The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-14
Opening Of the Great Railway Suspension
Bridge Mt Niagara Falls.
UNION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CANADAs.
GIrot h. un In I'm

UNION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CANADAs.
IRON the Buffalo Express, March 10.
special train left Hamilton, c. w., yesterday morn.
ing for the purpose of crossing the suspension bridge
being the first train that has paised this magni
cent triumph OF engineering skill. The Managing d.
rector Of the Great Western railway the Vice President
and the heads Of the several departments with their
Tie passenger engine and tender crowded with people,
crossed TO the American sde and after returning,
appearance On the track gaiy decorated with British
and American coors-Aying in honor of the union Of
British America and the United States-and crowded
with the novelty and excitement seeking spectators At
the emit that the colossal engine entered upon the
bridge the crowd united their voice in singing God
Save the Queen and passed to the centre three
hearty cheers given and responded to by the de-
lighted multitude on both the American and Canadian
si6ef of the river.
The train Their proce to the American side where
British mipgling with Yankee voices-tHan Cclum.
ba" and "Yapbee Doodle" were sung with the same
hesrfine and spirit that had chara the singing
Of Britain national air.
The opening Of this mighty and magnificent structure
well worthy of being clased with the worlds wonders
really ferns an epoch in the history of the world 1t
untes with strong iron bands two countriesto the in
tenigepce and enterprise Of whose inhabitants the
brieee owes its existence, and stands fitting monu-
ment.
Its strength can never be fully tested-the weight of
fully laden train being but triae in comparison to-
its capacity A train Of eight cars filed with passes:
gers two baggage cars locomotive and tender, weigh
but about lS0 tons this being only sxeth Of its
immense capacity
The influence that this union of railroads will have
both in commercial and social point OF view,
traffic that already this delightful and expeditions
route under the heretofore existing want Of connections
Of tie railways terminating at the bridge.
The railway portion of the bridge is understand
leased and controlled by the Great Western Railway
Company ard has laid upon it tracks of three different
gauges, viz
Tbs New York Central, feet s1S;
The Elmra, Capandaisua and N; Falls, feet;
The Great Western, feet inches;
thus aording facilities for the transit Of passengers
and freight from all the different lines.
The following statistics will give some idea OF the
great bridge end its capacity, from which inter
esting calculations might be made-such total length
Of wires, &c &c.-bot these must be reserved for
future OCCASION
length of span from centre 10 centre of to Eers s22 feet
Height tower above rock on the Amercan side So "
Do. do do. Canada IS
Do. do. do. floor of railw'y, 60 I"
Number OF wire cables. 4
Diameter of each cable. 10 inch.
Number of No wires each cable ....... 1899
Ultimate aggregate strength Of cables IL 400 tons.
Weight of superstru cture .............. $50 "
Do. do and msxium loads 1850 A"
support - ..................... 1900
Height of track above water. ............ 234 feet