The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-05
Ill

THIS invigorating motto. or course their achieve.
work and temperate habits, not by those men who
nave been prodiga OF the energies OF life at its out
sS., VINO nave worn themselves down In the pursuit
god or pleasure In the first few years OF existence
40 MI VINO work there with will each day witnesses
IKE bread upon the waters Even at the inception
than syp tnaa was OF so much greater magnitude
| W. WIN ue again under such auspices, the thread
Is broken and moments rest is desired.
| The Rocky Mountain Excrr.,o,,s,. cro.,
Pittsburs to Chicago-The Pittsburs, Fort
Wayne and Chicago Railroads.&c. MANAGE.
| ment and Its General Conditiou-The Party
Meet Friends-Again Westward Ho.
win an IDEA similar to that, perhaps thar caused
Dr. Johnson to remark that the finest prospect in the
world was the one up Fleet street. the ladies and
some Of the gentlemen OF the Rocky Mountain ex.
curson party Immediately after leaving Pittsburg
speeding at times forty miles an hour towards
Chicago that modest town where inhabitants have
but little coincidence in themselves" almost petu-
lantly expressed that, Notwithstanding the glorious
hours In anticipation ere their journey should be
complete one. that New York, however great
the attractions OF the outside world, was yet q
pleasant place to live WEAKNESS had asserted
It's supremacy, and with folded note books,
wherein In delicate characters the observing
ladies had attempted to note the incidents OF the
trip, they endeavored to dose and thus rest But
u.
Wayne and Chicago iroad i much OF an impossi-
blity and so much Of absurdity that the thought
becomes supremacy ridiculous. Rough, uneven rail-
roads are numerous in the United States; sharp
abrupt curves are too frequently to be found, and
many engineers shoot along them with but little
reflection for either the safety or comfort of travel
lers, but pre-eminenty the toughest the least
pleasant OF many roads traversed over, the above
holds the winning hand. 1t Is dusty, In many places
out OF repair their passenger cars OFFER but little
favorable "a
and so far practicable to further observe, ''rdin2
on that rail' is sufficiently startling without the
usual concomitant of tar and feathers 1t does noe
present the least semblance OF pleasing re-
Before these assertions are made good it will not
be mdldprOpOS to note the revolution that harassed
the sensitive minds OF the Pittsburgers at that time
In regard to the above railroad, that doomed up in
their maglnatiOns as an avenging hand TO sweep at
one fell blow business and prominence from their
not to put too fine point upon It, was wrathy
about the LIST OF June, and the reasons these-
connection there with the Fort Wayne, and fearing
the construction OF Q proposed railway route to be
roads, already having made progress over an ex-
ceedingly favorable route to Philadelphia, whereby
monopoly (CentraD, the latter would nos
allow this and, falling to obtain control OF
boldly for the Fort Wayne, and winning The alb,
sorpton OF this road would prevent the new lines
from carrying out their laudable intentions, and only
when the contract for the swallowing up Fort
Wayne was In preparation did the jealous business
men or Pittsburg exhibit their anger, breathing
anathemas against the Central as they considered it
an mperious MASTER and their last act of hostility TO
the city serious and lasting injury TO its business
This was the basis OF the trouble that hung like
dark clouds Of smoke over the city as the excur
sionlsts passed along It's limits, ana none seemed
more enjoyed at the vtuperative language mutually
used than the stockholders composing portion OF
the party.
Now to the Fort Wayne Road. Naturally, in the
inspection OF railroads, the first thing which de-
mands attention Is the ties. As the practsed eye
examines them at different points upon the road IL
lessness apparent regarding their condition. Few
miles out OF Pttsburg they noticed to in too
many instances uns0und or worn as to be worth.
less; and yet there little evidence OF their
9eng removed ana renewed This deficiency az
such a number OF places that even those who were
Interested to an extent I'm its operations joined their
expressions OF disapproval at the laxty OF those
having this branch OF the route In charge There IA
also an evidence that better durable wood than
some OF them are made OF could be used. The seec-
ton OF this Ia OF such moment and generally ad-
mitted to be OF the greatest Importance that seems
almost supernuous to allude to it.
The ballastipg OF the road next in importance IL
not equally "a much SO as the matter OF ties, was
observed. stone balasting is held by competent
railway engineers to be the better mode OF givanx
security tOthe foundation OF railroad but thus
perenced overseers when being carried on that
thOughtless and careless aborers should not slight
IL, but excellent determination, that it should DO
perfectly or even decently finished. SO far as could
be noted the Fort Wayne road exhibits a amentabIc
deficiency IN this respect and 1t has the effect at
first sight Of giving the observer the impression that
the road was but poorly cared for-perhaps greatly
neglected would be the more appropriate term
The bridges or every railroad Its vital parts Ir
care in the construction OF these Is exercised III
proper knowledge OF the strength OF materials Is
not possessed by engineers having such CHARGE II
miserable, shiftless, insecure unpardonably Cheap
structures are thrown hurrie1y broad rivers
deep ravlnes ana wide chasms II wood IA used where
iron Is almost economical but not being quite So
Is never given reflection and the wooden structure
is allowed suffer general decay because OF neglect
or the necessary expenditure of a few dollars: then
indeed the traveller may DC appalled, at the risks of
railway transportation while light breaks upon hts
has
In the matter Of broken bridges within the
limited history. OF rairoading In the United
states, sent whizzing 10 destruction trains upon
trains aud the dart Of death to thousands OF hearts,
Yes, they may be shocked at the reckessnsss ex-
hibted In this vital particular, too frequently OBJ
servable along roads miles from signal stations,
surrounded by a wilderness, and then pertnently
bridges and culverts along the Fort Wayne route
bear evidence OF uniitness, embodying hastness OF
construction, deficiency OF materials and strengthen
ing appliances, and hence there Ia insecurity.
Wood structures are nearly everywhere used these
oftentiines swept away by a moderate rise OF The
water beneath. Where iron bridges but as much
again per iineai foot ~ wooden structures are not
subjected To burning nor the thousand dangers
that assa the lightly constructed wooden affairs, it
seems 70 be an insult from heartess corporations to
an intelligent travelling public that they affect dan
ger evidence OF success rather than safety in
the transmission OF those who meet too many dan
The track OF the Fort Wayne road. except In few
places, and then TO no extent. Is a single one. the
rails too frequently bear the evidence OF hard USAGE
and seem light IN character; too greatly for the
heavy trains that pass frequently over them. Occa-
sonaly for great distances after leaving stations and
then again miles beyond, rails were seen that werc
worn az sides, presenting a torn appearance pieces
being broken away by the excessive weight Of trains
or the result OF poor quality OF iron. This GER
tainy ut variance with the idea OF security and
requires remedial action.
There are IN too many instances noticeable depart
ures rom levels making abrupt curves seemingly
for economy's sake only. Cuts are avoided an II
they were plaques where straigher lines might have,
with little additional expense, been maintained. All
engineers recognize the decacy Of laying out the
curves Of railroads The computation necessary to
insure perectness and safety In this matter requires
well trained minds and cool heads. When laying
track, where IL IL expected considerable speed may
De attained, is the custom 10 elevate the outer rail
on curves that the centrifugal force be counter
acted which In excited by the rapidly with which
Or ua