Livonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad

03/19/2026

03/19/2026

🚂 Join Our Team in Lakeville, NY

The Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad is hiring a Conductor in Lakeville, NY.

If you’re looking for a hands-on role in the railroad industry and want to be part of a team that keeps freight moving safely and efficiently, this could be a great opportunity. We’re looking for someone who is dependable, safety-minded, and ready to be part of daily rail operations.

Apply today and learn more here:
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=83ee37c2-18d0-45c0-8ed1-bc41eaf2ae1b&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=942155&source=CC2&lang=en_US

03/17/2026

🍀 We gave this one a little St. Patrick’s Day spirit… 🍀
LA&L 433 on the job in Avon, NY — originally captured on December 31, 2025, switching Kraft and Barilla on New Year’s Eve before tying it down for the day.

Snow, holidays, or anything in between — the work doesn’t stop, and neither do we.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at the LA&L! 🍀🚂

📸 Photo Credit: Mike Stellpflug

03/16/2026

🚂 On the way to the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS) today, we looked out the window and saw something pretty familiar.

That’s our Lakeville, NY rail yard — and just beside it, the Greater Rochester Transload & Logistics Park taking shape.

Seeing it from 30,000 feet really puts the scale of the project into perspective.

The goal is simple: create new ways for businesses across Western and Central New York to access rail — even if they don’t have track at their facility. Transload service opens the door for manufacturers, plastics processors, construction suppliers, food ingredient distributors, and many others to move freight more efficiently.

03/14/2026

📐 Happy (3.14)!

Precision engineering keeps freight rail moving safely every day.

From wheel rotation to track curvature, railroad engineers rely on π to design the geometry that keeps trains on track.🚂

03/10/2026

🚂 Why Is It Called the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad… If It Doesn’t Go to Livonia?

It’s a question we hear from time to time.

When the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad was founded in 1964, the name was completely literal — the railroad operated about 12 miles of former Erie-Lackawanna branch line connecting the three communities of Livonia, Avon, and Lakeville.

The line itself dates back even further, to the mid-1800s, when railroads first began linking Rochester with the agricultural communities of Livingston County.

In fact, the LA&L only exists today because local citizens stepped in to save it. When Erie-Lackawanna planned to abandon the branch in the early 1960s, a group of local investors raised funds to purchase the line and keep rail service alive.

During the railroad’s early years, passenger excursion trains operated from the former Erie depot in Livonia, using steam locomotives including #17 — the locomotive depicted in the mural that still stands in the village today.

But in 1981, the line into Livonia was abandoned after an aging bridge required major repairs and state funding was not secured. Without the bridge, rail service into the village could no longer continue.

Operations shifted to Lakeville, where the railroad built a team track to continue serving customers, and over time the railroad grew far beyond its original footprint.

Today, the railroad’s line ends just north of Lakeville near Howlett Farms along the Bronson Hill Branch — but Livonia remains part of the railroad’s name and history.

📷 Photos:
• The Livonia mural honoring steam locomotive #17
• The former Livonia depot (now a restaurant)
• Historic map showing the line into Livonia
• The present-day end of track near Lakeville

Did you ever see trains in Livonia or ride one of the early LA&L excursions? We'd love to hear your memories.

02/23/2026

Railroads don’t stop for snow.

With blizzard warnings issued across much of the Northeast, we’re reminded of the dedication and determination it has always taken to keep freight moving through winter’s toughest conditions.

These historic Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad photos capture crews working together to clear snow, maintain the line, and ensure customers stayed connected—no matter the weather. That same commitment to reliability continues today across our network.

Among the equipment shown is LAL caboose No. 2603, which has since been preserved by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Many pieces of former LAL equipment—including locomotives No. 20 and No. 72—now reside there, preserving an important part of Western New York’s railroad heritage.

While snowfall totals may vary across the region, one thing remains constant: railroads continue to operate safely and reliably, delivering the materials that power our economy.

Photo credit: Unknown
Historic equipment preserved by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

02/16/2026

This Presidents Day, we reflect on the leadership, service, and vision that have helped shape our nation.

Since 1964, the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad and its affiliated lines have proudly supported American industry — connecting manufacturers, agricultural producers, and communities across New York and Pennsylvania.

More than 60 years later, that commitment remains unchanged. Proud to serve. Proud to connect.

📷 Photo credit: Mike Stellpflug
LA&L 425 and B&H 422 lead the road train at Papermill Road in Avon, NY on a foggy January 18, 2010.

02/13/2026

Across the LAL family of railroads —

WNYP 1501 leads an Acela trainset through Alfred, NY, en route to Hornell for work at ALSTOM — moving passenger equipment safely and efficiently through winter conditions.

Proud of the teams across our network that make specialized moves like this possible.

01/26/2026

Winter weather can add operating challenges across all transportation modes.

Our MOW and MOE crews remain focused on maintaining track, switches, and equipment to support safe, reliable rail service as operations continue.

We appreciate everyone working through the conditions. Stay safe.