The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-27

The Onto and Mississippi Railroad.
The Cincinnati Enquirer Of the 24th gives
the following interesting account Of the op-
Grafton along the line of railroad:
"Mng before Sunday morning 3 sunlight
began to tinge the eastern horizon squads
of men might have been seen gathering In
q continuous line Of three hundred and
forty miles along the route OF the Ohio and
Mississippi railway. An army OF, workers.
two thousand five hundred strong, had
been gathered to perform the gigantic task
of changing the gauge Of this extensive
public thoroughfare. The force in the en-
pIoy of the corporation had been strength
ened by about eight hundred men, and
each man was previously made aware of
his duties and stationed at his post thirty
five brawny, eager toilers were aDportioned
to a distance OF five miles, which constitu-
ted section. Upon seven men the work OF
transforming the gauge of one mile devoly-
ed. And thus with care and eXactness the
plan had been previously formed for the,con-
summation Of a feat unparalleled in the
annals Of engineering in this country. The
hour Of daylight began to approachf for the
consllmmation OF the scheme. With the
first ray of the sun word was flashed along
the line, "Strike the first spike," and SIM
ultaneous action began with the command.
Some of the divisions, emulous to be the
first to complete their allotted task. had, in
the stealth Of the night and early morning,
made steady progress and rejoiced over
their yigilant colaborers. From daylight,
through seven hours of incessant work, the
hum OF the hammer went out with profanc
echo over the still air Of the Sabbath till at
the close of the last second, when the final
rail had been laid and the last spike driven
to its depth in the tough oak. The long
cherished project was reality, and the in
domtahlc energy Of the workmen had
made it so in the almost incredible space of
seven hours time.
TO fully appreciate the extent OF the work
it must be borne in mind that both rails for
distance of $40 miles are to be taken up,
moved seven inches toward the middle of
the track, and then fastened down, making
$50 miles Of rail to be raised and rclaid. In
order to perform this in one day prepara-
tions have been going on for months. Two
lines of inner spikes had been driven.
making the exact position of the new rail.
Precautions had also been taken to facili-
tate further its swift performance by boring
boles also for the reception Of the outer
line Of the huge iron nails. Every possible
preliminary had been performed with O
view to saving Of time for the final effort.
1t was only necessary yesterday to shit the
rails to the required position, already indi.
Gated. and the work Of the hammer sent
home the spike. On many sidiugs and
curves the gauge had been previously com
pleted. -
But at the three shops of the company,
at East st. Louis, Fincennes, and at Coch-
rane, the hum of preparation had long since
sounded. Cars, locomotives, trucks, and
the rolling stock possessed by the corpora
ton, was to be changed and accommodated
to the new regime. In this way twenty
eight locomotives were reduced to the mar
row gauge at a cost of $3, 500 each, fifty
passenger cars, including baggage, mail,
express, parlor, night, and sleeping
coaches, at Il cost of $3.50 each while con-
tracts have been made for $50 freight cars
ami 800 new box cars. Forty new freight
engines have been purchased from the Bal
timore Locomotive Works, and five new
passenger cars of an improved and superb
description. All this has been done with
out any disturbance Of the regular schedule
of trains or the delay of 4 single train.
ct broad gauge stock there remains "a
locomotives and upward of 700 cars vet to
be changed. These were collected in tenn.
Dorary dcpots ut FinccnneS, SEYMOUR,
! Cochrane, and the Gravel Pit. III miles be-
low this city,) where they would not inter-
ierc with the work Of yesterday. They can
! there remain until time is secured to reduce
| them to the requisite grade.
In 1859 the ONO and Mississippi railroad
was opened for public patronage, with it,
spacious coaches, and the travelling public
| soon recognized The advantage OF the cars
| over those of reduced gauges. In this re
spcct it was decided success. But it was
soon aSccrtaincd that these convcnicnces
were secured at the expense OF the cOmpa.
ny's prosperity. The great weight of the
rolling stock rendered frequent repairing
Indispensable, and the wear and tear Incl
dent was immense. All of these facts
pointed very forcibly toward the necessity
of some more economical plan. And al
though the entire expenditure of the pre-
sent change will reach about 81 100000, its
! value a. an investment is already conceded
The prosperity that has attended the his
tory of the road in the past is vouchSated
to it in its new apparel.
Au4 o'clock the first train passed over
the ohio and Mississippi railroad (narrow
gauge, destined for Niucinnes, with q
merry party of invited GUESTS, and some oI
the leading officers on board. The work
was found to have been of the same quality
as the speed. The train averaged twenty
miles III hour during the whole distauct
between this city and the point Of dc>t!na
tion, tnus testing the work and assuring
the public that the opening of the rOa
this morning is not a hazardous proceed.
ing. This morning the trains for st. Louis
aud Louisville will leave at their usua
time. as indicated on the schedule. Thus
was This remarkable scheme consummatcd
rs faithfully executed as 1t was clearly de-
signed. 1t is the neatest job of its kind on
record. ..,