The Portland daily press., 1869-01-01
The Maine Central Extension.

MIR. EDIToR,-In my last communication,
referred to the locating of the Maine Contra
road from Danvile to your city; suggesting
that it would be to the advantage of both the
road and the city to build it from Gray
through windham, along the valleys OF Pleas
ant and Presumpscot rivers as far as to Sacca
rect route. | endeavored to show that, if the
road should be bull. from Gray to the city
along the proposed route already surveyed
east Of Blackstrap, it would, for the entire dis
tance-some fifteen miles pass through sec
ton of country from which it could never re-
COVE any business; since the towns along that
route are already accommodated by the Grand
Trunk and the Portland & Kennebec roads,
the latter of which the Maine Central propos.
es to intersect at a distance of some seven
miles from the city; aud that these towns
would not be likely to aid materially in build
ing third road, which can be of no substantial
benefit to them. On the other hand, it would
seem to be of the utmost importance to Wind
ham and Gorham that the valuable water
power within their limits should not longer be
idle for the want of needed facilities for trans
portation; SO that those towns can afford to
contribute largely to building the road by the
route have proposed. Again, while the road
from Gray through Cumberland and Fall
mouth can never have any appreciate amount
of business, | will venture to say that by the
other route, the section from Gray to Sacca-
Kappa will pay as well as any other section, of
equal event. anywhere along the line of the
road. .
Another advantage which the route l have
proposed offers, is this-that the road will then
approach euc city noll tile rlSuJ q,.se.
one can for an instant doubt that all the rail-
roads leading to Portland should have access
to the wharves. For a long time to come their
business must be the transportation of heavy
freight, rather than the carrying of passengers
The rebuilding of the Portland and Kennebee
Road from Woodforfd's Corner around the
bluff at the west end of the city, affords a les
son whose teaching should not be UNDECIDED
Now it will occur to any one at all familiar
with the topography of the country between
the city and Saccarrappa, that a road of easy
grade can be constructed between these two
points, as direct at least as the Portland and
Rochester,-less expensive for right Of way,
and which will require not more than one
half the number of highway crossings now
made by the way of Woodford's and MorrilPs
Corner. The last is an important considera-
ton, and an object to be sought wherever prac-
ticable. L will meptlon but one route, of sew
eral which occur to me. The Capisslc brook
has its sources near the railroad, some distance
above Morrill's Corner, and finds its way to
current, and no considerable fall. The valley
of this stream might be followed, if better
route should not be found farther to the west.
ward.
But, since writing before, the action of
Bridgton and other towns between that and
the city, in loaning their credit, and by private
subscriptions to the Ogdensburg road, rem
ders it altogether likely that that road will be
located along the Presumpscot,R River from Sac
carrappa to Sebago Pond; thence by The east
shore of the pond, to Bridgton. Now, in case
such location is made, cannot that road and
the Maine Central purchase the right of way
together, and grade the road bed for their sep
arate tracks i'll company as far as to Little
Falls at least, to their mutual advantage?
They would, by this course, save large part
Of the expense for land, grading, bridges and
fences; and avoid multiplying highway cross
ings. This is a scheme of railway economy
which has been little considered. But, sup
posing the Ogdensburg Road is built west of
SebagO Pond, then let us see what advantage
the Maine Central will enjoy by choosing the
ton and the adjoining towns will be without
railroad facilities. The business of that sec
ton is large, and such as requires more init
mate connection with the city. The Maine
Central, running within three miles of Seba-
go Pond, could, by building a branch to its
shore, secure most of that business to itself.
This pond, with those lying to the north of it,
opens water communication to North Bridg
ton, some thirty miles. For this whole dis
lance there is but one lock, which has been
enlarged, I think, so that these waters will ac-
commodate boats much larger, and better
suited to transportation than any that have
hitherto been used for them. These lakes are
free from ice about seven months in the year,
and would have proved valuable channel of
intercourse to the towns bordering upon them,
had it not been for the wretched apology for a
canal which has united them with your har-
bor To show what interest Portland has in
building a road as far as to the pond, at least,
[ will only add that had it been b1ilt one
year ago, wood, which you how pay twelve
dollars for upon your wharves, would have
been abundant there to-day at eight dollars
per cord. I.B.C