Utica & Schenectady RR

Introduction

The Utica & Schenectady was chartered April 29, 1833. Since the railroad paralleled the Erie Canal it was prohibited by the legislature from carrying freight.   Revenue service began August 2, 1836, extending the line of the Albany & Schenectady west from Schenectady along the north side of the Mohawk River opposite the Erie Canal to Utica.   On May 7, 1844 the U&S was authorized to carry freight with some restrictions, and on May 12, 1847 the ban was fully dropped, but the company still had to pay the equivalent in canal tolls to the state. It became part of the NYC Railroad in 1853.