The Arcade & Attica Railroad is a shortline railroad that hauls freight between Arcade and North Java, New York. The railroad originally connected Arcade with Attica, however the right of way from North Java north to Attica was abandoned in 1957 due to flooding on the Tonawanda Creek. The principal business of the ARA is handling agricultural products (soy beans, corn, and fertilizer), lumber, dairy feed, and other commodities between Arcade and North Java. ARA continues to use its GE 80-ton centercab switcher no. 113 as primary freight power, and often will double-head 113 with its GE 65-tonner no. 112 to make switching operations easier at both ends of the line. The freight service operates as needed. The ARA also runs passenger excursion trains from May to October on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Passengers can enjoy a ride from Arcade to Curriers Station and back on restored 1920s-era Boonton passenger coaches, and an open gondola, pulled by the historic Arcade & Attica 18 (currently undergoing a full rebuild) or 1940s- and '50s-era diesel engines. History The Arcade and Attica Railroad was the latest in a long succession of railroads planned and built through the Tonawanda Valley in Wyoming County. In 1836 the Attica and Sheldon Railroad was proposed, but no construction ever took place. In 1852 the Attica and Alleghany Valley Railroad was incorporated to build a narrow gauge railway from Attica, through Arcade, to the Pennsylvania state line. in 1853 the contract was let for construction and most of the road was graded between Attica and Arcade. In 1855 construction was discontinued and the property was sold at foreclosure on February 2, 1856. On February 28, 1870, the Attica and Arcade Railroad was organized and began purchasing the right of way with construction of the line scheduled for completion by October 1, 1876. The railroad went bankrupt in 1873 without ever completing the railroad. On April 5, 1880, the Tonawanda Valley Railroad was incorporated with major financial backing from the Erie Railroad. The company planned to build a , narrow gauge line from Attica, through Curriers Corners, to Sardinia to connect with the Buffalo, New York, and Pennsylvania Railroad. On September 11, 1880, the first train ran on the line from Attica to Curriers Corners. In October 1880 the Tonawanda Valley Extension Railroad was organized to extend the line from Curriers to Sardinia. By that winter the company changed