DeWitt Clinton First Run

On September 13, 1831, the DeWitt Clinton, built by the West Point Foundry, made its historic first run from Albany to Schenectady, New York. This 17-mile journey marked the beginning of steam-powered rail service in the state and demonstrated the viability of railroads over the Erie Canal for faster passenger transport. The locomotive featured a vertical boiler and pulled three coaches, reaching speeds up to 30 mph despite initial skepticism from canal interests. Key figures included engineer John B. Jervis and railroad promoter Stephen Van Rensselaer. This event spurred rapid railroad expansion across the United States, influencing the shift from canals to rails and connecting the Hudson River to the Mohawk Valley. Its success helped establish New York as a rail hub and inspired similar projects nationwide.