Map of the Rochester Subway system. Photo courtesy of Animatus Studio
BY DEB AND TIM SMITH
In our continuing pursuit of intriguing local history stories, we’ve got our hands on one that we feel will be news to many of our readers. Raise your hand if you knew there was a three-decade period when, in traversing the Rochester area, one of your options would have been to take the subway!
Yep, it’s true. From 1927 through 1956, Rochester had a subway system that ran from the northwest side of the city diagonally across town to the southeast. If you were residing in Sentinel-Land back then, your closest subway point of entry would have been at the end-of-the-line location at Rowlands Loop which was located about 1200 feet north of Monroe Ave, basically near today’s on/off ramps for Rt. 590.
And speaking of “The End of the Line,” there is a new documentary retelling the tale which makes its debut on February 7, at The Little Theatre on East Ave. This new release is actually an updated version of the original film which was produced at Animatus Studio located on Winthrop St. not far from the Little.
Animatus has been around since 1990 and is owned and operated by Fredrick Armstrong. If you’ve been around long enough to remember that ubiquitous House of Guitars claymation Christmas commercial that used to dominate the holiday airwaves and still plays every year, that creative masterpiece was produced by Animatus.
This award-winning documentary, originally produced in 1994, tells the little-known story of the rail line that operated in a former section of the Erie Canal from 1927 until its abandonment in 1956. Produced by filmmakers Fredrick Armstrong and James P. Harte, “The End of the Line – Rochester’s Subway” recounts the tale of an American city’s bumpy ride through the twentieth century, from the perspective of a little engine that could, but didn’t. A fan-favorite for many years, this film has aired on WXXI and the History Channel.
But something new has been in the works over the last 5 years… a complete digital restoration in HD from the ground up.
The original team from Animatus Studio has reunited to bring this story into the 21st Century with Michael Champlin of DeBergerac Productions. The entire program has been remastered with enhanced audio, restored footage, and newly recreated graphics.
In this updated version, the filmmakers return to the abandoned subway tunnel, as well as visiting the New York Museum of Transportation and the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. [Both of these museums are in Rush and have been covered in previous (Word)Smiths articles.] The resulting film covers what has changed since 1994 and reflects on why the subway still holds so much interest today.
The result is a fresh, high-quality version that highlights Rochester’s unique place in American transit history. “The End of the Line – Rochester’s Subway 2.0” offers both longtime fans and new viewers a vivid look at how one city’s ambitions reflected those of many across the country.
“The End of the Line – Rochester’s Subway 2.0” premieres at The Little Theatre on February 7, 2026. Doors open at 6:00 pm, screening at 7:00 pm. The showing will be followed by a Q & A session at the theatre and then an after party at Three Heads Brewery on Atlantic Avenue.
The Little Theatre is located at 240 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604. Tickets ($12.00 including service charge) are currently available for pre-order on the Little’s website at www.thelittle.org.
