History

The Kanona and Prattsburgh Railroad was an independent, short-line railroad that ran 11. 5 miles between its connection with the Erie Railroad at Kanona to Prattsburgh.

The original company was incorporated on April 2, 1886.  On April 13, 1897 the company was reorganized as the Kanona and Prattsburgh Railway.

 
Undated tickets on the Prattsburgh Railways

On March 9, 1917 the Kanona and Prattsburgh Railway was sold at foreclosure and was renamed as the Prattsburgh Railway.  Passenger service was discontinued in 1927 and freight service stopped in 1959.  The line was dismantled in 1961.

A 1900 inspection report by the New York State Board of Railroad Commissioners described the road:

KANONA AND PRATTSBURGH RAILROAD.
(Inspected June 6, 1899.)
The Kanona and Prattsburgh Railroad extends from Kanona, on the Rochester Division of the Erie Railroad, to Prattsburgh, a distance of 11.44 miles.
The road is single track, standard gauge, and laid with 60-pound steel rail, connected by angle plates 26 inches in length, with 4 bolts. The ties are 6x8 inches and 8 feet in length, and 15 are laid to each 30-foot rail. The maximum curve is 9 degrees. The maximum grade is 100 feet to the mile. Some of the cuts are narrow, with steep slopes and without sufficient ditches. The embankments are all of fair width. No sub-drainage is used. The ties are oak, chestnut and hemlock, the larger proportion being oak, and there is quite a proportion of decayed ones; 2,000 were renewed in 1898, and 2,500 are provided for 1899. This is not sufficient; 4,000 ties should be put in this season. The ties are very evenly spaced and full spiked; no tie plates are used. The rail in main track and sidings is in fair condition. The angle plates are full bolted and very few bolts loose. The
joints, line and surfacing are medium. The curves appear to have proper elevation. The switches are all point, with rigid stands, and targets fairly well painted; rigid frogs are used. Frogs and guard-rails are not blocked. The track is ballasted with gravel in small quantities. No shims in use. The fences are fairly well kept up. Trees, brush and weeds are cut, and the right of way is generally clean. The track is considerably grass-grown and weedy.
The bridges and open culverts are in fairly good condition. Bridge ties are oak, 6x8 inches and 8 feet in length, and are spaced 18 inches center to center. Guard timbers are 6x8, yellow pine, notched and bolted. A few of the smaller openings have the rails laid directly upon the stringers, without ties. The cattle guards are wooden slat pattern. Stations are in fair condition. Drinking water is not provided. Time table of the road is posted. Agents can furnish checks to points to which they sell tickets. Agents are furnished with lanterns and flags. Stations are clean. Platforms are plank and in good condition.
There is no protection against fire. Whistle posts are erected at proper distance from all highway crossings. There are no mile posts. The equipment consists of one engine weighing 45 tons, 1 coach, 6 box cars and 5 gondolas. The section force consists of 1 foreman and 6 men. The highway crossings are well planked. The crossing signs are of the long board pattern, with proper sized letters.
Recommendations.—That narrow cuts be widened and proper ditches provided; that the openings where rail is laid directly upon the stringers be provided with the proper floor systems; that extensive tie renewals be promptly made.
A copy of this report was sent to the company, with a letter making the recommendations of the Inspector the recommendations of this Board. The president of the company informed the Board that: " I shall send this report to the superintendent of the railway at Prattsburgh, recommending that the suggestions of the inspector be complied with."

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