Albany/Schenectady Area Trolleys

Two Highlights from a Web Site Detailing History in Upstate NY

Chock full of historical info and photos, maps and “trips in the field” - this site details history on railroads and trolleys in the area, Native Americans settlement in the area as well as how Glacier Flooding created the landscape.

The before and after is much better now!

Scroll to the bottom of the page

Trolley Bridge - Then and Now  Schenectady, NY

Interactive Map 

1924 Trolley Lines in the Albany/Schenectady Area

Interactive Map of Interurbans in the Albany/Schenectady Area- 1924 -

History Tidbits Home Page >

U.S. Railroads and Interurbans - YouTube Gems

U.S. Railroad History Map 1830 - 1990s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8lX5A2q-Eo

Nicely made short documentary

Why The U.S. Has The Worst Public Transit System

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACEaFnPSSDA

Interurban Railway Systems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_7E9SLXVV0

Top Notch Investigative Journalism

“creating a whole new mindset... eliminate rail alternatives.. GM hit list”

Historical Maps of Connecticut Railroads and Trolleys

A compilation of Connecticut historical railroad and trolley maps. Thumbnail navigation provides easy visual access to a variety of online maps and historical info.

Article >

Retracing Abandoned Railroads and Trolleys

Trail Signs and Historical Maps

My latest projects have involved retracing the Right Of Way’s (ROWs) of railroads and trolleys in the vicinity of where I grew up in upstate NY. Historical Topo Maps are of course consulted and detailed satellite maps are a great tool for finding the remnants of these abandoned lines in today’s world. Often, when zooming in on satellite views, it is amazing to see how easy it is to follow the ROW that way.

Once out in the field, it is nice to find Kiosks and Trail Signage that details the history behind trail and the scenery you can expect to see along the way.

Simple infographics from yesteryear do a wonderful job of fusing map info with related visuals of landmarks.

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Check out the various early railroads and trolleys documented and the large array of maps provided. (Schenectady Railway, Saratoga's Electric Railways, Saratoga & Schulyerville Railroad)

Visit Site >

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