The Portland daily press., 1868-12-03
The Maine Central Railroad Extension
What Direction ShouId IL Takes

The Maine Central Railroad Extensf0n !
What Direction should II Takes
Mr.. EDrToR,-Now that the attention of |
business men is directed to the locating and |
building of the Ogdensburg railroad, 1t is by |
no means unlikely that an advantage-secon-
Diary indeed, but yet sooner and more easily
gained-may be lost by oversight and neglect
l refer to the locating of the Maine Central
road which. it is understood, is to be extended
from Danville junction to Portland The
present condition Of the Grand Trunk road
would seem well calculated to hasten the COM
pletion of this work and it behooves the bus-
ness men of your city and vicinity to see to it
that it results in advantage both to the road
and to the city.
The route now looked upon with favor seems
to be from Danvile to Gray; thence, through
Cumberland and Falmouth, east of Black
strap, to Portland. By this route, they will be
compelled to approach the p. & X road to
within at least hal. mile, at a distance OF
some seven miles from the city; and from that
point, must of course, run nearly parallel to
the same. 1t will readily occur to any one at
all acquainted with that section, that from
Gray to the oity-a distance of about fifteen
dllits-lut IOdu Cdu uCNCI udNC any COuSiuCl
able business; nor is it likely that the towns
through which it will pass--already having
two roads-will contribute much to the build
ing OF third.
Now let US see III what way the city may be
approached SO as to give the road paying
business tor its whole extent; and at the same
time, open to the city fresh sources of prosper
ity. Continuing from Gray, in about the
same direction the town was approached, a
distance of two miles will bring the road into
the valley of the Pleasant river in Windham,
which contains some of the best farming lands
in the country, and which will eventually
| yield large surplus OF agricultural products
for the market. This valley leads to that of
the Presumpscot which may easily be follow
| ed as far as Saccarappa, and from that point
| let the road seek the city by the most direct
route. do not claim that the road can be
constructed along this route more cheaply
than by the first mentioned; indeed, it,
must evidently cost more for bridges, stations
and right of way; but the aid it will receive
from the towns through which it will pass
will more than counterbalance the extra ex-
pense
city, it will have opened 10 trade portion of
country lying just tar enough beyond its bor
ders TO need communication by steam; but
which has hitherto wanted all facilities foI
transportation. The road will make available
vast and valuable water power upon the Pre-.
sumpscot, which it is of the utmost importance
to the city to have improved. Even to stran'
ger, the first view shows that the main chance
for Portland lies in building up manufacturing
villages along the river. Too long have those
falls been idle, and enterprise in the valley OF
the Presumpscot been stagnated by the want
of easy communication with the city. Only
let railroad touch at these several fails, and
villages will spring up rivaling that at Congin.
Indeed, if the directors would adopt this route
the proper course would be to commence al
| the city and build toward Danville. Every
mile beyond Saccarappa would pay.
YARMOUTH, Dec. 2, 1863 I. B. @.