The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-04
NARRoW.GAUGN NAILKOAp,

-NARR0W-GAUGE RAlLR0AD, Z.
We print below an article ff FIR tic
Raiired,l Record, giving souc i'xi'ps Of
interest concerning the NarrekSpge
Railxaysy These roads are now attract.
ing great attention in this coss!ry, and
from their success in England doubtless
are entitled to all the merit that is claimed
for them. We desire to stimulate further,
inquiry in.regardrtoih ea,in the hope that
a means will be thus presented by which
we can obtain railroad omndGcation anu
connection A road of this kind, it seems
to us, could be oheaply and speedily con-
strnettd to C!arksburg. and With rs con.
struction we would haze apsaed u high
way to prosperity and wealth.. Ehf
rapid gros,h Of our town necessarily fol-
lowing, and the increased value IF prop
erty both in town and county, would
amply repay those who might choose to
-inYestsin this enterprise, without c0ISid
criug the fac, that the stock could not be
otherwise than, paying,
If we in this town ever expect better
tunes or future Developments, it is time
that We awake from our Rip Van Wink
lish slumbcrs and cultivate u Healthier
degree Of public spirit, We who do net
help ourselves cahuot expect help from
others and until We pu,, our oTu sh0ul;
der to the wheel we cannot expee. TO ro!
of the incubus so long depressing the en-
crgies of our people, We mention this
subject with the hope thai some action
may be taken 1t can do no harm and
may prove to be Of incaculable benefit:
"We give below few facts concerning
new. gauge railways, that may be oil val
NC to rarties IN the State who are cousd-
ering the proprie'y Demonstrating such
works. We have given this matter a
grca, deal Of examination, and believe that
whoever will Go SO must reach the conclu-
sions We have. viz: that these are the
coming railways for the local traffic Of
! ] :.
America. There are several Of these uar-
row roads now contemplated in the United
States; two that We, know Of in Ohio.
We hope they will go on and prove, as
they arc sure to do, tia. all VIC have pre-
dictcd for them is true. ,..lsa.a4 g
Railways of the remarkably narrow
! gauge of three feet six inches are becom-
ing quite pOpa1arin Canada. and several
short lines are being builtin the Rrnvincc
Of Ontario. One Of the recommendations
claimed for this narrow gauge is,.ithat
very mnch sharper and more frequent
curves are permissible without danger to
the train or loss of tractive power ~ tile
engine. This makes it especially adapted
to billy country. There is also an i'm
mense economy in the orig fnaf construction
ofihe road, as wellas 10 the lighter IN :
gines aud ears. The following 10 a com
parative statement Of the cost Of one Of the
gauge roads and road Of the or
dinsry 1--WE feet six-inch euago :..1sir
ORDINARY RAILWAY oY FIVE FEET AND SIX
INCHES. r,....,r.sl
I 100 tuns rails at $50 per tna So oON
ish.plates. bolts aud spikes 800
SIeeprrs, >. 263 100
Ballast. 5000 cubic pards l,2G0
Track .layiug az -.,. 400
Totol !taI Il a SS,1oo
MARROW GAUGE LINE OF THREE rErT AM
i a. SIX JlNcnRs. "'5
60 tups rails at $50 per tun $4,000
plates, bolts and spikes 400
I'Sleepcrs, 2.263 fy 500
Ballast, $3.50 cubis yards 800
Track=lnying 800
Total s5,1oe
| The first orc Of these narrow.gause
roads in the United States is abou, to be
bull. from Buffalo to Springville. \
party Of Buffalo capitalists have recently
been to Canada to-make inquiries in re;
gard TO the new style of railroad, and
have come back SO well pleased thai they
have decided TO build the line above. men
toned.
UNITED STATES SENATOR.
CHENILLE, December %. 1870
To The Editr Of Tie Democrat.
In the last few weeks have spent some
tame in the counties of jackson, Roane
and Calhoun, and haze met and con-
versed with MANY of the most nrop,;nent