Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-09-29
sUNBuRY AND ERIE RAILROAD OPEN.

ING.
On Friday afternoon, In company with Mr.. !
J l.. IIutchison, member of Select Council |
from the Twentieth Ward, and Robert Fair |
les, Esq Chief Engineef of the Sunbury and
Erie Railroad Company, we received ON invi-
tation to ride in the first train of cars over
the new link extending from Milton to North
umberland. In the course of this week, this
will afford an outlet for the anthracite coal of
the middle region, westward. The different
railroad and coal companies interested in the
completion Of the lines of railroad running
North and West have had several fiat boats
constructed, on which coal is to be taken
across the Susqpehanna river from Sunbury
to Northumberland, in the cars. Each fat
is large enough to carry six loaded cars
These boats are towed to Northumberland
by the steamboat, and at that place the cars
run on to the road Just finished and opened.
The only drawback to commencing the trade
Immediately is the want Of proper facilities
to get the cars from the boats TO the track.
A basin $50 long and 125 feet wide is being
dug above the first lock on the west Branch
Canal of Northumberland, which is to be done
by Thursday. This m )rning the first regular
passenger train will pass over the new road,
and after TO day, four trains will run each day
from northumberland to IVillamspurt.
The link of the Sunbury and Eric, just
completed, is IL miles in length. The road
bed is one of the most substantial in the
country and is almost level--the descent be-
tween Northumberland and Milton being less
than so feet. About nine-tenlhs Of the dis
tancc is straight line. There are only three
curves in the road, and those are less than
two degrees each The cross-ties are laid
within two feet Of the centres, and embedded
in ballast l9 inches deep, and the rails are OF
the L pattern, CT pounds TO the yard. The
only bridge is that over tho Chilisquaque
Creek. 100 feet long. 1t is n Howe truss
bridge and built with every evidence Of solid
ity. The cnterprising contractors, Messrs j..
B. and w. G.. Morehead, have constructed o
road for the Sunbury and Erie Company that
will compare favorably with the best road in
the country or IN the world. That portion al
ready acquired celebrity for smoothness and
durability, and we have no doubt that those
who may chance to pass over the second link
will be no less pleased with its construction.
From Northumberland to Sunbury Messrs.
Morehead are progressing very rapidly with
the bridges over the Susquehanna. and before
New Year it is anticipated both will be fin
ished and ready for the coal and passenger
trains. The western bridge is Of the Howe
truss patent, 100 feet long. 1t extends
from the west side of the island across the
river and canal. There are six spans of l6l
feet each from centre Of piers, and one span
OF 100 feet across the canal. Three spans
are done and ready for the arches and rails,
and two Of the other piers are ready FOR the
Gaping. The other bridge from the island
east is the Burr improved bridge, 1000 feet
long. Two spans Of this are Gearly flushed
and few days more will complete the piers.
From the bridge to the connection, at Sum-
bury, with the Philadelphia and Sunbury
Railroad, the road bed has been prepared for
the cross ties and rails.
At Northumberland q turn-tahle has been
constructed under the superintendent o.
Mr.. w. w. Morrison, one of the corps o
engineers, and sufficient sidclings to accom-
/ mocate the business Of the new road. The
| importance Of this link TO the Sunbury ant
/ Erie Company, and to Hestern ennsylvanii
and Northern and lFestern New Y York, can
not be properly estimated at present. While
! in Suubnry on Saturday, We were informed
that "A company Of gentlemen in Elmira haC
made contract for one hundred housdnt
tons Of coal, to be supplied to that place thi
year, and that heavy contracts had also beel
made with parties at Buffalo, Niagara Falls
Dunkirk and Rochester, n. Y. For this lat
ter city boat load of 60 tons was shippe'
on Friday afternoon.
In n few weeks 50 miles Of tho western di
vision Of the road from Erie harbor TO the bi
luminous coal fields in Mexican county, vii
be let to responsible contractors, on very ia
vorable terms for the company; and the lin
from IVilliamsport to the mouth Of Sinnem0
honing Creek, &C miles, contracted for sever
al months ago, is to be pushed forward vigol
ously, and completed during next year
This would leave only 81 miles to be compile
ted, to unite Philadel phia with the harbor {
Erie -Pkiid LedGcr.