The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-29
The Pacific Railway.

proportions as the Union Pacific, through an
almost unbroken wilderness, was an under
taking fully equal TO the progressive and un-
daunted genius Of the American people. In
contemplation for years before the outbreak
of the Shareholders Rebellion, fresh impetus
to the movement was impaired by this das
tardly attempt to destroy the integrity Of the
Union. Previous to the war, it was generally
conceded that such a grand highway Of the
nation would assist in a material degree in
binding together the extreme Eastern and
Western sections Of the country, as we'll as in
developing the vast resources of the unsettled
territory which lays between. The outbreak
of the war placed the whole scheme in an
entirely new light before the people; from
being regarded as a mere matter of expediency
and usefulness it came to be considered in its
true light, that of an absolute and paramount
necessity. And no sooner was this necessity
recognized by the people than, despite the
burdens of the war and the stagnation Of
almost every branch of business which ensued,
the dream of a quarter of a century was trans
formed into the first stage of its full reali-
zation.
The work has progressed steadily and salts
factorily from the outset. Over plain and
mountain, through valley and canon, the
great army Of engineers and mechanics has
advanced, until about eight hundred miles of
substantial track have been bolted and barred
to the earth, and the highest point in the en-
tire route attained. The arrival at this point
without encountering any obstacle of an in
surmountable character signalzes the grand
success which eventually awaits the under
taking. The threading Of the wilderness with
an iron pathway is no longer scheme; it is
practically an accomplished fact, which needs
but the lapse of little more time before the
nation at large will be enabled to realize it
lasting and almost incaculable benefits.
Apart from the results which are to flow
from the enterprise, we can watch its steady
progress with feelings of profound interest.
glance at the work reveals the stupendous
character of the undertaking. Every mile of
track requires more than 220, 900 pounds of
rail, and every pound of this must be trans
ported from the East distance of more than
1000 miles The process of placing the rails
in position is one which resembles the opera
tions ola hostile army, rather than the motions
of a crowd of peaceful laborers. A light car,
loaded with rails, is drawn to the front by a
single horse on the gallop; halt is made at
the very end of the rails last placed on the
ties; in moment, two rails, one on
each side, have been grasped and
carried forward to their allotted place,
and at the word 'down" they are dropped in
the precise position desired, at the rate of
four to the minute, each being twenty eight
feet in length. This process is kept up in
never-endipg succession, the empty horse-oars
which have carried the rails to the front being
hurled from the track as soon as unloaded,
that the progress of the great work may not
be impeded. The legion of gaugers, spikers,
and boilers presses hard upon the advance
guard of track-layers, and within five minutes
from the time the rail is dropped in its place
it is finally adjusted and secured, and fully
ready for the advancing trains. There is no
delay by reason of irregularities in the sur
face of the earth along the line Of the road,
the embankments and excavations being kept
hundred miles in advance of the end of the
track, that the bed of the railway may be
firmly settled before the rails are laid.
Built with such wonderful rapidty, one
might be justified apparently in doubling the
substantial character of the work. But the
reports of those who have been whirled over
the road at the rate of sixty miles an hour
with ease, comfort, and a sense of perfeo,
safety, put all such doubts to rest. That the
work is both safe and solid we have every
reason to believe, both from those who have
inspected it in an official capacity, and from
many others who have been led to make the
journey to the end of the track in their capa
city as private citizens, from mere objects o.
curiosity.
So the great work goes forward, as fast and
as satisfactorily as the most impatient anG
exacting could demand. In two years, at tn,
most extrewe limit, it will be completed; ant
the Union Pacific Railway will then be one
the wonders of this New World of wonders,
bond of peace, prosperity, and harmony be
tween the East and the West.
A Query Answered.
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