John B. Jervis, the engineer of the Croton Aqueduct, being employed as chief engineer. Work was begun toward the middle of 1847, the entire line being placed under contract by sections, and the work was prosecuted so diligently that by the 29th of September, 1840, passenger travel was commenced between New York and Peekskill. " The average number of passengers per day for the first month (October) was 830, and the total number 21,593. ... At this time it was calculated that the land taken for the roadway in Westchester County had cost the company, exclusive of agencies and other charges, $185,905.02, and also that the grading had involved an expenditure of not far from a million dollars, which was about |300,000 above the cost as estimated by the original lettings in L847."1 It was a single track road, with "turnouts" where needed.
This at once caused the New York and Albany stages to be withdrawn, and it also competed with the steamboats. The following advertisement was published in the New York Herald: "Passenger trains will commence to run between New York and Peekskill on Saturday, the 29th instant (September, 1849), stopping at the following places and at the rate of fare respectively stated, viz.: Manhattan ville, twelve and one-half cents ; Yonkers, twenty-five cents, etc. Omnibuses will be provided at the junction of Chambers Street and Hudson Street to convey passengers who furnish themselves with tickets at the engine-house, at Thirty-first Street, until the rails are laid to that point. Trains will start at 8 a.m., 12 noon, and 4 p.m. N.
B.-- Stockholders during the present week free of charge." ~