The New York herald., 1871-02-23
RAPID TR A N SIT.
Engineering Skill still Exercised on
the Subject.
The Plan of an atmospheric
Elevated Railway"

the ordinary uses OF the street. The bases OF these
arches will be strongly anchored beneath the curb
stones In blocks OF granite. The gaslghts Will be
supported on the ornamental columns, which take
the place Of the lampposts, and the telegraph wires
Will be carried on the arohes that the streets may
be relieved OF much which now encumbers them.
The arches are strongly connected with each other
by means OF a vertical, lattlced or trussed grder
running between the tubular ways, which are to be
firmly joined to either side by ties Of suitable
construction. Through the tubes, supported as de-
scrlbed, cars carrying passengers are to be pro-
PEELED by atmospheric power. There is also provision
III the same set OF arches for two or more sets OF
tubes for the transportation OF mails and packages.
The Office OF these compound wrought-lrOn arches
is to support series OF longitudinal tubes, TO be
constructed OF wood or other suitable material,
over the middle Of the street, In such way as not
to interfere with the ordinary uses Of the street or
with the light OF the buildings along the line OF the
road. BY this systcn there WIN be no disturbance
or interference with the water sewerage or gas
pipes Of the city Will travel be 0bstructed while
tile road is being built, which be all done out
side the city, and be ready TO put up In a years
time from the commencement.
The stations Will be situated AT distances OF ABOUT
one mile apart along the line, and VIII be provided
with pneumatic elevators TO raise passengers and
from the place of transit with perfect safety, thus
obviatng the necessity OF going up ana down stairs
for transit.
The movement of the cars or trains along the line,
as well as their arrival ami departure from stations
Is mace Known ut all points Ivy the telegraphc de-
vice which AUTOMATICALLY operated by the cals in
passing. so that they at all times under control,
thereby securing absolute safety to passengers ana
property.
TO the motive power, be located reservoirs contain
Ing compressed ar, To be used when additional
power Is necessary for starting CO stopping heavy
trains. by means OF connecting pipes these reser-
Voirs will communicate with each other, so that the
power stored mp therein when taken from one may
be almost instantly supplied by another Thus
power may be stored by engines when not other
wise engaged, and transmitted long distances,
rendering II not oaly possible but economical.
TO make use or the waste power OF manufactures,
or wafer power located long distances away or
beyond the city limits. Ii is to the power
more than four miles "a thing impossible TO do with
steaml tnat we owe the completion OF one OF the
grandest works OF medern cngineering-the Mont
Gents tunnel Deep in the recesses OF the eternal
Alps air furnished the engines with the power
tation and life TO the toiiers who, day and night
through long years, worked their way through, miles
beneath their snow-capped summit.
With this outline OF plan proposed my argument
for its adoption, In briel, is this
The question OF and tor the hour Is rapid transit
not for five years hence or the next generation,
but this generation. The demand comes from all
classes, irrespective or party. It concerns the
whole city. Especially does the demand come from
the laboring classes, those whose humble means
compel them to live long distances from their work
or accept the fearful alternative OF living in crowded
tenement houses, the victims OF disease and DEATH
Traffic ana commerce demand 1t. The welfare and
prosperity of the city demand IL. 1t Is evident that
some objection wlil be urged against any plan
which can he devised.
The question. then. Is how can the object desired
nest be accomplished with the least detrlment 10
the rights of property owners along the route pro-
posedr What plan can oe constructed and operated
which win reduce the damages TO such an amount,
should It appear that any are sustained that ample
anu just compensation may pe rendered therefor 2
What plan Will meet the demand in the least time,
and interfere least with existing means OF transit
After some years careful study or the subject nd
examination OF various plans united with some
practical railroad experience, ! believe the TN
proved atmospheric elevated railway more COM
pletely than any other plan embodles the most pro-
the day. and. therefore, Is thai best cacula ted to
meet the demand. aud is that against which least
objection can be urged, for reasons l will briefly
enumerate:--
Fbst--Doublc the speed and OF any other
plan can be obtained by this system of transporta-
tion. Time Is money! in New York. If anywhere,
and people VIII travel by that Line which vii! save
most OF it,
Second-WhIie it gives double the speed OF anv
steam road 1t secures absolute safety TO passengers
The motor being air. there Is no irecarrying engine
to explode, TO burn or destroy either passengers
property along the line. No Collisions can occur,
and Ii is impossible for the cars TO get Off the track.
in no way can passengers, should any accident
occur, be precpitated TO the streets beneath, as
would be the case Ill any other plan, endanger!ng
the lives OF all.
9hiYd-Ths railway being a covered way cannot
be oDstrcted by snow or lee or 10y tue action OF the
elements nor by the ordinary causes OF obstruction
in street travel, which this railway does not in any
way cndanger or interrupt.
Lourth-Capital can be raised to build this rail-
way, and 1t can be completed IN one years time
from its commencement. it Will relieve the streets
of large number OF days for furnishing transit or
freight thus rendering locomotion, which az times
Is almost impossible, less dangerous on the street
and at crossings.
Fityh--As the time required for transit is less than
by any other plan, " accordingly mas capacity for
transporting q greater number OF passengers, il
frequently.
MGth--It Is Impossible ior cars running In this
railway To frighen orses either uy signt or sound
"a danger inseparable from other systems. and winch
must frequently cndanger botn lite and limb
Sere7sut-rhc atmospheric railway possesses ad-
yantages over any other in sanitary point or view.
In II the air viii be cool IN summer and free rom
dust, smoke or cinders. The current OF air con-
stantly passing through the tubular way is taken
from sources where u can lie obtained perfectly
pure secures the most agreeable and heaJh-glving
ventilation, together with comfort ana luxury
heretofore unknown III travel.
Lighth-Fr0m the fact that no locomotives are re-
qured in Inc atmospheric railway the cars can be
reduced the minimum weight necessary 10 convey
the pa ssengcrs and the danger OF the supcrstruc-
tire giving away as almost entirely removed. As d
consequence the necessity for repairs constantly rem
dered necessary where neavy motor runs over the
track seldom occurs 10 interrupt or endanger
travel, and, rs . result o this more economical ope-
ration cheaper rate ol fare can be Afforded tlan
by any steam road.
Ntnth-In the .'improyed atmospheric elevated
railway, grades equal TO 500 feet per mile can be
readily surmounted--a result lmpracticaole with a
locomotive Or heavy motor This railway can,
therefore. be adapted TO the varying grades OF the
city and be successfully operated. H. VIII be orna-
mental to The streets along which it passes,
ana by furnishing safe ana rapid transit
without hiHdrance or annoyance 10 street cars or
other OF transit. viii build up business along
the line. and, therefore, will be welcomed as u
benefit by all who will appreciate the great value OF
having residence or place OF business located on
thorOughiorc possessing such advantages
In conclusion, will state tiat the plan IN a liz
details has been carefully examined ny number OF
engineers who endorse it and pronounce II feasible.
One OF the number, Mir. NJ. o. Davidson, c. H., OF
acknowledged apillty aud extended practical expo
rience, visited England and fully investigated The
pneumatic system IN successful operation there.
Since that tune great improvements have bcea
made IN various directions III the motive power, and
especially essenng the cost Of construction, aad
these nave been embodied liz the plan now respect
fully submitted for yoar consideration. Very re-
spectiully H. IL. 1iLbEaA.
Dayjd>on,s Pian-rae ss,Icfropoiitau safety
Railway"
NEW YORK. Feb. "a, 1871.
10 the EDITOR or THE iIERALD:-
read with much interest in your edition or to-day