Daily Alta California, Volume 21, Number 7110, 7 September 1869 — THE FIRST THROUGH TRAIN ON THE WESTERN PACIFIC ROAD. [ARTICLE]

THE FIRST THROUGH TRAIN ON THE WESTERN PACIFIC ROAD.

The opening of the Western Pacific Railroad from Stockton to Alameda was finally consummated last evening by the arrival at the latter place of the first through train. Hereafter the trains will leave twice daily: passengers leave San Francisco by the Alameda Ferry, at 7 a. m. and 3:30 p.m. A correspondent sends the ALTA the following account of the entrance of the first train to Alameda, neglecting, however, to give the time made: As the train neared the Alameda Station, an immense crowd of ladies and gentlemen, and all the young ones they owned, awaited the auspicious moment of its stoppage. At the station was a quadrangular superstructure, having upon each side an arch of evergreens, beautifully adorned with a vast profusion of roses and flowers, for which Alameda County is so justly renowned; over and about these were a multitude of flags, which seemed to bear in their folds an unusual amount of pride and grace and beauty. And now the hoarse whistle is heard, and the jolly fireman wakes up tha steamer's bell, in response to waves of joyous emotions which were rapidly passing westward over the iron rails. And cannons boomed, and loud huzzas, and bells, and whistles. and boys and men all tried on a conglomerate language which would set at bay the untiring genius of modern philology. And so passed the first train to its great western terminus. Every house that had a flag displayed it; every head that bad a tongue joined the chorus; every heart that could scan the past and survey the future filled with emotion, as the spectre of fire and of life came and went. From other sources our reporter learns that the train left Sacramento at 10 A.M. and passed out of Alameda Cañon at 9 1/2 P. M. The turn from Vallejo's Mills to the San Francisco dock was made in one hour. The delay was occasioned by meeting construction trains, etc.. the proper turnaround being just then in process of completion. The road is in first rate condition, and good time will now be made. The gauge of the Central and Western Pacific being the same as that of the Alameda road, there was no change of cars and the trains came through direct from Sacramento to the end of the Alameda pier, at the ferry landing. The trains consisted of three locomotives and twelve first- class cars. One train switched off at Vallejo's Mills, and went on to San José and Gilroy, and will return this morning, meeting the San Francisco train at the Mills and thence go to Sacramento. As above stated, trains leave Alameda for Sacramento and Stockton this morning and afternoon, passengers leaving this city by the Alameda Ferry.