The Republican journal., 1869-05-27
ECONOMY AND SAFETY OF THE MARROW
GAUGE RAILROADS.

GAUGE RAILROADS.
Mr.. r. W Elliot, Il well known railroad
man of Canada, is now in Europe for the pur-
pose of examining the different systems, with
view to effecting a change in the width Of
tracks in Canada The Toronto Globe of
May 6th has letter from Mr.. Elliot. dated at
Christiana, Sweden, April 7th, in which he re-
lated his observations in that country. He
SAYS
After settling myself at the Victoria Hotel
| called on c. Phil Esq, Government Engi-
neer to inquire as to the best points at which
to examine the working of the narrow gauge
system Of railwayso Not only was this in
formation afforded withthe greatest readiness.
but he devoted three days to showing and ex-
planning peculiarties Of the system Taking
a carriage, we drove to Drammen-a distance
OF % miles, and there stopped over night :;
the road being through most beautiful coun
try, the views embracing water, cultivated
valley, wood and rocky height, in constantly
changing contour and proportions. Next
morning, q special train conveyed us over
the line from Drammen to Randstjor(-a dis
tance OF 36 miles, stopping at all the points
of interest to examine bridges, viaducts, cut
tings, curves and stations. About one third
of the line is constructed over fairly favor
able country the other two-thrds is a very
difficult piece of work, with extensive BRIDGES.
rock cuttings, clay cuttings, viatlucts, curves,
and gradients. The season at which | saw
the line was one to test its qualities severely,
the frost just leaving the ground and | can
say most emphatically, that, after riding over
the railway systems of thirteen countries since
! leaving Canada, in not one was there less os-
cillation and vibration than in this narrow
line | nnpticnla,lx u,
learn the effect of snow on traffic and saw
myself the remains of very extensive snow
banks; the universal testimony was that the
| locomotives were able to clear the line while
doing their ordinary duty with trains, unless
the snow was over four feet high, and in no
case was communication interrupted for "a
hours.
This class Of line has been continuously in
operation in Norway since 1853 During the
whole Of that period, no accident has occur
red to passenger; and, while it would be
most unfair to leave out the officers in charge
in awarding credit for this magnificent result,
they could not have prevented loss had the
linc been tiimsy and unsafe.
| The narrow gauge lines belong to the Gov
ernment and are not worked primarily for
a dividend. They have, however. ALWAYS
been made to pay all working expenses, re-
newals and Il small interest, from scale OF
fare and treights lower than any other system
in the world. The tirst-class carriages have
all the comfort of the English; but while the
charge in England is about Sd. per mile first
class, in Norway it Is only penny for an
English mile. In England the second-class
fare is 2d per mile-in Norway hali-penny
The best proof of the estimate in which
these lines are held after having been most
fully tested, is to be found in the fact that
I,,1c ,+.,-, l. Al.
Lament to construct $50 miles more as a part
Of the systems now in operation. and that a
company is vigorously at work collecting the
necessary capital to construct 4 line from
Christiana to Drammen.
While | was in Christiana $4,000 was
voted by the city council in aid of the latter
project.
TO give some idea of the projected main
line it may be stated that ii attains an altitude
of 5000 feet above the sea, and will conve,
tourists to attitudes where at certain seasons
the sun may be seen at midnight BY orca
economy and using the rolling stock now ex
lsting, this line is estimated to cost only 81, J.,
900 per mile, and estimates have some yalu,
in Norway.
The Dranmen line, which cost about : =,
100, 900 to build, ran over the estimate 50 ,OOC
only, caused by some extra work being added
There is no doubt felt by the friends Of the
new line rs to the vote being passed by
9 large majority. The opposition however com
plains OF extravaganza, and say that lighto
rails would have answered every purpose.
The condition under which RAILWAYS hay,
to work i'll Canada and Norway are mncl
alike. There is the severe frost and heav7
snow-lall; the sparse population and exten
sive territory; small passenger traffic and tn
bulk of the goods traffic, consisting of orail
and lumber, runs one way, causing larg,
| haulage OF empty carriages There is on,
important difference, however In Norway
: the population is stationary or decreasing
} while in Canada it is advancing very rapidly
At one point Of the line | saw a train o
| thirteen loaded cars drawn up an incline o
: one in sixty; there being 4 sharp curve a
| the same spot.
The points which appeared to me to he cs
pecially worthy OF attention in connection
with the narrow gauge railways, were rs fol
. lows
lst. They nave proved themselves thor
oughly safe and efficient.
2nd. At very low tariffs, and with small
, traffic, they pay.
3rd. The cost of construction and main
, tainance is much less than broad-gauge lines
18th. This low cost is attained not only b,
the smaller amount of work required in con
struction, but by greater hexiblity, so As tc
take advantage OF the ground.
9TH They are specially adapted to coun
tries with small populations and large terri
tory.
The climate Of Sweden with its heavy
snow falls is not much more severe than ours
and the greater facility with which the track
can be cleared is an important consideration
The more the facts are examined the greater
will be the reasons to sustain the change that
has been made in the gauge and location Of
the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Road
The Bangor Whig Of Monday remarks
The last Of the broad gauge railroads in
England are changing to the narrow gauge -
/ DUTIES OF SOLDIERS. \ certain Confed-
crate regiment that served during the war in
the Western Department was commanded
until after the battle of Alurireesboro by a CO.
lionel who was a foreigner by BIRTH but sol
dier by choice and education. Henever learn
ed to use goodEnglish, but he had a short way
of expressing himself in impetuous cxclama-
tons that was quite as effective in conveying.
his conclusions as his practiced sword was in
disabling an adversary This anecdote is
attributed tO him Once whom Gonna ranor.l