The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-03-20
rnc Grcnt American Railroad.

z A. Tic great railroad, whicl. j. 10 connect New
YdFE with san Francisco by an iron band 34OO
miles in length, approaches completion, the eyes
not merely Oi tiose living along It's line, but of
travellers in rcmotcr Parts Of tile world. are
turned towards it. vt the last aGyiccs the Union
Company lad reached Ogden city. near the head
Of salt Lake, 1850 miles from Omaha while
the Central Company, on thc 2sth Of Feb, was
within 81 miles Of Monument Point, and only lG2
miles from Ogden city. This gap Of IG2 miles
will probably be finished within thirty days, -
that by the iir-t OF April, or ~ tie i~artiest tLc
18th, trains can run through from Sacramento to
Omaha.
The fare during tie past winter has remained
~ S2si. in gsccnbacks from san Francisco To
New York, winch includes staging OF scyer.l
hundred miles. After the completion OF the
road the fare is to be reduced, and will probably
not exceed one hundred dollars in gold from San
Francisco to Omaha, though the price has not
yet been fixed. Winnie Tor secord-chIss Iasscn-
gers, We have tic authority o: President Stanford
that il viii not exceed Hisfy doHorS between the
same IOints,-a distance Of about 1000 miles.
Travellers viii probably not find tie arrangements
80 complete a. to afford comfort before May or
June, and those who undertake tic trip earlier
must expect to put up with discomfDrts.
SoJnag,cr the completion Of tie road, it is pro
posed 70 make Il grand pleasure excursion trip, for
which several very superior hotel and sleeping
cars are now being constructed. Great prcIarn-
tions are being made for this celebration, TO
which President Grant and tine Governors of all
thc States will be invited. If well carried out, it
viii be one of the greatest jubi!ees ever held in
America, ~ il will number at least one thousand
guests, who will be conveyed in ~forty-fyc luxu-
rious cars, which will start from Omaha some
time in July.
Another excursion is being planned, to take
place also during July, TO show TO the world how
rapidly tie through uip FROM New York to Sac
ramcntO can be made. Mr.. Durant. the Vice
President Of the Company, proposes to leave
New York or rather jersey city At six O'Clock on
the morning Of July lst, or whatever day may he
fixed ON, and arrive III Sacramento at the same
hour On the 4th-making tie entire passage i'll
s.r,aiy-itrO hours, OF an average Of io~rty-iour
and i half miles per hour the entire distance.
This extraordinary speed can only be accom-
plishcd by having tie track between New York
and Omaha kept clear of all trains that might
interfere or cause delay. But il can easily DC
effected by the help of the telegraph and by sta
tiJniug men ut every switch and crossing through
out tire entire route, which Will probably be done.
From Omaha to Sacramento les difficulty Will be
met in planning for it. Frequent changes ofloco-
motives with fresh supplies Of fuel and water will
also be necessary. But this can be arranged 80
n not to cause much delay. The train Will con-
sist OF but one locomotive, tender and passenger
car, with the Nicc-Trcsiden and q few invited
guests.
The object in making this extraordinary e1cur-
sion il 10 demonstrate to Europeans and all CON
ccrnei what speed can be given to the mail
service across the Continent, and that the shortest
route from London to China and Australia will
be over this road. II successfully accomplished,
London IaIers will be delivered IN san Francisco
thirteen or fourteen days Of the date Of
publication. Should tie China steamer leave
Francisco the day that this train arrives,
London IaIcrs may be delivered in Yokohama in
thirty-thrcc days and in IIOngkong forty days
after publication.
When the railroad Is finished, travel will nat
Irlly turn TO it in preference 10 any other route, and
sc shall probably live to see tic day when a trip
rome Via Panama Will be As unusual a. that via
ape Horn now a.. " Steamer day = will then lie
"a event Of the past, and the luxurious cabins
nd statcryoms of the Panama steamers will be rs =
deserted a. are those Of the Cape Horn clippers,
which are tcnan,ei only by an occasional invalid
II tourist seeking hcal,h or pleasure. Times
hansc and we change with them.