Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1871-08-10
RAILROADS.


THE NEW ROUTE FROM PHILADELPHIA TO CHESTER
The Phladelpbia Ledger gives the following
report Of the progress of work on the now rout,
between Philadelphia and Chester:
The work upon the new railroad Of tho Phila
delphia. Wilmington 4 Baltimore r. r. Co., be.
tween Gray's Ferry and Chester, is progressing
very rapidly, large number Of men being en-.
ploved on the entire route. The new road. AZ il
well known, will run through the high ground,
from half to two miles further back from the
Delaware river than the one now In use. thus
avoiding the meadows and all danger Of over
flows by the breaking OF the river banks. It
may not be generally known that the original
charter OF the company required the road to
pass through the Townships Of Darby and
Chester, and tho first line run was nearly over
the route selected for the present improvement.
Property owners along the route at that time,
tearing that damage would be done to their
property, exerted their influence and had the
road changed to its present location.
Previous to the commencement of the i'm
provement, the Board Of Surveyors Of Philsdel-
phis were consulted ~ to the proper grades
necessary, and it was determined by that body to
!. iise the street grades, and then the company
lowered theirs 30 that all streets, numbering TWEEN
ty-seven within the city limits, cross above or
under the railroad. This is not only the case in
the city, but all roads on the whole route were
thus arranged. This plan has necessitAted heavy
cuttings. from ten to forty feet along nearly the
entire road particularly in Sections 2 and (which
pass through Blue Bell and Darby. Here the
work is 10 heavy that Messrs. John Riley, of
Easton. John McGovern, of Lancaster, and Col.
John Clark, Of this city, contractors, have intro
duced novelty in this part Of the country to aid
in the work. This novelty consists OF steam
excavating machine Of about thirty horse power,
which the Superintendent G. H. Curtis, states
viii do the work Of one hundred men. The ma
chine in its construction ia similar to those used
in dredging docks, only more compact, aud hav-
ing the power to move itself as the work pro-
crosses. Tho long arm, 80 prominent ou dredg-
ors, il on this machine supplied with bucket or
scoop. to which sharp flat pieces Of iron are at
opening way for the bucket. The arm is Of
sufficient length to sweep y distance OF twenty
feot on each side Of the machine, making the cut
forty feet wide, and any depth that may be do
sired. 1t works with such rapidity that one and
half yards Of earth are dug and loaded into the
cars every minute.
Before the work could be commenced in this
locality seventeen houses, principally Of brick
had to be removed from the line Of tho road
nearly all OF them were occupied at the time Of
the removal, but no accident happened to per-
son or property. The new road will cross the
various streams 80 far frsm the Delaware that
no drawbridge will be needed, aud but few Of any
span will be required. The one
over Darby Creek will be the largest, the span
being 150 feet, and forty-fve feet above the wa
I0As ~ Will W VI IFOIl, anu cOubtTuctou III tNe
most substantial manner.
There will also be bridges Of from 20 to 40 feet
span, of iron or stone. over the Muskinpattus,
stone, Little Crum and Crum Creeks. All the
cuttings are being made wide enough to allow Of
four tracks, but the grading at present vii! be
only for two. The grades at no point are over
% feet, and there are no curves over one degree
except where the connection il made with the
Did road. One OF the tracks will be laid with
English solid steel rails, and the others OF Amer
can steel rails, on oak ties, with screw spikes
and ballAsted with stone. There will be stations
'very half mile within the city limits, and every
nile after leaving the city, until Chester is
cached. The station houses as far AZ practica-
DE, will be built over the tracks, and tickets will
70 collected from those going to or from Ohes- |
81, before they enter the cars. The road will be
line and half miles long, just . half mile |
horter than the old one. 1t is estimated the |
thief Engineer, Mr.. s. Il. Fuller that the entire |
os. Of the Improvement will he abuu; ,e00. .00O
The country through which the road pas .es, il |
lighly cultivated, and there are quite number
II country residences most of them belonging
o gentlemen in this city, within sight Already |
he Sharon, Ridley. and other associations have |
'een formed to stimulate improvements in this |
ection, and build up villas and villages where |
'nly pasture fields are now to be found