New-York tribune., 1871-07-27
HOW TIE GREAT RAILROAD FEAT WAS ACCOM-


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The work of changing the gauge OF the ONO
Msssspp Railroad from six feet four feet eight
inches and a half commenced and finished yester-
day morning. Long before the 1rst streak OF dawn ap
peared in the sky in motion conveying men 10
their work on tue road ana as soon as as 'e me- morning s'
rendered objects visible the great work was couece
In each gang Of wOrkmcn, six went ahead OF the party
drawing the old spikes on the inside OF the rails rms
done by claw-0ars curved at the "ciaWed end 10
give leverage by which the spikes were prled ot ana th
rails oosened SIX men followed WIN cIU"oals @ i ad
handspkes with which they threw in the rails seven ana
half inches each side, TO line OF spikes which had
been previously driven into the he ana served not only
asen the inside edge of the rails but also TO marx
the gauge OF the track. The rest OF the gang num-
berng between 25 and 80 men, came next ana fastened
down the rails IN thernew position with SPIKES driven
the outside rim OF the rails. To expedite the work,
only three spikes thus driven for each raone at
each end ana one at the middle inns was al te sen, en-
ing necessary admit of the safe passage OF trains tl
the whole OF the spikes can be driven.
At 800 a. m special train, with Messrs. j. J.. Grls
void, General Superintendent; Isaac a. smith, As
sstant Chief Engineer W W. Jones, superintendent OF
the road c. w. Temple, Superintendent of Teegraphs;
II D. Hannibal Road-Master Mr. Ewing General Pur
chasing Agent; J. l.. McCullqm, Line Reparer; Mr. o.
of the city press St. Louis to test the marrow
g%n9e GK p 10 the time Of starting was nearly
Completed, even at that early hour The train con
Which had been reduced to the new gauge passenger
car and palace drawingrOOm In front of the en-
where Mr. Grswold and his fellOwpassengers sat the
greater part of the time during the trip. The position
Sy fhe motion Of the train it afforded excellent
opportunity TO inspect the work as the train approached
For the first two miles there three rails laid that
having been placed there some time since to FUR
nish track for the narrow gauge rolling stock used in
filling up ground at the new passenger depot AFTER
narrow gauge track all the rest OF the way and row of
old spikes running parallel with the rails on the outside
edges OF them marked where the rails had been. The
track remarkably smoth and eyen and as the tT9n
passed over 1t express speed or es "aou % %
Jar it difficult 10 believe that the Ials had oee
placed in position hut few honfs DtlOie au la 80
much work could have been so thoroughly accomplished
i'm such short space of time.
Al each station as the train drew up, crowd Of peo-
pie greeted ts arrival with repeated cheers ana az one
place enthusiastic youth waved l.atVndl Idk III
commemoatOn Of the successful event Az each tele-
graph station the way, dispatches received showing
Thai the work rapidly approaching cOmpeuOn ana,
when the train reached sandoyal, at 1880, telegram
received intimatng that the change Oh gauge Was
completed throughout the entfe ieDgth 9I the uhe,
distance of $40 miles. Mr. GriswOd and Mr.. smith, TO
whose ability and untirng energy the success OF this
great undertaking principally due received the con
grauatiOns Of friends on the receipt Oi the happy IL
dings At Odin 65 miles from St Louis special train
in waiting 10 convey portion OF the party BACK TO
the city, During the short delay at Odn those who dd
not 90 on with MI ClSWOlu 10 Nlncehhes ntu an oppV
tunity TO examine the system adopted III changing the
Tic outside rails Of the curve were allowed in such
places to remain IN che old position and new Ias were
laid for the gauge This was neces-taed by the
lesser To suit the old outer rail for the new posi-
tOn it would have been necessary 10 unryet the fish
plates cut little of the ends Of each rail- and then
avoid the loss Of time which such operation would
have entailed, new rails were laid as stated With the
inner rail- however, IL was different, and II was thrown
into me new pOslIOn the same as stfalgnt fali no
trouble OccasiOned by the tshpates. They yielded
bulCleHtly 10 prevent track from DCluR
move while they held the rails firmly together some
slight difficulty however, experienced with the old
chairs and more time employed In moving the track
In couple of sections where they were than any other
part OF the line.
The first section in which the change of gauge was
completed a 60mile section between Nincennes and
Clay CITY, The last spike in this section driven at
$50 a. The best time was made between East st.
Louis and Caseyye, the straight stretch Of six and
tbreequarter miles across the bottom. The change III
this section was completed in four hours
On the whole line there force of 2720 men en-
pOyed OF these $50 from other roads ccntering at
St. Louis, and 50 from Springfield and the southern
part Of Illinois. Each received rs cents for each
hour he worked the road. The actual work OF
changing the gauge, without including reduction OF
rolling stock to suit it purchases Of gauge
stock, amounts TO about $4,000.