The Great Bore
A Souvenir Of The Hoosac Tunnel

20 SUBSEQUENT HISTORY OF THE TUNNEL. The salient points of the subsequent history of the tunnel can be told in a few words. The first passenger train passed through on February 6, the first freight on April 5, and the first train from Bos- ton to Troy on October 13, of the year 1875. On July i, 1876, the tunnel was officially declared to be ready for business. During the legislative session of 1875 the question arose as to whether it was best to consolidate the Troy and Greenfield railroad with the other roads, thus making a consolidated line from Boston to Troy, or for the state to retain its control and permit connecting roads to use it on equal terms. The latter policy was adopted and continued until January 5, 1887, when the tunnel and the Iroy and Greenfield railroad were sold to the Fitchburg railroad company for $5,000,000 in fifty-year bonds and $5,000,000 in common stock. During the first summer of its proprietorship the hitchburg company took up the problem of light- ing the tunnel by electricity. After many experi- ments, the great difficulty being to secure adequate insulation, the electricians were successful, and in the course of two years the heart of the mountain was illuminated by 1,300 glow lamps. The electro- liers are placed 650 on a side and at an average