The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-02-07
DAILY PRESS.
ND.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1871.
Report of The Rail- 0ai Cemln issioner-

lhe annual lepoft of the Railroad Commits
slohers gives thorough review of the condi
ton OF the railroads of the State. II presents
4 s'"'e o' tllhgs m relation 10 the important
interest with whicd it deals which is encour
aging and generally gratifying. We notice
briefly some Of the principal facts.
The Androscogein Railroad has been ev.
tended within the year across Sandy river 10
Pennington, where a passenger depot and
freight house have been built. The road has
had 12J tons o. new rails and 20OOO new
sleepers. The work of rebuilding the abut-
ments of bridges OF stone iustead of wood
will begin this season. The Commissioners
saw a new station should he built at Leeds
junction. The business and credit of the
road are steadily growing under able manage.
ment.
The Portland Saco and Portsmouth Rail-
road has had but little done to it the past
year,but is in first class condition. 1t is one of
the most successful roads in Maue The COM
mlssloners suggest that the increasing busi-
ness pressing toward Boston from this State
may sotn require further facilitie The Bos-
ton and Maine has been kept up to its usual
high standard.
The Portland and Ogdeusburg Railroad is
now opened TO West Baldwin-33 miles and
graded to Fryeburg, 50 miles. 1t is substan-
tial structure. The business is already con
siderable and increasing, The commissioner
think it must command in future very great
business,and when completed and connected
with other roads as designed Will make Port.
land the nearest ocean depot for the West,
Its management is mentioned in the high
est terms.
The Portland and Oxford Central Railroad
has been extended from Hartford to Canton
Village-5 miles-the past year. Wood is to
give place here to stone in the abutments of
tue bridges. The track is good but the roll.
ing stock not what it should be.
The Bangor and Piscataquis Railroad has
been greatly improved the past season. and is
now in fair condition, with business increasing.
The construction of the road has been instr1.
mental in starting number of manufastur-
ing and other enterprises and opening new
slate quarries The company propose to ask
the Legislature for renewal OF the charter
to MoOsehead Lake, and the right OF exten
sion to the western boundary OF the State
The Portland and Rochester railroad is
now opened to Springvale, distance OF SO
miles by rail from Portland. The masonry on
this road is spoken of as excellent, and the
ditching superior. The road will be opened
to Rochester early in July of This year, when
its friends anticipate large increase of its
local business and an early though connection
by.way OF Nashua and Concord with the South
and West.
The Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad
extends from Belfast to Burnham, 80 miles,
where it connects with the Maine Central.
1t is in The main well made, but some of the
ties are inferior and the ditching is not COM
plete. In noticing this road the Commission
ers find it appropriate to suggest, as they did
in previous report, that there ought to be
State policy and power somewhere to locate
roads where public necessity and convenience
require, and not allow the location to depend
upon rival interests and communities to the
prejudice of the public good. They speak of
the difficulty which this road has in relation
to its lease to the Maine Central, and their de-
cison in the case, but hope that some arrange
ment will be made which will be honorable
and satisfactory to both parties.
The Atlantic. and st. Lawrence Railroad, or
as it is generally called, tie "Grand Trunk"
has been improved the past season by re-
newals and repairs, to a large extent. The
road everywhere needs more gravel. Tue
bridges upon this road are of the most sub.
stantial character. Considerable outley has
been made at Portland for the renewal OF the
Boston wharf and shed, the erection OF car
shops, and structures for water supply. The
trains upon this road are heavier than those
upon any other in the State, and the wear is
large and constant. In 1862 its gross receipts
were S735, ,403 and in 1869 they we're 81 ,055.-
S55. Its large and increasing business de-
mands the greatest care to keep the road IN
ordlFsr: lFT. r,,,o,aaa ona No,,l, .,,o.,ao IN
way is completed as first class road TO Nat
tawamkeag, So miles; only So miles remain
TO complete it to the border and this is all
under contract, and much Of it graded, and
will be completed lIeXt summer This road
is important as link in the extention OF rail.
way communication from Halifax TO San
Francisco. 1t will make line OF railway
across our State, when completed of 3O6 miles
and its occasi0ning developments and invest
ments all along its line. The road is ably
managed and promises well.
The Maine Central and Portland and Ken
nebec have been consolidated within the year.
The Maine Central is now being extended
from Danville junction to Cumberland, aud
its gauge the entire length of the whole road
will be made to CONFORM to that OF the Port
land and Kennebec The Commissioners
speak of the new arrangement with approba-
ton. There will be no changing Of cars nec-
essary after leaving Bangor until arriving at
Portland, no trlnshipment at Portland neces-
sary, no embargo OF gauges, but unobstructed
and quick communication, and cheaper,
quicker and easier means OF conveyance TO
market The Maine Central was wise, say
the Commissioners, "to barmonize its inter-
esis with the Portland and Kennebec, for it
thereby reaches Portland through it by ei2h-
teen miles of new road instead OF thirty and
saves half million of dollars CT more in the
not being obliged to purchase depot grounds
and buildings at Portland" The new man
agement is adding to its trains to accommo.
date the public, and adopted the liberal policy
Of uniform rates OF fare for wiuter and sum
mer. The Commissioners have no fears of
bad results from consolidation Of the two
roads. but think the State may well expect
from it "that fair and enlightened policy that
best consults its own good in most promoting
| the good of Others" The Maine Central pa
| per has been much improved this season and
| so has the Portland and Kennebec. The lat
ter company they say is entitled to great cred-
it for ike new iron bridge at Augusta, aud Mr.
I Patten of the Directors is commended for his
business capacity in making The contract and
overseeing the work OF erection. A ful de-
scription OF the bridge is given. Its entire
cost is not far from Sll0,O00 The associated
company embraces the best railroad expert
eilce in the State.
The Dexter and Newport Railroad has mar
iowed its gauge to correspond to that of the
Maine Central. The opening of the Houlton
| branch of the st. AndreHs Railroad, which
| has been opeccd this season from Sebec to
! lIouton, is considered 10 be q more in the
wrong direction. The Somerset road has had
some S335,000 expended upon it, and the
Work will be vigorously prosecuted next year.
| The Knox and Lincoln Railroad has required
| greater outlay than was at first anticipated,
| but is near completion, and will be OF the best
| character 1t is tlionght trains may run TO
Wiscasset this winter, and the whole road
be opened in the early sGmper, 1t will cost
more per mile than any other road in Maine !;
but the road will be built, and will have
great business.
The report gives a history of the accidents
which have taken place upon the roads in the
State during the year. No life of passenger
has been lost. The fatal accidents haye been
to employees. The necessity of care and Wig
ilanee in the officers is enforced, and the re
sponsibity of making judieious selections O
officers aud pei sons 10 manage trains is urged
The Superintendent should devote himsel
entirely to his business, and his subordln
ates should be che sen on account of their fit
| ness and not for fayoritism. The following
| shows the IA lroads in the State:
MILys OF RAILWAY IN NAME.
Portland, Sac, and Portsmouth. .......'' o. m'e''
Great Fails 81 Conway. ............'..'''' n .
Boston IL NJ inc. ~ :.
Portland 81 Ro, beser. ,oS
Portland & Kennebec. ............. '''''-''"o =,
Bath branch Of Portland q kennebec..... ..
\ ADdrosecggin. Gi4
| Lewiston brabch Of AndroScoeg1n. ......,.. Z
! Calais Barring a. Lewy's Island. ........ % q.
Belfast & MO0sebsad Lake. ............ ~ 4.