New York Lackawanna and Western Railway?

Question

Has anyone ever heard of this railroad / railway??

THE BOOKLET DATED 1887 SAYS ON THE COVER: NEW YORK, LACKAWANNA AND WESTERN RAILWAY. I HAVE THE BOOKLET FOR SALE ON EBAY RIGHT NOW AND WAS TOLD IT IS QUITE RARE?

Answer 1

The NYL&W was indeed a real railroad, it is only that it disappeared well before the 20th century. The railroad was built in the 1870s by Jay Gould (the rail baron) to connect Binghamton with Buffalo, New York so his Wabash Railroad would have a connection with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, a railroad he recently had purchased a major ownership in.

The railroad opened in 1880 and just two years later the Lackawanna leased it to complete its historic New York-Buffalo main line.

So, indeed, that booklet is quite rare and if you are a collector of railroad/historical items and are interested in it, you may want to see if you can get it.

Answer 2

I've heard of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, but never the NYL&W. Are you thinking of the New York, Ontario & Western?

Answer 3

There is an interesting article in the "Buffalonian" newspaper from 1881 about two cows that had a little snack from a car of that railroad at the first link.
Bonds for the railroad are expected to fetch $28.00 at an auction on the second link.
You can buy an actual bond from the railroad at the third link, for $45.00
I'm guessing, since their bonds are going between $25.00 and $50.00 that your document is worth between $10.00 and $25.00.

Answer 4

Go for it.
Worked for NJ Transit and that is Lackawanna and erie
Lots of history
Take it and do what you can.