The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-30
GRAND RAILROAD EXCURSION IN PENNSYLVANIA.


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Opening OF the QuaLal<e Railroad-Trip Of
the Exrursionists 20 the Valleys Of the Lee
high and observation-disclosures Cere-
mony-Spceches Of senator Cameron, Ex-
Senator Brothead, Judge Packer, Hon.
VIM. ID. Lewis, Col. Parsons, John jackson
and others-yisit 10 the Coal Mines--Ascent
90 Mount Pisgah-(sravity Railroads-Wo on
derful Speed An Artificial Volcano -
Scenery Along the Route OF the Excursion,
&c., sc.
The opening of the Quakake Railroad proved to
be one of the most pleasant Affairs of the season.
The excursion through the valleys of the Lehigh and
Susouehanna and the visit of the invited guests to
the coal mines will long be remembered by those
who were fortunate enough to participate in
the pleasure. Before entering into the details
of the trip il would be well, perhaps, to
make the reader acquainted with the geo.
graphical position of the new road and the
object of its construction. This new line extends
from point near Weatherly, Pennsylvania, thirteen
miles above Mauch Chunk, on the Beaver Meadow
Railroad, to the line of the Catswissa Railroad,
uniting Herewith at the junction, about nine miles
above Tamaqua, forming the only through route OF
railroad between the valleys OF the Lehigh and Sus-
ouehanna and opening the first communication by a
direct railroad route from the city of New York to
the interior of Pennsylvania also affording new
outlet from Philadelphia via the North Pennsylvania
Railroad to the Susquehanna, and via the Williams
port and Elmira Railroad to the State of New York
and the great Northwest. The road is short one,
its distance being only twenty miles; but its
nections are of the most important nature For in
stance the entire trade of the valley of the Susque
hanna, including the great coal business which was
hitherto directed to Philadelphia can now, by the
connection of the Quakake Railroad with the Gaia
wissa and Beaver Meadow roads, be diverted to
New York, and the result will be a
saving of at least seventyfive cents or a
dollar per ton in shipping coal and all kinds of
freight to this city. Instead of sending freight from
the valley of the Susquehanna to New York vis
Philadelphia as has been the case for years, for
warders can ship it direct to this city, and thus
the unnecessary expense of transshipment at Phila
delphia. Besides this, it opens the most direct
passenger route to the far West and when the
sary arrangements are completed it is destined to
become the most avorite route for travellers Then
again valuable coal fields which have hitherto re-
manned locked up in the heart of the Allegheny
mountains will be opened, and made the source of
much profit to capitalists in New York Philadelphia
and elsewhere, while at the same time it will be
great benefit to consumers. The great Mahoney
coal field, hitherto inaccessible to the New York
market can now be worked to an immense advan-
tage over that Of the Lackawanna Schuylkill.
The total distance from New York to the Mahoney
coal fields Is lac miles, and a direct route being
opened TO those mines, supply OF coal equal in
amount to that obtained from the Schuylkill and
Iackawsnna mines can be sent forward to New
York at saving of at least 75 cents per ton. II Is
intended 70 extend the Quakake Railroad to Ashton
where there are other coal fields OF immense wealth,
and the ceremony of breaking ground on this new
extension was performed on Wednesday by Senator
Cameron. in the presence of the excursionists who
were invited to attend the opening of the Quakake
road. From the junction Of the Quakake with the
Catawissa Railroad to Ashton, is distance Of %
miles and, according to the report Of the engineer,
the grade Is az no place more than ftytwo feet to
the mile. From the summit of the mountain at
Ashton there ia an inclined plain to all markets
New York and Philadelphia alike. These mines
are represented TO be very rich. and the
projectors Of the enterprise sanguine OF realizing
a handsome profit out OF the undertaking. Thus II
will be seen that although the Qaakake Railroad is
comparatively Insignificant in length, II is all inn
portant in its connections and especially To the cti-
zens of New York, inasuIuCb - shortens the dis
lance between the valley Of the Susquehauna and
New York some sixty or seyenty,hye miles, and
city at a proportionate decrease in the price OF
freight
The scheme Of uniting the valleys OF the Lehigh
New York was conceived some years ago. but the
financial crash Of last year retarded its completion
and II was not until times assumed a brighter
aspect that the company felt able to COM
plete the work. The capital Of the company
Is 500, 900. IL Is represented by $500 900 worth
of stock and 100000 of ten per cent bonds
The company own about l,200 acres OF coal
land which is situated the north side OF the road
near the Catawissa junction, and is valued at
500 900. The greater part Of the capital has been
supplied by residents OF New York although the
interest felt by the citizens OF Philadelphia in the
enterprise is by no means small The Office Of the
company is situated in Philadelphia, and the Pres
dent, Mr.. Charles Hartshorne, is Philadelphia
gentleman. The Catawissa Railroad Company will
supply the rolling stock over the Quakake road
until next spring, when the latter company intend
running cars Of their own construction. The gauge
OF the new road Is the same all the PENNSYLVANIA
roads, namely four feet eight and a half inches and
corresponds with that OF the Beaver Meadow and
can be rSn from the Junction Of G the c Sals
visa Railroad TO Easton. change OF cars at
the last named place enables the traveller TO get
aboard the Central New Jersey Railroad cars in
which be u conveyed TO Jersey City without any
further trouble.
Agreeable 60 invitation. the excursionists from
New York took the Central New Jersey ferry boat
Wyoming. at pier No. North river, on Tuesday
noon, and started for Easton. distant IS miles AZ
ESston the party changed cars, and taking the ehigh
Valley Railroad. started for Bethlehem. where il
was arranged the excursionists from Philadelphia
should meet US. Arriving here in safety, the New
Workers put up at the best hotel in town, and the
following morning they were down az the depot az
an early hour. awaiting the arrival OF the Phade.
phisns. Having been Joined by the invited guests
from the Quaker City, az the appointed hour the en-
tire party. 20 the number Of two hundred, perhaps
got on board the excursion train and started along
the Beaver Meadow road TO the junction Of the Qua
kake Railroad.
Among the distinguished persons present on this
occasion were Senator Cameron. ex Senator Brod-
head, Col Joseph PaNson. Judge Packer the Hon.
William B.Lewis and John Tucker, Of Pennsylvania;
Edward r Bidolo and the Hon. Alexander :. Owen.
Of New York, and John Y. Jackson Vice President
Of the New Jersey Railroad Company.
The scenery along the rOate was most beautiful
On one side Of US flowed the sparkling waters of
the Lehigh river while eur left, towering above
our heads, rose the majestic peaks Of the Blue
or kiftafinV Mnnntains. Five miles nhnrn Rnfhle