The work of constructing this part of the road was carried on during the years 1847 and 1848. On Christmas day, 1848, a party of gentlemen made an excursion over it from New York to New Haven, returning the next day. The road was opened for business on the following day. The character of the ground of the road in this county is described as "heavy with rough heavy cuttings." It was at first a single track road. The line as surveyed was followed. AtPelhamvillethe original embankment was as it is now. The numerous curves on the road were caused by the restricted financial condition, making it necessary, as far as possible, to avoid cuttings and embankments. The desire had been to build the road in a substantial and permanent manner, but it was found difficult to complete it in any shape. Mr. Sidney S. Miller, one of the original contractors and most active of the projectors of the road, is still living at Madison, N. J. It is a curious fact that when the trains first commenced to run, the passengers were booked as in the old stage-coach times, their names being duly reported by the conductors to the company. This company was originally " The New York and New Haven," but in 1872 was consolidated with the Hartford and New Haven Company, and the new system took the name by which it is now known. In 1873 the company leased the Harlem River and the Port Chester Railroad, between the Harlem and New Rochelle, and opened it for use. It runs from its depot at the Harlem River through the t iwns of Morrisania, Westchester, Pelham and New Rochelle, where it joins the New Haven road. It is sometimes denominated, the Harlem River Branch of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, and has opened out one of the most beautiful portions of the county.