Albany and Schenectady Railroad: Difference between revisions
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The '''Mohawk and Hudson Railroad''' was the first railroad built in the State of [[New York]] and one of the [[first railroads in the United States]]. |
The '''Mohawk and Hudson Railroad''' (also known as the '''M&HRR''') was the first railroad built in the State of [[New York]] and one of the [[first railroads in the United States]]. |
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The railroad was incorporated April 17, 1826<ref>[http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR1826%20Apr%2005.pdf Pennsylvania RR Chronology] p.5</ref> by the Mohawk and Hudson Company<ref>[http://www.fortklock.com/railroad.htm Fortlock.com: ''Albany and Schenectady Railroad '']</ref> to build a line between [[Albany, New York|Albany]] and [[Schenectady, New York|Schenectady]], and opened August 9, 1831. |
The railroad was incorporated April 17, 1826<ref>[http://www.prrths.com/Hagley/PRR1826%20Apr%2005.pdf Pennsylvania RR Chronology] p.5</ref> by the Mohawk and Hudson Company<ref>[http://www.fortklock.com/railroad.htm Fortlock.com: ''Albany and Schenectady Railroad '']</ref> to build a line between [[Albany, New York|Albany]] and [[Schenectady, New York|Schenectady]], and opened August 9, 1831. |
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==History== |
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The prime mover behind the project was George W. Featherstonhaugh of Schenectady. He enlisted the support of Albany's Stephen Van Rensselaer who became the company's president. The railroad was intended to compliment the [[Erie Canal]] by providing passengers with a direct 16 mile (26 km) land route between the cities as an alternate to the 28 mile (45 km) canal route. Initially capitalized at $300,000, the railroad had 33 original stockholders, most of whom, including [[John Jacob Astor]], lived in [[New York City]]. |
The prime mover behind the project was George W. Featherstonhaugh of Schenectady. He enlisted the support of Albany's Stephen Van Rensselaer who became the company's president. The railroad was intended to compliment the [[Erie Canal]] by providing passengers with a direct 16 mile (26 km) land route between the cities as an alternate to the 28 mile (45 km) canal route. Initially capitalized at $300,000, the railroad had 33 original stockholders, most of whom, including [[John Jacob Astor]], lived in [[New York City]]. |
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In 1830 John B. Jervis became the railroad engineer, replacing Peter Fleming who had made little progress in constructing the line. Jervis used white pine rails capped by wrought iron strips. Stone blocks supported the tracks and a macadamized horse path ran between the rails. The horse path was required because horses were needed to pull the cars along slippery rails during the winter months. |
In 1830 John B. Jervis became the railroad engineer, replacing Peter Fleming who had made little progress in constructing the line. Jervis used white pine rails capped by wrought iron strips. Stone blocks supported the tracks and a macadamized horse path ran between the rails. The horse path was required because horses were needed to pull the cars along slippery rails during the winter months. Steep grades decended to both river terminuses and 12-horsepower stationary steam engines were required to draw the cars up these inclines. On April 19, 1847, the name was changed to the Albany and Schenectady Railroad. The railroad was consolidated into the [[New York Central Railroad]] on [[May 17]], [[1853]]. The M&HRR was the third US railroad to use steam locomotives. |
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On April 19, 1847, the name was changed to the Albany and Schenectady Railroad. The railroad was consolidated into the [[New York Central Railroad]] on [[May 17]], [[1853]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 10:32, 17 September 2009
The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad (also known as the M&HRR) was the first railroad built in the State of New York and one of the first railroads in the United States.
The railroad was incorporated April 17, 1826[1] by the Mohawk and Hudson Company[2] to build a line between Albany and Schenectady, and opened August 9, 1831.
History
The prime mover behind the project was George W. Featherstonhaugh of Schenectady. He enlisted the support of Albany's Stephen Van Rensselaer who became the company's president. The railroad was intended to compliment the Erie Canal by providing passengers with a direct 16 mile (26 km) land route between the cities as an alternate to the 28 mile (45 km) canal route. Initially capitalized at $300,000, the railroad had 33 original stockholders, most of whom, including John Jacob Astor, lived in New York City.
In 1830 John B. Jervis became the railroad engineer, replacing Peter Fleming who had made little progress in constructing the line. Jervis used white pine rails capped by wrought iron strips. Stone blocks supported the tracks and a macadamized horse path ran between the rails. The horse path was required because horses were needed to pull the cars along slippery rails during the winter months. Steep grades decended to both river terminuses and 12-horsepower stationary steam engines were required to draw the cars up these inclines. On April 19, 1847, the name was changed to the Albany and Schenectady Railroad. The railroad was consolidated into the New York Central Railroad on May 17, 1853. The M&HRR was the third US railroad to use steam locomotives.
