Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-10-07

paucity OF our population and the extern
to meet the means of our people and to
lessen tne running expenses of the roads.
Many sections of our country, especially
in the South, are deprived of the advan-
tages of a market, and their resources are
yet undeveloped because from the sparcity
of the inhabitants, whatever may be their
means, it is not possible to construct the
wide gauge, costly railroads, and even if
the money could be raised, the travel and
freight, for several years. would not pay
the operating expenses. Therefore land
owners and capitalists very properly refuse
to invest their means in works which must
necessarily ihjure them, whatever benefit
they may be to future generations.
If, however, railroads can be built with
sufficient capacity to suit the wants of our
country, with little moro expense than
McAdamized and plank roads, and can be
operated at cost which the business of
the country will justify, we may look for
tho time when every entcrprising COM
munity will be provided with railroad
facilities.
We know that our people have a reluc-
lance to indulge in what they may regard
as experiments, when the safety of their
lives and the value of their investments
are in issue. This is both natural and
proper. But the narrow gauge railroads
are no longer experiments. They are in
successful operation in England, Wales,
Belgium, Sweden, Norway and India, tho
gauge being from two to four feet. A
three.foot gauge railroad in India, built
by English engineers, is pronounced to be
equal to trade which includes such bulky
freights as cotton and rice, and scientific
railroad men claim that it's capacity is suf-
ficient to manage the heaviest traffic and
travel in the world
But suppose these accounts are exsg-
oerated, it is at least certain that railways
Of two and three feet gauge, with light
carriages, light iron. and run at small ex-
pense, are in safe and successful operation,
and are endors d by the most scientific
engineers in the world. Even in noun
famous countries, where the grades are
necessarily heavy, and the curves short
and frequent, these roads are used with
perfect safety, great economy and hIGh
rate of speed.
It thus becomes q practical question,
and worthy of the consideration Of our
people. The South has comparatively
few railroads, and but few of those pay
their operating expenses. Some of them
have utterly failed, and others yet are al
most useless from their poverty and bad
There must be some reforma-
ton or many portions of our section must
forever remain undeveloped and almost
We believe we see in the
Of these narrow gauge rail
roads new era for the South. With in
creased facilities for travel and transpor-
tation the value of our lands must be great,
" enhanced, and the increase of our popu
uation will be rapid.
There is certainly no use for those who
desire to build one OF these narrow gauge
railroads to stumble blindly into their
construction. At small cost any of our
civil engineers could become familiar with
them by personal inspection, before the
work was begun here. and we are sure that
the prejudices of our people would wear
away in the face of the experience Of other
countries ard their successful operation
here. People who would refuse to build
q cheap railroad because they prefer cost
Iy one, which they cannot build, would be
as silly as those who are moro able who
would refuse to have q single track rail
road because they wanted double track,
which they were not able to CONSTRUCT
The means and wants of country must
be consulted in these matters, and if this
be done, then not only will roads he
completed, but their workings will be re-
munerative.
In speaking Of these narrow gauge rail
roads, the Richmond Dispatch says that
the cheapness with which the marrow track
can DO built anu run will no doubt make
il q great economy IL the purposes of travel
and transportation. The uses Of draught
animals will be conf1od almost entirely
to the farms, and the heavy expenditures
for improving turnpikcs will be avoided.
Every neighborhood will have its lateral
narrow track, and will be able to forward
its produce promptly, while its teams may
be kept at work upon the crops, seeding
and filling and gathering. This will save
both money and time to the farmer, and
increase the stoadiuess and success of his
effective force.
The power of the locomotive upon the
narrow gauge is astonishing, and trains on
such track can ascend grades that would
be impracticable upon the wide-gauge rail
ways. It is estimated that five thousand
dollars mile will complete and equip Q
narrow track-while it takes three thou
sand dollars per mile to build McAdam
road. When we take into consideration
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