Historic Pelham Blog Archive
December 18, 2009

350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BOOK:  "THOMAS PELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE PELL TREATY OAK" -- $11.95 (PROCEEDS AFTER PRINTING COSTS WILL GO TO BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM).  CLICK HERE TO BROWSE BEFORE YOU BUY! LEARN MORE.

A railroad known as the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad was built in the early 20th century and once ran through Pelham.  Remnants of the railroad remain, including the railroad bridge that still stands over Highbrook Avenue. 

The inaugural run of cars on the new line carrying local officials occurred on May 16, 1912.  A brief article about the event appeared in the New Rochelle Pioneer two days later.  The text of that article appears below.

"WHEN THE NEW R.R. WILL START
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PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONERS, RAILROAD OFFICIALS AND MUNICIPAL OFFICERS MAKE TRIP ON THURSDAY FROM BRONX TO THIS CITY.
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That the opening of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad for public traffic is but a matter of a few days, was shown on Thursday, when an official inspection of part of the system was made. 

The invited guests to the number of twenty-five, included Chairman Wilcox, of the Public Service Commission, First Department, Commissioners Heustis, Maltbie and Williams, President Miller, of the road; Senator Wainwright, Mayor Fiske, of Mount Vernon; Mayor Waldorf, of New Rochelle; President Ceder, of North Pelham; Chief Engineer Crider and other railroad officials and attaches of the Public Service Commission. 

The start was made by the two-car train at 11:30 from Adams street station, the Bronx.  Stops were made at all stations from this point to Mount Vernon, where the Third street station was made the stopping point.  From there at a slow gait, so as to give the passengers plenty of chance for observation, the train rolled up to the North avenue station in New Rochelle.  After an inspection there the train returned and made a stop at the Fifth avenue station, North Pelham, and then proceeded up the White Plains branch to Wykagyl station. 

Having arrived there, President Miller escorted the party to the Wykagyl Golf Club House, where the club's president, Mr. W. B. Randall [of Pelham Manor], received and a luncheion was served.  During the course of the same Commissioner Eustis offered a toast to the prosperity of the new road and health and happiness to its efficient President, Mr. Miller.

The luncheon at an end, the party returned to the train and sped for home.  Stops being made at stations convenient to the homes of detraining guests.  The opinion expressed by all was that the road construction is of the highest class, the equipment, rolling and stationary, of the most up-to-date and modern type, and the stations commodious, comfortable and of pleasing architecture and lavish interior finish.

The engineers of the Public Service Commission expressed their delight over the splendid signal system installed on the road, over the perfect appointment of the steel cars and of the almost noiseless running of the train.

Although the day was rainy and cloudy, the approbation expressed by the inspecting party produced sunny smiles upon the faces of President Miller, of Chief Engineer Crider and upon other railroad officials who have had a hand in producing this model of electric railroads.

On Monday President Miller will take a number of newspaper men over the route and entertain them at the Wykagyl Club House.

It will take several days yet before the road can be opened for public traffic."

Source:  When the New R.R. Will Start, New Rochelle Pioneer, Vol. 54, No. 8, May 18, 1912, p. 1, col. 4.

posted by Blake A. Bell @ 4:34 AM Comment

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