New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-06-11
A RAILROAD IN BROADWAY.

A New Plan for n Railroad and Elevated Promenade.
To as Edsssv u The NJ y Hiouns' 4,
SIR The plans for constructing Elevated Railroad
in Broadway heretofore presented have all possessed
some grossly Objectionable feature which rendered them
mpraeticable in bene6tng this world-renowned tho
rougbre. Some garing impossbility has always sug-
gested Itself to counterfeit whatever valuable idea each
plan might contain. Had these projects been sug-
gesve of real improvement, and less fancful in their
details the public would not have been ready to
claim against all plans for Railroad in Broadway.
In my plan, propose to build Railroad and an al
dtiona sidewalk the present ene elevated TO the
level ofthe second story and projecting in the form of
a balcony, supported by columns planted liue with
the curb. This road and sidewalk intended TO
cupy both sides of Broadway connecting at the upper
and lover termiB by continuous track, forming an
Endless Railroad.
During the summer months the travel will be dotoa
on the east side and the west sde-snd
during the winter This arrangement will shield the
greater part of the community in the forenOons
and Afternoons IN going TO and returning from business;
while by reyerg the order of travel for the winter sea-
the great majority of passengers will have the ,nsit
Of the genial warmth Of the both up aud down
My plans of cODst ucOn to make this terrace with
s columns and supports Of ron the side xks above 10
be formed Of flag stones resting iron gratngs
supported by besms bound firmly together at the columns
The roof Of the sidewalk made CORFU gated
rn forming cutters the upper surface for the
of the main canal OF the balcony which led off
iron be go laid 10 prevent water or dirt descending
the lower SIDEWALK, king il perfectly watertght
covering The columns will not only conductors
of water but Of gas and WILL also the purpose of
FIRE plugs where they may be required forming double
FIRE plug above ami another below with attach
ments to the same column At building also there
would be gas lamp above aud below producing gener
al and brilliant illumination at the expense of each store
keeper
The intended to be the outside of the up
per terrace directly line oiron cou the
entire weight will be supported by u cir sgencyihus
eying of all pressure from the weight of the the
tire structure whtre il spans TO the building Tbs cars will
be drawn by horses un soneof the new plans are more
fully developed for propulsion by atmospheric pressure.
The rails will be of iron, LAID lnoiarubbef and sup.
ported by wooden ss TO the noise and jar the
principle beautifully illustrated by the dissl between
the tive tables of the human skull The track for the
horses will be laid with wooden blocks being calculated
10 produce less noise than The Russ pavemen-which,
however could be lad here if thought desirable
The railing the outer edge OF the terrace will be strong
and Substantial and railing is likewise to be placed be-
tween the cars and the pedestrians acting 80 guard 10
prevent accidents by coming in contact with the csrswh
openings at the END and middle Of each block for the in
gress and egress of pas engers.
The crossings NJ the streets this thorOughAre will be
sprung with arches to divide in the center and open like
gates 10 allow the passage of professions &C. should it
ever be ssary At Canal there could be- arches
with flight Of stairs arranged in the center leading III.
Sixth and Eghhsv. Railroad Cars. siso propose making
bridges at Fulton, Cortland. Wall and other
crowded avoiding the present danger
OF being run over at the perilous points
The stsrways for easy to the upper terrace
be arranged IN the inside OF the buildings in the middle
and At each end Of every block and these landings would
come TO be known by the of the OF
the premises as Owns Landing BroOks's Landing
q c, &c Ibis publicity will amply repay those through
whose premises the landings may be reached The Com
pany purchase the right Of way through thess local.
ties and the merchant add to he4ciiy by permitting
his cusiomerst to make Of his stairway in cases whsre
the first and second floors same person
The hight Of this upper terrace will be an average Of
about sixteen et 10 be adapted the building of
latest construction Ii the hight of any building should
not this average will be easy to make starsays Of
few steps either sceHdng descending ease may
he-hese steps be csnstruces inside the buildings 50
Sc not to Interfere with the sidewalk.
The present sidewalk is sixteen fee; wide prop Sc
widening IL above 70 nil feet by extending over
the street three feet This viii give clear width
upper sidewalk of ten feet for pedestrians and nine feet
occupied by the track and the outside and inside baasAds
This will leave the upper Sidewalk practically almost
wde the lower when we consider the areas stoops
cellar doors, basement. entrances &c.
Neither OF hese sidewalks will possess advantages over
the other While the lower covered promenade,
the upper offers all the advantages OF railroad and
Promenade and all the novelty OF elevated terrace i'm
parting an air Of picturesque grandeur to our tsrtamed
broadway and making It of the most magnificent tho
ropghisres in the world inviting and attracting strangers to
be bold the glory OF the Empire City.
proposed that the company building md owning this
road shan De mutual one, owned by the property holders
and business men Of broadway thus giving each voice
the correction Of ruaI that ocear and 10 have a
interest in the profits Of the concern
IL proposed that the shoad extend from the Crys
tai Palace to the Battery, distance Of over nne niles up
Md down The calculation takes in both sidss Of Broad