Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-10-23

THE BEGINNING OF TO-DAY'S
GREAT TRUNK SYSTEM.
From Schenectady to AISany-II0w
People wsrs Educated Up tn the
Idea of n Railroad aud
How the Idea Grew.

How the Idsa Grew.
Tho railroads play so important a
part in the comedy. or tragedy. of
human life. says the New York Re-
corder. that it is somewhat difficult to
realize that they haze only existed in
the United States since 1881. For
several years before that time. how
ever. the newspapers had discussed
the subject of railroads. and IN 1912
Mr.. Stevens of Hoboken had advocated
their construction. but nothing prac-
teal had been done until then.
In the Utica Sentinel and Gazette OF
August %. 1925, appeared a letter
signed Improvement" in which the
writer said: ~ intend to show the
probable expense of u single-edged
railroad constructed for horse power
from this village to Albany. with con-
veniences for passing teams
The writer then treats of railroads
historically. and estimates that tho
cost OF single track road from L tica
to Schenectady would be about So. $50
per mile. He also declares that the
whole road could be constructed for
$500, 900. After various attempts and
failures the first railroad called the
Mohawk and Hudson. between Alba
by and Schenectady. was constructed
and opened for traffic in 1881.
All the newspapers Of the time had
much TO say of the new wonder. The
American Railroad Journal of Septem-
Der 10, 1882, said; 1.-The Mohawk and
Hudson Railroad connects the city of
{ Albany with Schenectady. The len tn
is fifteen miles and sixty-nine chain
! The delay and embarrassment results
! ing from the numerous locks and very
circutous course of the great Erie
Canal between these towns Ca canal
which Is. moreover, navigable only
220 days in the year. even when no ac-
cidents occur). induced q company 10
obtain an act of incorporation for the
purpose OF forming a railroad TO SUI
percede the grand canal within one
year from the completion OF that far
famed enterprise. The work was
commenced on August II. 1880, by
the Hon. c. c. Cambreleng. Four
hundred and eighty-three thousand
two hundred and fifteen dollars and
forty-six cents have been and $780,
693 will be, expended in COM letting
the work according to the official re-
port made in the Legislature OF New
York in January, 1882"
Governor Seward rode over the in
FAINT road soon after It's completion and
described his trip in this way: I'VE
arrived at Schenectady at 3 this morn
ing. and Immediately were carried in
post coaches, distance of n mile and
a half, TO the present termination of
the railway. There were in waiting
three large cars, which the passengers
entered. These cars differ not much
as TO the construction of the body from
stage coaches. except that they are
about one-third larger. and have seats
upon the top. The body is set upon
very short springs which cause but
| little elasticity of motion. But the fore
and hind wheels are equal in size
made of iron. and are about two and
half feet in diameter They bave
rims Al inches wide with projection
on the side next tho carriage. which
serves to keep the cars secure upon
the rails. not suffering the wheels to
vary from the track. The car Is di-
vided into two parts by a high. though
not entire partition in the centre. the
door admitting into the forward COM
partment being on one side of the
carriage. and that admitting into the
other on the other side. In each OF
these compartments were six passen-
gers. On the top was the drivers
seat and one other. each holding three
persons; so that the car carried eight
cen passengers with all their enor-
nous bulk OF baggage.
Having mounted our vehicle n fine
large gray horse was attached to it by
shafts exactly like those of a one-horse
wagon. Ready" said the stage man;
the driver whistled to the gray; away
went the car through hills and over
valleys Before we had done looking
at our novel vehicle the car was stop
ped to water the horse under a bridge
and. on inquiring. we found that we
had come four miles in less than TWEEN
| ty minutes. The horse drank and
away we went two miles further and
then a fresh steed was Immediately
put in place Of our gray. noun ed
the top Of the car. and standing up
there. looking over upon the mountains
beyond the river was driven. in forty
minutes more. 20 tho present termina-
ton OF the railroad; thus accomplish
ing the journey OF twelve miles in
eighty minutes. including stoppings.
In brief this was the beginning not
only OF the New York Central. but OF
the great railway system of the coun-
try. Much of the text of this article
republished through the courtesy of the
New York Railroad Men.