Early Electric Railway Lays Tracks for the Future—Part 1 [History]

The wire fencing surrounding the Albany and Hudson Fast Line, an early third-rail electric railway system, was said to be pig proof, mule high, and bull strong. According to, it was the wire fencing and a generous distribution of danger signs that kept the animals and humans at a safe distance from the live current. Local lore tells a different story about the safety of that ground-level electrified third rail, from the little old lady who touched her umbrella to the rail and was sent airborne to a long series of unfortunate dogs whose lives came to an abrupt end after heeding nature´s call on the rail.