The Burnt Hills and Big Flats was organized to operate remnants of the New York Ontario and Western. The NYO&W petitioned for abandonment in 1957. The BH&BF was formed by local interests (led by Samuel Pinsly) to operate the Scranton Division and Northern Division.
The NYO&W was originally constructed in the late 19th century to connect New York City with Oswego NY on Lake Ontario. Cooperation with the West Shore led to trackage into Weehawken NJ, and to Syracuse NY.
Soon after its creation, the BH&BF joined the DERECO group of railroads (Erie Lackawanna and Delaware and Hudson) as a condition of proposed N&W-C&O merger negotiations. Many D&H trains have been routed over the BH&BF from Scranton PA to Sidney NY due to the lower ruling grade on the BH&BF. The BH&BF serves to link the Lehigh Valley and Central New Jersey with upstate New York and the Delaware and Hudson. The "Alphabeter" currently provides service from Washington DC to Portland ME, via the BH&BF.
Declining service by the Penn Central has led to increased traffic from Syracuse and Utica. A resurgence of anthracite coal use is also occurring due to the Arab oil embargo. A coal fired power plant in Oswego NY is one of the newest BH&BF customers.
BH & BF - N Scale Model
The BH&BF is an N Scale model railroad owned by Steve and Jennie Prevette. N scale is the second most popular scale for model railroaders. The models are 1/160th of full size. The model railroad is setup in a 14 foot by 15 foot bedroom, with a connection to an adjoining bedroom. Total layout space is 14 foot by 19 foot. Construction started in 1982 as a 3 foot by 6 foot portable layout. This original section is still incorporated in the current layout. The current layout has a 4.6 scale mile long main line, representing trackage from Scranton PA to Sidney NY.
Monthly operating sessions are held, with trains run to a schedule. All 200 + freight cars on the layout have assigned destinations to be sent to. A computer program is used to determine destinations, and color coded thumb tacks are placed on the roofs of the cars to designate these destinations.
There are 40 locomotives, all independently controlled using CVP Products "Easy DCC" digital command control. A steam locomotive with sound is used for a passenger fantrip. Sound decoders are being installed in the diesel locomotives, and there are two under layout speakers. "Fast Clocks" are used to schedule train departures and walkie talkies are used for communication with the dispatcher.