Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-27
The Central Rallroad-Temporary Track.

The success of the temporary Railroad track across
the Blue Ridge at Rockfsh Gap is now beyond
question. For several months past the have been
passing over It with perfect safety The alarm crea
ted in the public mind owing to the sad accident
which occurred there before the regular trains
nenced crossing has subsidized. Those who are still
little dubious about their safety in being transport,
ed over the mountain by of steam engine,
perience a good deal more fear in the anticipation
than they do while going over. Were it not for the
recollection of the accident which have refer
red, We question very muci whether any one could
think of apprehendiug more danger in crossing the
mountain at RockfiIh Gap, by means Of the present
Railroad, than he would do on an ordinary track
The passenger feels perfectly safe-nnless it is one
possessed of extremely weak nervcs--and after the
mountain is crossed wo ders what there is in it after
all to be frightened about
There is more to occupy the attention than the ap.
prehenson of danger. The scenery is so truly sub
lime that all unnecessary fear about personal safety
is lost sight of in the contemplation of it To the
thousands who travel every year many hundred miles
to witness the curiosities of Nature the passage
the Blue Ridge at this point presents attractions we'll
worth their notice. 1t may not be altogether equal
t, trip to tho Natural Bridge or to Niagara Falls
but we all in search Of pleasant excur>
sion and fond OF witnessing beautiful scenery, that t
will amply repay them for a trip. To many visiting
the Virginia Springs, this season. additional attrac
tons thereby presented to take the route of the
Central Railroad either in goitg or in returning They
arrive in S:aunton by . or 8 O'Clock the Samr day
they leave Richmond dine there and can land at the
White Sulphur Springs the next day; or, if they
wish to visit the Rockbrdge Alum can arrive at that
place by the middle of the second day. Ella Lex>
ington.
The successful experiment of crossing the noun
tain by this temporary track has added greatly to the
travelling facilities offordei now by the Central Rail-
road. Much praise is due to the efficient Engineer
(Mr Ellct) and to the President aud other officers
of the Company, for the skill and expedition with
which this great work has been constructed So en-
tire has been the of the enterprise that many
disposed to think il might the purpose OF
tunncng the mountain and that had it been proposed
sooner would hsve saved the State the heavy cost
incurred by the tunnel. 4 moderate cut on the top
of the mountain would have made the grade much
easier on both sides, and admits OF the suppostion
that the tunnel might have been dispensed with alto
gether When consider the haste in which it was
constructed, and the Temporary object aimed only
to he attained, it must be pronounced, by every
one be great achievement 1t answers the purpose
admirably for which intended; and in the course
of a few years moro Col Crozett will have his mag
nfcent 'under ground railroad completed which
we pleased to learn that distinguished Engineer is
vigorously prosecuting. '..... .....