Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-11-29
81. Row, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
CLEARFIELD, PA, NOV. %. 1865.
a New Railroad.

We learn that the Atlantic and Great
Western Railroad Company, principally
European capitalists, and of whom Sir Nor
ton Peto, now in this country, Is chief, has
leased the Catawissa and other railroads,
and purchased the charters for Others, which
together will enable the company to con-
struct continuous line of Railroad from
the city of New York to Cincinnati, Ohio.
The greater portion of this road is already
constructed, at both ends-ieaving but that
portion between Milton In Northumberland
county, and Franklin in Venango county,
to be made. The contemplated route be-
tween these two points is through White
Deer Valley in Union county; Sugar and
Nittany Valleys in Clinton county up Fish
ing Creek, Mil Hall, Bald Eagle and Beech
creek to Snow Shoe, in Centre county, and
thence by Clearfeld and Brookville to Frank
lin-making it much the shortest route be-
tween the great oil region in Pennsy lvania
and the Atlantic sea coast. The distance,
in straight line, from Milton to Franklin
Is 15S miles, but by the contemplated sur
vey lI5 miles, as follows: from Milton to
Clearfeld 80 miles, from Clearfeld to Brook
vile 40, and from Brookville to Franklin 4j.
By the Philadelphia and Erie road the dis
tance to the oil region Is 239 miles, and tC
Erie city 276. The Atlantic and Great
Western road is therefore Ga miles shorter
to the oil region, aud about the same dis
tance less to the State line.
There are in use what are called broad
guage, and narrow guage roads. The Penn
sylvania roads generally are narrow guage
the rails being feet 81 inches apart while
on other roads the rails are 6 feet apart, ant
are called broad guage. This great centra
thoroughfare is to be furnished with thre
rails, making it both a narrow and broa'
suasv s.ny v.--~
road can pass over it. When completes
this line will extend from New York to Gin
cinnati, by route i20 miles shortert han an
other, where it connects with a broad guag
road tthe Ohio and Mississippi to ST Louis
That this road will, eventually, be extende'
to the Pacific coast, there is little doubt, thu
making one continuous and complete iro
SidCh tiic tntlTC An
there seems to be no doubt, that the porto
of the road, lying between Milton an
Franklin, will be built shortly, as the none
to complete it is en- hands. The necessar
surveys are to be made Immediately, an
the road put under contract at an early day
When completed it will be formidable ri
val of the Pennsylvania Central, and tn
Philadelphia and Erie Railroads, and wi
have tendency to materially lessen tn
coast of travel, and to cause a reduction i
the transportation of freight
Clearfeld, it will be observed, is mention
ed in connection with the building of tn
Atlantic and Great Western Railway
Should this place be made a. point in it
location, our borough will certainly deriv
much benefit therefrom-its borders wi
be extended, its business increased, and tn
value of property enhanced. In view {
these facts, our business men and capita
lists should give this great railway enterpns
all The encouragement they can, as it wi
be not only the means Of building up on
town, but will develop the resources of ou
entire county.