The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-06-07
when the Remington railroad opened.

When the bennington Railroad Opened.
Hanterdoa Democrat.
The Remington Railroad was complet-
ed in 1854, aud the first train over it was
run on December 4th of that year. We
often hear this question discussed, aud no
two persons can agree upon the year Of
the roads opening. T. G. Harvard, Esq
who was the responsible party in the con-
etruction, gives us the above figures and
they are authentic. Mr.. Harvard did all
the business connected with the building
Of the road, overseeing everything from
start to finish in the same faithful, in,elli
gent and trustworthy way that has always
been characteristic of the man.
The road opened quite modestly. On
Saturday night, December 2, 1854, an en-
CINE and one car came over the new
tracks to Pennington, bringing Mr.. Ha.
ward and two or three other gentlemen.
The trip was slow and careful one, the
object being to see that everything was
Dec. 4, 1854, the first passengers were
carried over the road in business way,
although the Company made no charge
for that trip. 1t was free train. On
the second day, Dec. 9th, there was one
passenger from Flemlugton for Ringoes
and six for Lambertville. On the third
day there were three for Ringoes and 1S3
for Lambertville. On the fourth day there
were 431 fares to and from all stations be-
tween Pennington and Lambertvlle, on
the fifth day %, on the sixth day IA, aud
on the seventh day Is, total of 1875 for
the first six days following the 4th day of
December, 1854
From that time the travel steadily in
creased, aud Mr.. Harvard, who was ticket
agent at Pennington as we'll as general
| freight solicitor and general utility man,
finds by reference to his old books that in
April, 1856, the total of passengers for
that month was 376f. On July 4, of the
same year, (l855) the number of passen-
gers carried from Pennington was 277,
and on Ausust 80 Sunday School excur.
sion was run to Barber's Station-at that
time beautifully shaded retreat-and on
that occasion the train carried 800 passen
gers. The total number Of passengers
for that month was $50. The total
amount OF money received by Mr.. Ha.
ward for fares during 1855 reached The
snug sum of $50l6.90.
In September, 1856 the Hunterdon
County Fair opened on the grounds near
Pennington. The number of tickets sold
during that month by Mr.. Harvard was
1871.
In those early days the fare from Elem
s.,, tn IN ~
90 cents; to Philadelphia, $1.15; to New
Brunswick, $l.35 and to New York, ST.
rs. Those who travel nowadays will
observe that the rates were much lower
than they now are.
During the past six weeks people have
read much about the old locomotive called
sJohn Bull, which is now on exhibition
at the Worlds Fair in Chicago. Along in
the 50's that same old engine-new of ma
tional fame-was often at the Flemingtor
station saving wood. Ia those days only
woodworking locomotives were employed
and whenever and wherever there were {
hundred or so cords of wood to be sawed
"John Bull" or 0Johny Bulr' Gas the rail
road boys called ii, would be sent for II
run the circular saw. "Johnny" alst
served in other capacities after being TAX
en- from the train service. For instance
whenever 1t was necessary to draw watel
from brooks over which the Company
roads ran in order that repairs could b.
made to bridges or trestles, the useful ole
John Bull" was invariably sent for
Lots of this kind of work was performed
by this locomotive all up and down thu
Pennington Railroad.
Mr.. Harvard has u lively recollection o
the early days of the road, and of the hare
work he performed and the many dsad
vantages under which he laborcd. Their
was no station here for time and he had Il
sell tickets by the light of a lantern in on
end OF the passenger car. December
that yenr was an extremely cold AM
stormy month, and it was far from pleas
ant to conduct affairs incident TO the roa'
out of doors ut this terminus. 1t is ia
| different now.