Miscellaneous, RR Excursion, 1867

Excursion on the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad

Chenango American, July 18, 1867

 

Wednesday of last week, the Directors of the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, accompanied by a large number of invited guests, celebrated the opening of their line to Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], one hundred and eight miles distant from Albany. The excursion train left Albany at 8 o'clock in the morning.

 

The route lies through one of the most picturesque and beautiful regions in the State, and the scenery presented to gratify the excursionists, was all the most critical taste could desire.  The soil is apparently everywhere rich and prolific.  We have not seen in any region better fields of rye and oats than those which bow their heads to the breezes that waft along the Schoharie and Susquehanna.  The evidences of thrift and progress are on all hands apparent--farms closely cultivated, well-kept fences, handsome barns and comfortable dwellings--proving a community of farmers who have learned how to enjoy the best advantages of their estate.

 

 This region was comparatively "sequestered" until the locomotives of the Albany and Susquehanna railroad awoke the resounding echoes of its hills and dales.  The general farmers, hop-growers and cheese-makers, could only get their product to market by slow and tedious journeys over the highways, behind plodding horses and lumbering oxen--consuming many days in their transit to market, and realizing greatly the loss which is consequent upon such isolation from the busy marts of the State.

 

After ten years of effort marked by the most unexampled display of perseverance, and determination on the part of President Ramsey--who most of all men is entitled to credit for the undertaking and accomplishment--a railroad has been carried through these rich and secluded valleys, opening up their treasures, bringing them in contact with the centers of trade, and making them partners in those reciprocal interchanges which constitute the strength and wealth of every cultivated community.

 

Bainbridge, is, as we have remarked, one hundred and eight miles distant from Albany--a pretty hamlet, located in one of the most picturesque openings of the Chenango Valley.  From this point to Binghamton, the western terminus of the road, is thirty-two miles.  Between Bainbridge and Binghamton, a mountain range which cannot be traversed, intercepts the route, and renders tunneling necessary.  The length of the tunnel is twenty-two hundred feet--greater than on any other railroad in this State.  The heading of this tunnel is already complete, and in a few weeks the base will be, so as to make it ready for the laying of rails.  The line will be continued to Nineveh--where it is to connect with the Delaware road--by next spring, and it is hoped that during next year, it will be finished to Binghamton.

 

The excursion train reached Bainbridge at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, and was received by salvoes of artillery, and the music of a brass band.  Apparently, all the circumjacent section had turned out its sturdy men and bright-faced women to give welcome to the visitors and do honor to the occasion which summoned them into Chenango Valley.  A concourse measurable by thousands, greeted the train with cheers, with waving of handkerchiefs, and with numerous other exhibitions of friendly satisfaction.

 

The preparations which had been devised for entertaining the guests, were in every way worthy of those by whom they were made, and excited the surprise of those for whom they were intended.  As the excursionists left the cars, they were hurried into the depot building adjacent, where every available foot of area was occupied either by tables laden with "the substantials and luxuries of the season," or by the bright-eyed young ladies of old Chenango, who had volunteered to appease the voracious appetites of the aggressive crowd.  At least two thousand persons were fed, and we do not believe that one left the tables with a consciousness of want.

 

After all had eaten and were filled, a meeting was organized upon the platform in front of the depot, which was first addressed by President Ramsey.  Mr R. gave a history of the road, and of the difficulties which its friends had encountered for more than sixteen years.  He said:  The total cost of the road and equipments to the present time, is $5,312,419.67 of which $424,561.12 has been expended on the work.  The right of way with ample depot grounds, have been obtained for the entire line and paid for.

 

The road was opened to Schoharie in September, 1863; Cobleskill, January, 1865; Oneonta, August, 1865; Unadilla, March, 1866; and to Sidney, October, 1866.

 

Total earnings for the year ending September 30th, 1864:  $97,861.07;  September 30th, 1865: $175,729.13; September 30th, 1866:  $385,198.85....The operating expenses have been about fifty-three percent of the earnings.

 

After Mr. Ramsey had concluded, Mr. J.M. Bailey, Rev. Mr. Abbott and others, of Albany, Mr. Peter G. Saxe, of Troy, Judge Kingsley, of the Chenango Telegraph, and Hon. Joseph Bush were called on, and made addresses appropriate to the occasion.

 

At 4-1/2 o'clock, the excursionists took cars again, and shortly after 9-1/2 o'clock reached Albany.