New York State Governor Harriman Long Island Rail Road Investigation Reports

The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) was built in 1835. It was taken over by the Pennsylvania Railroad in May 1900; it later went bankrupt as people purchased cars and trucks and stopped riding the train to New York City. Between 1949 and 1966, years of litigation and plans of reorganization were developed until the LIRR was finally taken over by the State of New York in 1966.

This series consists of records developed by the Long Island Transit Authority, the Public Service Commission, the United States District Court, and the Executive Chamber. These records were sent to Governor W. Averell Harriman's office between 1955 and 1957.

The investigation reports of the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) were developed by the Public Service Commission per a resolution by the State Legislature on February 12, 1954. The investigation reports were submitted in November 1957 and consist of two binders, labeled Appendix I and Appendix II. The binders include reports on the investigation of contracts between the LIRR and other railroads, and give suggestions to help the railroad get out of debt.

Also among the records is the United States District Court Plan of Reorganization by LIRR, Pennsylvania Railroad, and American Contract and Trust Company Analysis of Plan for Prompt Rehabilitation of the Long Island Railroad by Col. Sidney H. Bingham in 1951 and the US District Court amendments to the plan of reorganization in 1953. There are also notes by Governor Harriman's Executive Chamber staff on potential comments Governor Harriman could make on the LIRR and its reorganization.

This series was transferred to Syracuse University from Governor Harriman in 1959, and was transferred to the New York State Archives in 2006. It was accessioned in October 2012.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.