The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-06

AnnihahSaea ef Spaee-rhe Legislative Rail-
rod Exeursson-Through to Niagara In
EAgha Hours.
We give in another column the telegraphic
particulars of the Legislative railroad excur-
sion, on Saturday, from Albany to Niagara
Falls, including brief sketch Of the speeches
made at the entertainment at the latter place.
There are many points of interest in the con-
solidation of the railroads which form the CEN
trail line from Albany to Buffalo. some ofwhich
points are alluded to by the speakers at the
dinner at the Falls; and others which occur to
us might have been mentioned. Ex-Governor
Hunt, it will be noticed, states that within his
own experience, seven days and nights were re-
quired by the stages to accomplish the journey
from Albany to Niagara Falls, which time was
now reduced by the railroads to about eight
hours 1t is probably within the recollection
of many persons among us when two weeks or
more were occupied in the same journey.
When the Erie canal was opened from Albany
to Buffalo, in the fall of 1925. the lines of
packet boats placed on the line from Schenecta-
accomplishing the distance (three hundred and
thirty-fve miles) in four days and nights.
or ninety-six hours, and the time by mail
stages and post coaches from Albany to Buffalo,
was reduced to ~ hours when the roads were
in good order. Subsequently the journey was
sometimes accomplished in about so hours, in
stages.
The central chain of railroads from Albany to
Buffalo was chartered under various com
panies Incorporated by the Legislature, from
1926 to 1886. The first company chartered was
the Mohawk and Hudson, now the Albany and
Schenectady, in 1926. commenced in 1880 and
opened in 1882; the last, the Attica and Buffalo
part of the Buffalo and Rochester chartered in
1886. and opened in 1912. Thus, about twelve
years were occupied in constructing the entire
line from Albany to Buffalo. Most of the rails
on these roads have been since relaid, and there
is double track on most of the lines. The
cost of the chain and its adjuncts. now en-
braced in the consolidated company will ex-
coed twenty millions OF dollars; being about
three times the cost of the original Erie canal,
and nearly the estimated cost of the enlarged
canal when completed In comparison with
the New York and Erie railroad. the central
chain will be about two-thirds the cost Of the
latter in amount as it is in extent in miles.
The Albany and Schenectady railroad, under
the name Of the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad
Company, was the first railroad charter grant
ed by the State, viz, in April, 1926. As we
have stated the work was commenced in 1880,
and the road opened in 1882. A double track
was completed in 1888. 1t was originally con-
structed with an inclined plane at each end Of
the road. 1t was then found to have cost,
for the sixteen miles, ST, 100 600 OF upwards of
$4,000 per mile for the double track. The
stock sold at one time for 80 per cent
premium, but subsequently went down to rs
cents on the dollar. and the road in unskilful
hands. was on the point of being abandoned.
At this juncture men of enterprise took charge
of it, and reconstructed the work. The in
clined planes were abandoned. and various
other improvements made. The company re-
laid the road with q heavy rail, and the re-
ceipts, which in 1843 were only $60,545, had
risen in 1847 to $164,374, since which time the
company has paid regular semi-annual divi-
dends to the stockholders The different roads
on the line west of Schenectady have generally
been profitable, from their respective openings.
Between the central line. in connection with
the Hudson River Railroad and the New York
and Erie Railroad, there will exist strong
competition for the passengers between New
York and the Lakes; but it is not probable chat
much better time than twelve hours. on an
average, between New York city and Buffalo,
can be made by any other lines in existence. or
to be constructed. As the central line is the
only route between the Atlantic and the
Western waters which avoids mountainous
regions it may probably challenge competition
for the transportation of passengers. As to
freight, these railroads cannot be expected to
contend successfully with the cheaper transpor-
tation by the enlarged Erie Canal and the Hud-
son River. The Canal Commissioners, however,
in their last annual report, express the opinion
that the canal revenues suffered last year to
the amount of $780, 700, in consequence of the
taking off the State tolls imposed on the CEN
trail railroads parallel with the canal previous
to December l. 1851.
The following annual amounts were paid to
the State by the railroad companies, for tolls
on freight transported there con up to the LIST De-
cember, 1851 wiz
Years. Tolls paid BY Railroads.
l645. .... Observation-Disclosures. $10,458
lo4o. Observation-Disclosures. 23, 202
!o4I.... OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 38,946
lo4c. Observation-Disclosures. $3.50
lo4S. Observation-Disclosures. LIS, 534
!oov. ..'................ l36,4Z5
1851. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. l63 ,237
Total Observation-Disclosures. 1896 1862