The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-15

the narrow gauge railroad will do as much for
the South as Whltneys cotton gin has DONE"
: When we referred to this subjectsbefore,
sone weeks since, we spoke OF the new Den
YER Railroad as to be built on the narrow
gauge basis. Since then the movement
seems to be sweeping over the whole Repub-
lie like wildfre, and the lines projected are
numerous in oil directions. The object in
view, to save cost of construction and the
dead weight of a train, has never before
been 80 well served as by the narrow gauge.
As yet the gauges areof all sorts, but the
most numerous array have gauge OF three
feet. These lines can, OF course, only be
local in their character, as all the main roads
are OF broader gauge; and this will neces-.
state change Of bulk. Trans.shipments
are counted by railroad men among the most
serious and expensive Obstacles to business,
and are avoided wherever they can be- This
trouble may be avoided by constructing Car
bodies capable Of transfer bodily to the
trucks ae broader gauges from the mar
row gauge. Even this, however, involves
labor and expense, 30 that except in isolated
mountain districts it may be better to ad-
here to the four feet eight and half inch
gauge, for all except rural or local lines.
The reaction from the great broad gauges
advocated by Brunei seems now to be ex-
treme. He tried on one main line OF Eng
lish railway a gauge Of seven feet, which has
since been reduced. His chief idea, how
ever, was the six feet gauge, which has been
so much used in America, and has proved
extravagant and wasteful on all lines where
it exists. The Southern State railways all
have gauge OF at least five feet, and some
as broad as five feet seven inches.
One thing may be said Of the new narrow
gauge roads, that as they will cost so much
less TO construct and to run and to maintain
than other lines, they are more likely to yield
a dividend to the stockholders. That is the
experience in England; and as the earning
OF dividends is q primary matter, the narrow
gauge may be said to be complete success.
1t requires lighter rail and lighter rolling
stock. costs less for fuel and for wear and
tear than any other gauge. For local coun-
try roads this discovery is Of so much real
interest and value that it seems likely to
abolish oil stage lines, and substitute cheap
narrow gauge railways. For it will be OBJ
served that these lines have been successfully
run with gauge OF only two feet and have
paid handsomely. 1t may yet become
grave question whether the substitution OF
small and cheap railways for the ordinary
public conveyance in populous localities
where no railroads now exist would not be
a decided economy. In point OF fact this
would be carrying into the rural districts the
principle Of the city passenger railway, which
has well nigh superseded all other modes OF
transit in the CITY, In the rural districts the
lines carry goods as well as passengers, and
90 by steam because there are not the obsto-
cles there that we have In the city. II the
narrow gauge railroad can be adapted to the
ordinary purposes Of local country life it
will be invaluable, and will in the end abb
sorb everything in the shape Of local trade
or travel.