, 1863-02-16
GATEE OF TEE PACIFIC RAIL-
ROAD

NA1AO OaNt Ads uEeA lAc SuHJCCt u C14tACIs4l
by the advocates Of both broader and nar-
rover gauges. While vc can see no par
ticular advantagein in favor Of that adopted,
there are Several cogent reasons why the
four feet, eight and onc-half inch gauge
should have been decided upon. II this
road is great military necessity, us has
justly been claimed, the aim of its friends
and Of the Government, will, in great
measure, be defeated by the adoption Of the
fyc-foot gauge, There is but one other
road in operation with this gauge, which is
the Sacramento Valley" from Sacramento
to Folsom, CAL, distance Of twenty-five
and one-half miles. The gauge used in the
principal Western and Southern States is
four feet, eight and onc-lalf inches.
In Ohio, there are six different gauges in
use; four railroads with gauge of feet
8 IL inches; twenty Of feet, 10 inches;
one of4 feet, 0 1-o inches; two OF 8 feet, 4
inches; one Of i feet, 10 inches; and two
of6 feet. In Indiana, there is one of 4 feet
10 inches, all others being 4 feet, s 1-a inch
cs In Illinois, two Of feet, 10 inches, one
Of feet, and tTcnty-one Of feet, 8 1-2
inches. In Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa
and Kansas, all are feet, IL inches In
Missouri, the H. & St. Jo r. R, is 4 feet,
s 1-e inches, oil others, feet. inches. In
Louisiana, four Of feet, 8 1-2 inches, and
two Of 5 feet, 6 inches
n ~ ~,
roads are Of the feet, 1-e inch gauge,
and especially is this the case in those
Western States where connections would
be made with the main Pacific or its
branches. The events that have transpircd
during the rast three years convince US
That we cannot anticipate the future of our
country, IN all respects. Suppose this road
should be constructed, with the fiyc-foot
gauge, and the Government found it neccs-
sary to transport large number Of troops
and heavy trains Of supplies, on short no
dce. In all probability, the rolling stock
necessary would be at various points along
the line, OR, perhaps, at the Western tcr1ni
nus, in which event, the great enterprise
would faii toanswcr the purposes for which
ii was IN part designed and constructed
Just at the time most needed. and from
which disastrous consequences must cnsuc
On the other hand, if tile feet, 8 1-o inch
gauge, so universally in use, were adopted
in case Of emergency, any desired number
Of locomotives and cars could be pressed
into the service, from connecting roads
with little or no delay. This is not only q
possibility, but very probable case. Tit
disadvantages of break in gauge have
been sufficiently demonstrated, III the de-
lays occssioucl in the movement Of ftroon.
and supplies, during the present war.
1t has been argued that the great diycrsI
ty in widths Of track, in the United States
are the results Of ofcxpcritncnts made by dill
tercnt engineers and builders, and that nj
gauge has been fully decided upon, as hay
ing advantages over all others. The mos
eminent engineers and experienced railroad
men, have given their preference for the I
feet, 8 1-2 inch gauge; and many wouli
doubtless decide in favor Of tic fiye-foo
gauge. il the whole railway system WAS tt
be decided upon. bad the present cxten
OF railroad communication in tile Unitet
'o'a'es oeen forc=ccn, Congress would prob
:loiy have provided, Ill tic outset for ar
uniform gauge.
lhere are Some singular Iacts connected
with the history Of the introduction Of va.
tous gauges, two Of which We will mo,.
lion. George Stephenson, the ce1o,r,taa
British engineer, first cxpcrimcntc1 w;,,'
propeliing power. by placing lis machine
- uhrJn N wagon, the track or gauge o
which was feet, s 10 inches in width
hence the adoption, at an curly day, Of til
gauge which is now almost universal
used.
The Little Miami Railroad was the fir:
built in the West, and the gauge was fittc
1oa secondhand construction locomotiy
purchased from the Camden and Ambc
Il. r.. whicl, was 4 feet, 10 inches, wllie
accounts for tl,e introduction Of that gau!
in the Vest.
In the construction Of several Wcste'
ro,6e 11,cre are mechanical difference
lrn,ozely devised, in some Gases to n'
..:s ga: t-::tirn 1.y the use ff c3nnfc''7
1cg:, ss &-li.lIits zoIs:s. Inc Aen