Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-01-09
Westcrn Vermont RailrOai.

Western Vermont Railroad.
We copy from the Rutland Uhtg, the sub
joined notice of this important Public Work
which advances towards completion and use
fulness as the plant advances to maturity, ST.
lently but with certain progress, and which
will very soon exhibit itself Ito carry out the
similcj the "brght consummate flower which
crowns the effort. Our readers have cause to
know that we have, from the outset, felt live
ly interest in this enterprise. chiefly because
we are somewhat acquainted with its merits as
respects the important considerations Of ex-
IRENE feasibility and cheapness of construc-
ton, and easiness Of grade and curvature of
the line of road, (now about to be fully demon
strated) the great foreign business it is destined
to attract and accommodate, and the untold
developed and undeyeloped Agricultural, Min
Of the ate through which it passes. But we
admit that there were other causes for both
our early and continued interest and confidence
in this work We knew it would be well and
accurately surveyed and located and thorough
ly and speedily constructed, because the En-
cheering and Superintendent were in the
hands Of Col. WM b. GILBERT, whose rcpu-
tatlon MS an entirely competent and practical
Civil Engineer places him descrvedv in the
first rank Of his profession, and because the
construction Contracts were undertaken BY
HENRY II. BAXTER, ESQ. the "Iron Duke"
who makes Waterloo business of physical
obstacles to Railroads when they oppose him.
Both these gentlemen, we have known long and
well, and have 90, in the habit Of looking out
for TIE Cars when they ring the bell!
We very sincerely congratulate the public
on the near approach of the period when the
entire rich and productive Valley of Western
Vermont will be travorsod by Railroad. The
real Importance Of the event nobody yet con-
ceves. 1t will soon be measured by its con-
sequences. 1t will stimulate enterprise and
industry, promote development, augment pro-
ducts and manufactures, bring to Light unsus-
pected resources, and, though last mentioned
not least esteemed, promote moral and social
changes and improvements more valuable and
desirable than n hundred Railroads per- Sc. We
especially congratulate our friends, and pre-
scntly neXt-doJr neighbors, of the County of
Bennington, on the triumphant success that is
about to reward their untir!ng efforts, to secure
to themselves and the public tins important
conncctng-llnk in the Great Line of direct
Railway communication between Montreal and
New York. They have deserved success and
achieved it thus exhibiting two Roman viz
tues well becoming those who occupy the
battle-ground Of STARK.
The following is the article to which we
have alluded. 1t contains interesting statistical
information respecting this Railroad, now SO
near completion, and viii give our readers
lively idea Of what the " Bennington Bows"
can accomplish when they " set about it,"
Western Vermont Railroad.
We had the pleasure, week before last. Of
the completion ofthls fayoritc pub
lie work, from Rutland to Factory Point. in
distance of 81 miles. Since
that time the track has been extended some
distance towards Arlington, and the remainder
Is to be completed carly in January. The
Troy and Boston Rond is to be opened 70 the
point Of Junction at hlGle Bridge, in Salem. at
the same time we feel warranted in savinr that
the line thus completed from Rutland to TROY
md Albany, will compare iayorably in direct
ness, ilghncss of grade, and thorough construr
ton, with any other hUnGrc miles of road N
the country
by the potencss Of Col. GILBERT. Chief
Engineer, We had an opportunity last week of
passing over most Of the track now laid, bur
which the excellent discretion of the Directors
has decided not TO open for freight and travel
Until the entire line shall be laid and travelled
in perfect condition for use. So nDlsolc,sly
and rapidly has this work progressed lhmyiu,r
been commenced barely year ago that the
community at large will share in the surprise
we experienced IN finding 30 or 40 miles of
tMiroad due South FROM Rutland towards
Bennington, quietly bidding its time" in I'M
commonly good running ORDER and resting on
A structure So solid, smooth and straight as tn
leave scarcely anything to be desired or i'm
proved. On leaving the Rutland and Burning
ton Central Depot at Rutland the traveller IL
surprised by what seems likely to be an inter
mnabie line as straight as an arrow. when
~ '1 NI''o't'' GU III hdttnIlE lDT a curve,
he may perhaps feel the adage for,ib,y Illus
,ra'od, that IN IS n long lane that has no turn.
ing" NO less than fire and hof miles of.
level road without one curve, stretch off for Il
good beglnnng) through the rich town of Clar-
endon. We have never seen such a feature as
this, on any otncr road. The rest of the road
Is also remarkable for straightncss, the whole
having, as We learn from the engineer, fully
hrec; fou'hs OF It's course in IA straight Inc. and
OF the remaining twenty-five per cent, eighteen
IN curves OF great radius (2SGJ to $3.50 feen
ana only seven IN curves as small as 2292 to
1872 feet radius.
we cannot omit to mention likewise the sim
guIar llghness of the grades, most ofwhlch are
Distinguished lie only by practlced eve. We
were informed that only one grade exceeding
forty feet to the mile, exists on tho line-and
that grade Is torty%ce feet he average is
only ~ feet tor the whole line.
We remember that when. last year. the pre
Inlnary survey and estimates ofCol Gilman
for tins Road were presented to the public,
great lncredullty was generally expressed as to
the possibility Of realizing representations so
very tllttGrng. But not even the ordinary and