main line electrification (in 1927, the LIRR went to an all-steel passenger car fleet). Today, 8 of the LIRR's 12 branches are electric and the other 4 are diesel. Much of Metro-North's trackage is also all-electric.
- In 1906, construction of the world's largest roundhouse in Oneonta, Otsego County (Delaware and Hudson). The D+H also built one of the first ultramodern yard facilities in Colonie (Albany County) in 1911.
- In 1908, opening of the first interstate underground heavy rail line (Hudson and Manhattan Railroad, between New York City and New Jersey, today's PATH).
- In 1932, the first publicly operated heavy rail line, the Independent Subway System - IND - in New York City. In 1940, the City purchased the other two privately-owned subways (Brooklyn Manhattan Transit - BMT - and the IRT), thereby creating an integrated subway system.
- In 1966, the first public takeover of a commuter railroad (the LIRR, which was purchased by New York State from the Pennsylvania Railroad).
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