Pine Hills in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Steam Train

Photographed by William Kidd, September 4, 2024

1. First Steam Train Marker

Inscription.
In 1831 the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad established the first steam passenger train service in NYS between this junction and Schenectady

Erected 2021 by Pine Hills Neighborhood Association & William G Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 824.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 42° 39.979′ N, 73° 47.496′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Pine Hills. It is on Western Avenue near Madison Avenue (U.S. 20), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albany NY 12208, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Capital District.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker,

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measured as the crow flies: Swinburne Park (approx. ¾ mile away); "The Elms" (approx. 0.9 miles away); Albany's Urban Orchard (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of New York Central Railroad Erector Shop (approx. 1.1 miles away); Boats and Music (approx. 1.2 miles away); Thirsty? (approx. 1.2 miles away); Washington Park (approx. 1.3 miles away); Origins of the Albany Tulip Festival (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.

Another marker is no longer nearby. First Railroad (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Albany and Schenectady Railroad (Wikipedia). (Submitted on September 19, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. The Mohawk & Hudson Railroad Route in Albany - The New York Almanack. Excerpt:

The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad … was built to cut the time needed to travel between the Erie Canal at Schenectady and the Hudson River at Albany from a whole day to under an hour.

(Submitted on September 10, 2024, by William Kidd of Albany, New York.)

3. Mohawk & Hudson Railroad, 1831 - Schenectady Digital History Archive.

Photographed by William Kidd, September 4, 2024

2. First Steam Train Marker

Excerpt:

The formal opening of the road was on August 13, 1831 ... The rails were wooden stringers, with iron straps nailed on top. The engine burned wood and the sparks therefrom constantly set fire to the passengers' clothes on this historic journey.

(Submitted on September 10, 2024, by William Kidd of Albany, New York.)

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, December 21, 2025

3. First Steam Train Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2024, by William Kidd of Albany, New York. This page has been viewed 240 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2024, by William Kidd of Albany, New York. 3. submitted on December 21, 2025, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.