By Thomas R. Bayles
The first train on
the Long Island Rail Road that ran through the new tunnel under the
East River on September 8, 1910 was given an enthusiastic reception
by residents of the various villages on Long Island.
The following
clipping from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle for that date gives some idea
of the enthusiasm that ran through the Island at the prospect of
being at last linked to New York city by direct train connection:
“New York of the future will look back upon today as commemorative
of one of the greatest engineering accomplishments of modern times,
and the added comfort of the thousands benefited by it will be it
greatest tribute. The throngs that gathered in Jamaica and the
other Long Island towns today expressed the feelings of the people
as eloquently as did the speakers who addressed them.
“
Today is unquestionably the greatest in Long Island’s history and
the future alone can express the true measure of it.
“
While the first train out of the new Pennsylvania station left that
depot at 3:40 am today, the big crowd of the day arrived about 9
o’clock, when delegations of citizens from all points on Long Island
began to arrive to take the official train at 9:32 for Jamaica.
“
It was Conductor Rushmore’s Train No. 204 that bore the glad tidings
this morning over the main line that Long Island was officially
linked to New York. This was the first passenger train on that
line, drawn by an electric locomotive, to pass through the tunnels
carrying passengers who paid their way. It was a signal honor for
Conductor James D. Rushmore, who is the oldest conductor in point of service
on the road, having been in the employ of the railroad since 1866.
“His train got away at 8:25 and was followed by the Montauk Division
through train at 8:30.
“One of the passengers on the main line train was the Rev. James M.
Denton of Yaphank, a well known Presbyterian minister. His father,
who is 89, is taking great interest in the Jamaica celebration
today. He well remembers the first Long Island locomotives, the
Aerial and Postboy, and marvels at the wonderful changes in
locomotion over the road from that time to this.
“
As the trains passed through every station, the passengers composing
the celebration committees representing each town, leaned out of the
train windows or gathered on the platforms, waving and cheering in
exchange with the enthusiastic greetings that they received at their
depots.
“
Bright skies and fair weather lent an effect to the whole programe of
the celebration that aroused the excitement of people to fever
point. Each town had its favorite method of carrying out the
celebration scheme. Parades through the business centers of the
villages in which the town officials, prominent citizens, fire
companies, societies and residents took part, and formed a big
reception delegation at the station, made up the programe for the
most part.
“
At Babylon this morning 500 school children were massed in the depot
park when the first train to reach there after passing through the
tunnels, arrived. The train was greeted with cheers and the
children sang patriotic songs. The front of the depot was
artistically decorated with goldenrod arranged by William Wincott,
superintendent of Mrs. Arnold’s estate in West Islip.
“
At Islip 700 school children marched from the post office to the
station, each carrying a small American flag. The station was
literally covered with large American flags and the effect was
fine. The station grounds were completely filled with autos and
fine turnouts and the platform packed with 1200 people before the
train arrived. On the arrival of the train at 10:27 there were
prolonged cheers. The tunnel opening means much to Islip.
“
Patchogue had a turnout of over 100 citizens who assembled at the
station to greet the train which arrived at 10:55 a.m. amid the
tooting of the fire whistles and the cheering of the assembled
people. The Village trustees and members of the board of trade were
on hand to extend greetings. Patchoguers were delighted to gaze at
the new steel-cars marked ‘Pennsylvania’ and there was general
rejoicing at the prospects of greatly improved transportation.”