Swains Branch
On August 2, 1963, RG&E purchased the canal prism from Genesee Junction south to the New York State Thruway bridge from Penndel Corporation. On December 11, 1963, RG&E purchased the corridor of the former Genesee Valley Canal and Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad, Rochester Branch, from Wadsworth Junction in Livingston County south to Hinsdale in Cattaraugus County as well as the corridor of the former Swains Branch Railroad from Nunda Junction in Livingston County to the town of Grove in Allegany County from Penndel Corporation for $137,500 on a quit claim deed.
In February 2000, RG&E sold the above-mentioned parcels to the State of New York, but retained the rights to utilize the property for present and future utility and communications transmission and distribution purposes, above ground, on ground and underground.
The Nunda Junction to Swains railroad, locally called the Swains Branch, used the bed of the former 18.5-mile, 3-foot gauge Rochester Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad that was built in 1874 between Mt. Morris and Ross Junction, at the time that the Genesee Valley Canal was still in operation. In 1908, this rail line was abandoned between the village of Nunda and Swains.
Train on Swains Branch South of Village of Nunda
