The day finally arrived for the railroad to make its first run. On October 7, 1826 the first car passed over the roadbed, from the foot of the Bunker Hill Ledge to the terminus at Neponset River. From now on the railroad could begin hauling the granite blocks that were ready.

During the time Bryant had been building his railroad, Solomon Willard had a crew of workman quarrying granite, bringing the rough cut blocks, weighing up to ten tons each, to the shed at the foot of the quarry where they were dressed. The method used to get the granite to the shed was a "timber run". This was done by fastening a number of logs together, in a trough-like manner, and allowing the granite to slide down the "run" slowly until it reached the bottom. Then it was moved to the shed by means of rollers and crowbars. This operation will be explained in detail in a later chapter.

At the end of six months there were 3000 tons of granite quarried, dressed and ready to be shipped. Because winter would soon begin it was deemed advisable to wait until spring to move the granite.

The repeated delays aggravated Willard and he was in favor of moving the granite by teams of oxen figuring it could be done cheaper, better and quicker. Apparently he didn't have much confidence in the ability of the newly built railroad to handle the granite satisfactorily. However, the difficulties were ironed out, the first contract signed and operations ready to begin the following spring.

The following contract between the Bunker Hill Monument Association and the Granite Railway Company was signed March 27, 1827 and is both of value and interest.

"This agreement made and concluded this 27th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1827, by and between the Granite Railway Co. herein acting by Thomas H. Perkins, their president, on the one part and the building committee of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, herein acting by John C. Warren, chairman of aforesaid, to receive on the said company's railway, during the year 1827, 3,000 tons of hewn stone, to be used in building the monument aforesaid; at such times during the said year as the said John C. Warren is the superintendent, shall offer to be carried, and not exceeding 30 tons in a day - and that said company will carry the exceeding 30 tons in a day - and that said company will carry the same hewn stone from the place where the same shall be delivered on the railway, to the wharf of the said company and thence by water to Deven's Wharf, in the town of Charlestown, and there deliver the same onto the said wharf, the said Warren or the Superintendent, or other agent of the said building committee, furnishing a crane, at the building committee's expense, properly prepared for hoisting the said stone from the said company's boats, onto the wharf; the said company in themselves to pay the expense of transportation from the place of delivery, which is to be on the Railway, and actually between the sides thereof, until the delivery on the said Deven's Wharf, with the use of the crane, to be by said company furnished. And the said company hereby promise to do the said carrying, with all reasonable care and fidelity, and without doing any injury to the stone, which can be avoided with due care and reasonable diligence.

"And the said company further promises and assumes upon themselves to take, carry and deliver any quantity of stone daily, which the said Warren or the agent employed under him, or said committee may require, not exceeding 30 tons of stone in any one day.

"And the said John C. Warren, chairmen of the said building committee, hereby promises and assumes upon himself, to pay the said company at the expiration of each successive three months, from the commencement of the delivery, at said Deven's Wharf, in Charlestown, the sum of 75 cents for each and every ton which shall have been delivered, in full, for the transportation from the place of receiving aforesaid, to the place of delivery aforesaid.

"Provided, always that in case the weather shall render it impossible on any day, or days, to effect a delivery as soon thereafter as can be done; and, provided, also that the said company to deliver more than 30 tons in a day, if it shall suit the convenience of the said company or deliver more than 30 tons in any one day.

"In witness whereof the said Thomas H. Perkins, President as aforesaid, and the said John C. Warren, chairman, as aforesaid, have interchangeably signed this instrument, on the day first aforesaid.

(Seal)		T.H. Perkins,
		President
(Seal)
	John C. Warren,
		Chairman"

Further, to complete their contract, that of carrying the stone from the wharf in East Milton to Charlestown at Deven's Wharf, the Granite Railway Company purchased the small steamer "Robin Hood" for $6500.00, and two boats for $1000.00 each. With these additions the railroad was all ready to begin the job of handling the granite from the quarry to its destinations.

The only mention I have been able to locate regarding wages paid on the railroad was in a letter dated March 1, 1830 in answer to an inquiry regarding the hiring of help. The following excerpt is taken from an original ledger of the company which contains written copies of all answers to letters.

Quincy, March 1, 1830,

Dear Sir:

Your letter of the 24th of February is received in which you wished to know if laboring men can be employed at the Railway. I shall employ a considerable number this season. The wages I pay are from $10.00 to $15.00 per month, average about $12.00 to $13.00 from March to January. Strong, able-bodied men of steady habits are wanted and are paid according to their ability for our works.

Respectfully yr Obea. Servt.

Gridley Bryant, Agt.

G.R. Co.