The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-22 00:00:00

CALEDONIAN EXTENSION.

The Committee of Management, in their report just issued,
relative to the progress and future prospects of the proposed
extension of the Caledonian line, state that the whole line
has been now carefully considered: A section has been
prepared by the engineers, and, although they state that
modifications may be required for the accommodation of
landowners, yet the Committee have much satisfaction in
announcing that the section fully verifies the expecta-
tion of an easy line. By far the largest portion of the line
is no steeper than 1 in 300, while the steepest gradient
does not exceed 1 in 100, and that only for a small
portion of the whole distance. The cuttings and
embankments are light, and it is not expected
there will be any tunnels, nor are there any bridges or other
works of an extraordinary character. Under these favour-
able circumstances, and having fair reason to calculate that
the capital which the Committee considered it prudent to
provide will suffice for the construction of some works not at
first contemplated, they have directed surveys to be made of
a short branch to Selkirk, and of one to Jedburgh and Hawick,
for the accommodation of those towns. The Committee also
intend to undertake the formation of a line from the extension
line through the Lesmahagow mineral fields, to the Clydes-
dale Junction Railway at Hamilton. This will be a profitable
line in itself, and an important feeder of the extension; and
arrangements have been made which have secured the entire
support of the parties Most interested in the formation of the
line. Other parts of the Caledonian system are in course of
being rapidly. developed. Various branches, leading to the
north and west, have already been, or are speedily to be
brought before the public. These,by adding to the importance
of the main trunk line, will necessarily increase the prosperity
of the extension. But the portion of this development in
which that undertaking is more immediately interested, is
the Ayrshire and Caledonian Junction Railway, projected by
an independent company, to connect Kilmarnock with the
main line. The Committee viewing this connexion as one
of the greatest importance, have resolved to give to the pro-
moters of it every facility and assistance in their power
The main line of the Caledonian Extension will go direct to
Ayr, while the proposed junction branches off to Kilmarnock,
and, by means of these, an outlet in all directions will
be opened up for the vast resources of Ayrshire. That
important county will thus have a direct communication
from every point to the capital of Scotland by a line of
railway, which will at the same time, by a short branch to
the Caledonian main trunk at Abington, afford the most
convenient access to Carlisle and the manufacturing dis- 1
tricts of England. The whole mineral fields will also be
connected by railway with the seaports of Ayr, Troon,
Irvine, Saltcoats, and Ardrossan. Altogether it is scarcely
possible to conceive a railway system better suited to the
wants of this district, and attaining, by simple means, so
many important objects. The prospects of the Caledonian
Extension towards the east coast are eqully flattering.
The Committee had the good fortune to effect an arrange.
ment for a joint station at Kelso with Mr. Hudson and the
promoters of the line between Newcastle and Berwick. The
complete success of that line with its branch to Kelso, is
therefore another subject of congratulation. In this district,
the interests of these two lines are identical, and their
success will be mutual. A proposal has been made to form a
communication by railway from Edinburgh to Peebles,
which, in the opinion of the Committee, merits their appro-
bation; and they have offered to unite in the formati'm of a
joint station at Peebles, and otherwise to co-operate with
the promoters of that project in measures of mutual advan-
tage. These encouraging prospects, as well as a careful
review of the resources of the districts to be opened up by
the Caledonian Extension, fully confirm the highest expecta-
tions entertained by the Committee when the prospectus was
issued. The important objects to be obtained, embracing
the connexion of the rich agricultural and mineral county of
Ayr with England, with Edinburgh, and with the seaports
of the west of Scotland, the connexion of the agricultural
counties of Berwick and Roxburgh, and the manufacturing
districts of Galashiels and Hawick with Glasgow, and the
mutual interchange of traffic between all parts of the king-
dom • intersected by the Caledonian system, hold out the
surest prospects of profit to the shareholders.
Last week a splendid dinner was given to Mr. Ross, su-
perintendent of the Greenock Railway Station, by a number
of the most influential gentlemen who are in the habit of
travelling by that railway. There were about sixty gentle-
men present, and the Company was presided over by Sir
James Campbell.
AIRDRIE AND BATHGATE.—The applications for shares in
this line were 60,000, with only 12,000 for allotment. The
shares have been principally divided amongst local parties
engaged in mineral end agricultural produce,
Scorristi WusTues.—Notwithstanding the large capital,
we hear that shares were applied for to nearly five times the
requisite number, and in. Glasgow alone 45,000 shares were
applied for, the applicants being, for the most part, persons of
the first respectability.—Scotsman.