The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-09-20
Mount Ccnis Samn,it Railway.

The London Times gives very graphic ac-
count of the passage of the first train over this
remarkable railroad The track generally fol-
lows the road of the First Napoleon, which
once attracted the notice of the world This
summit railroad was traversed by a locomotive
and two cars. The whole length Is forty-eight
miles, Several gentlemen of distinction ac-
oOmpanied the train, and among them MI.
Fell, who is the inventor of the system which
consists of the application of central double-
headed rail placed on its side in the middle OF
the way, and elevated about fourteen inches
above the ordinary rails. There are four hori-
zontai driving wheels on the engine, under the
control OF the engine driver, which can be
made by pressure to grasp the central rail so
as to utilize the whole power of the engine. and
so enable it to work upl incredible gradients
without slipping. The cars, also, have four
horizontal wheels underneath, which, with the
central rail, form complete safety-guard 1t
would seem, therefore, impossible for the en-
gine or the cars to leave the rails when the
central one is laid. ''' g "'''.'' ~ ..ad
The train started from st. Michel, which is
situated in a deep valley, and passed by gra-
dent of one in thirty, to the Pont de Ia Denis
where an iron bridge spans the river Arcq. As
the train passed Tourneau the workmen on
the Grand Tunnel of the Alps turned out and
cheered it ON its way. The first very steep
gradient of one in twelve was passed in Madone.
1t seemed impossible TO surmount as it appeared
foreshortened to the view; but the engine was
equal to the task, and clutching the rail with
its horizontal wheels glided quickly up without
apparent effort. The scenery here is magnifi-
cent, the curves affording different views while
passin galong the edges of the deep ravines. The
train entered Lansleburg station under tri-
nmphant arch, having accomplished twenty
four miles of distance, and attained an eleva-
tion of 100 feet above st. Michel.
From this point the zig-za commence, and
the gradients over distance of four miles were
for the most part one in twelve. Looking down
from this point, as If from balloon, four of the
zg-zags were visible at the same instant, to q
depth of two thousand feet. The power Of the
engine was satisfactorily tested in the ascent,
and the summit was reached amid salvos Of
artillery from an improvised battery, and amid
the cheers of French and Italians. The engine
again comes to stand at an elevation OF 500
feet above the sea. Flags of three nations
were waved in triumph. This summit is sur
rounded hy snow clad peaks and glaciers, rising
to an elevation of more than ten thousand feet.
The descent to Susa was series of the sharp
est curves and steepest gradients on which the
central rail had been continuously laid. The
valley of the Dora, with Susa and the convent
of St. Michel visible for thirty miles in the dis
tance, presented magnificent panorama as
the train passed through clear atmosphere
round the mountain side. ~ %
Thus was completed journey unexampled
in its character, both as it respects the steep
ness of gradients, the elevation Of the summit
level, and the difficulty with which the curves
and precipices were overcome. We expect to
chronicle, one of these days not far distant III
the future the running of the fiist train through
the Notch Of the White Mountains. That viii
be q day of rejoicing for Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Vermont, and the far West. Although
it may not be equal in grandeur and sublimity
to the Mont Cents Railway, yet it is an enter
prise which may well attract the earnest atten-
ton of the people. The gradients through this
mighty gorge are<not such as to demand the
third rail and the horizontal wheels of engines
and cars to grasp them in the upward move
mont This road will undoubtedly be construct
ted in due season, and when it is completed
I'D o,.s!s>.ss- ts>s f,s &C T.. .ss--',A
and along the road will frankly confess that
the enterprise was very far from being over
estimated by its early friends.