The Columbus & Erie Railroad was "paper railroad" incorporated by the Erie Railroad in New York State on September 5, 1905 to construct a low-grade cut-off between Niobe, NY and Columbus, PA. The line was 13.2 miles long, with 11.6 miles in Pennsylvania. The line was 4 miles longer than the original, built in 1861 by the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, but was 100 feet lower and reduced the ruling grade from 1% to 0.2% eastbound and 0.3% westbound. The line ran south of the original line through the town of Lottsville, PA.
The C&E and original main line formed a double-tracked line between Niobe and Columbus. Early operations along the C&E were done in "reverse": westbound trains were run along the C&E while eastbound trains took the original main line. In 1932 traffic control was instituted and trains could run in both directions on both tracks.
The Columbus & Erie Railroad was officially merged into the Erie Railroad on December 22, 1941. The line still exists, though the original main line was taken out of service on April 24, 1977 and abandoned in 1981.