Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-11-08
The RirhI Railway.

This mountain though by no means
among the highest Of Switzerland 5000
ft..) is one much ascended, because of
the magnificent view which it affords of
lakes of Zug, Lncerne, and ten or twelve
more, and the Bernse Alps. 1t is par
ticularly good place for studying the pecu-
liar grandeur of mountain sUnrlses and
sunsets; and, two good hotels having been
built upon it-one on the extreme summit,
and the other half mile, or so below
it is largely frequented for that purpose.
1t is made now peculiarly accessible by d
railway completed at present to Stattel-
hohe-seven miles up from Nitznau, which
is one of the calling places of the little
steamers playing upon the Lake Lucerne.
Workmen are employed upon the half
mile or more remaining to be built to carry
it to the summit, and it will doubtless be
completed the coming year. The idea was
furnished, and the feasibility of such
road demonstrated, by Mr., Fell's Summit
Railway over Mont Gents, although the
details Of the Righi road are somewhat
different from his. In both there Is a mid
die rail raised above the level of the others.
At Mont Gents this was held fast and
pinched by pair of horizontal wheels on
the under side of the locomotive. On the
Righi road this central rail Is clOgged
throughout, and the driving wheel of the
locomotive is put in the center, and cOgged
to work into it, as also does a wheel under
each car connected with its breaks. As |
said, the length Of the road, so far as com
pleted, Is seven miles. 1t up grade
areraqsS one FOOT IN yeren throughout
being. IN some places, Just abo1t as steep
as the roof OF an ordinary house. Each
consists only OF an engine and one ear
pushed before it. The engine has an up
right boiler-atter the fashion of those in
use in the ascent Of our own Mount Wash
ingtou and Is 30 kangarooed, if | may
coin the word, that in going up the noun
tain it stands on a habituaI level. The
passenger carriage Is built as lightly as
will give the nee. ssary strength will
carry itty-tour persons sitting in nine rows
Of 9ix each, facing downward toward the
engine ; 1t i open at the sides with light
top to give shade from the sun. 1t re-
quires an hour and quarter to 90 up, and
the same ,ime Is taken IN coming down.
The construction of the road seems to be
Of the most thorough character, and the
grading and masonry are hrst-class
throughout. There Is one tunnel of con-
siderable length, on emerging from which
the ascending train goes over light iron
bridge which spans a deep ravlne. The
transverse s.eepers OF the road are inches
p, and are land down two feet apart
The ordinary heavy rails are riveted upon
1, ,f
beams. inches by 6. are bo.ted, as also IN
the center. the metal rail with its heavy
cogS. The fare is five francs (SI00) up,
and half that sum Tor the descent. There
are seven road men. each OF whom has one
mile Of the distance in his charge, and it
Is his business to 70 over II Just IN advance
OF the train, and 10 sound his warning horn
# anything has fallen uUon the track, or
if any obstruction, or danger, of any kind,
exists.
The first impression which one gets on
starting. Is of anxiety that nothing should
break. and wonder whether everything
will prove strong and right. But as soon
enc has had time to get used 10 the novel
II of the situation, and become satisfied
that skill and care have made all safe, he
will be likely TO give himself up TO enjoy
ment. The view as you assend-but still
more as you descend Just before sunset
Is one OF the most magnificent that can
be conceived.
There being crowd some of Us came
down on the baggage ear, and some on the
engine. aud | never expect to have any
experience % beyond that novel and thrill
ling one of sliding safely down a green
mountain slope, with lake lying at your
feet, and far, down, the little village church
close on the border of the clear water,
where you knew You were TO land at last,
and yet being stTangiy puzzled all the way
10 make 1t out how your tortuous descent
could ever reach that spot. The full
moon added her glory Just As We felt that
we needed nothing more.
| wanted all whom | loved TO be there
to share the rapture of such q scene.
What we saw in coming down was 10 me
far finer even than ali which we had seen
from the glorious summit C9lgregation- /.
alist.