The line was opened for service on 14 July 1856, five trips a day, three in the morning and two in the afternoon, with a 28 minute traveling time. The railway was equipped with six English-built steam locomotives (Sharp Stewart and William Bridges Adams) and six carriages. The four main locomotives were named after the Saints Pio, Pietro, Paolo and Giovanni, names chosen by Pope Pius IX in a letter addressed to the administrator of the York & Co Company dated 7 June 1856.