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Image of Erie Railroad
Credit: Courtesy of Dan Cupper
Built as a coal hauler, the Tioga Railroad became part of the Erie Railroad system, which promoted itself as a heavy haul freight railroad linking New York and Chicago. Its original construction as a 6-foot-gauge railroad, more than a foot wider than 15 inches wider than the standard gauge, gave it generous clearances that allowed it to haul oversized pieces of machinery and other loads.