Rockton Wye was gateway to rest of world

By Bob Cudmore

          A recent column about the Rockton Wye section of Amsterdam prompted this query from Amtrak engineer and rail fan Paul Larner,  “Are you aware of the origin of the name Rockton Wye?”

          A native of Gloversville, Larner is working on a history book about the Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Railroad (F.J. & G.).

The Rockton Wye is the intersection of Clizbe Avenue, Lyon Street, Hewitt Street and Northern Boulevard.  A “wye” in railroad terms is a track configuration resembling a triangle with each point leading to a different route. 

          The F.J. & G. was a traditional railroad linking the cities in its name along with branch lines to Broadalbin and Northville.  In the 1890s, the railroad also established electric trolley lines in Johnstown and Gloversville.   

The electric trolley car came to the Carpet City with the Amsterdam Street Railway Company in 1890.  By 1901, the line expanded to Rockton and some pictures show trolleys with the name Amsterdam & Rockton Street Railway.  In 1902, the line was extended to Hagaman.  Also in 1902, the Amsterdam trolley company was acquired by the F.J. & G.  

Starting in 1911, the three way intersection known as the Rockton Wye was built to connect the F.J. & G. trolley lines that went from the Rockton Wye to Hagaman, Amsterdam’s Vrooman Avenue and Market Street in the city.

Larner wrote, “The track configuration at that point permitted the trolleys to run direct to and from Hagaman via either the original line up Market Street Hill or via Vrooman Avenue and also, by a connecting track, directly around the city, hence the term "belt" line. 

“Stockholders of the railroad had interests in electric power, real estate and industry besides providing local transportation.  Trolleys ran both directions around the "belt" offering the new residents of that area a convenient means of getting to Main Street, their employment, local recreation areas and the world via the New York Central Railroad.  As an aside, those new homes in Rockton would use electricity generated by a company in which the president of the F.J. & G. had a principal interest.”

Larner said there were problems with trolleys that had to climb the severe grade on Vrooman Avenue. 

“One was never quite sure when the car wouldn't be able to make the turn at East Main Street descending, or, equally as dangerous, when the car wouldn't be able to get up the hill, sliding back to East Main,” Larner said.  “Men were employed by the railroad to place sand on the rails when conditions required additional traction.  As an additional safety measure, the cars were equipped with magnetic brakes. 

“By relocating the junction with East Main Street west to Lark Street and using Forbes Street to avoid part of the hill, much of the danger was eliminated.

Some of your most experienced readers may be able to share firsthand accounts of riding that line.” 

The Vrooman Avenue line was abandoned in 1928.  All F.J. & G. electric trolley service ended in 1938, supplanted by bus transportation.  And whether bus service will continue in Amsterdam continues to be a story in the local news today.

“I suppose otherwise the Rockton Wye was unremarkable,” Larner concluded.  “Created as a function of providing trolley transportation for the growing city, it is interesting that the term is being carried on.  The rails embedded in the ground at the location of the wye, the bridge abutments across the creek and the curve from Vrooman into Forbes are reminders of the early days in Amsterdam when you could hop on a trolley and travel to find your future.”

Friday, May 12, 2023-Episode 474-New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan reports on how Harlem was economically developed in the early 1900s.  Jewish financiers joined with Black realtor Phillip Payton and other black businessmen to improve race relations in New York City.

Saturday May 13, 2023-From the Archives-December 17, 2021-Episode 401-Musicians Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle perform songs about the labor union movement in America.

Sunday, May 14, 2023

More about The Rockton Wye

Focus on History-The Rockton Wye was the gateway to the world.

The electric trolley car came to the Carpet City with the Amsterdam Street Railway Company in 1890.  By 1901, the line expanded to Rockton and some pictures show trolleys with the name Amsterdam & Rockton Street Railway.  In 1902, the tracks were extended to Hagaman.

Bob Cudmore "History stories from The Mohawk Valley"

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