Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-25


The superior working capacity of the mar
row gauge is illustrated by comparisons be-
tween different roads. While the St. Croix
and Penobscot railroad pays but small divi-
dend, the Festinog paid 29t Per cent. in 1869,
which was an average year. The narrow
gauge carrys less dead weight and the friction
is less, so also is the wear and tear. In con-
clusion the advantages of the narrow gauge
system are summed up as follows: Economy
in construction. The great saving in wear
and tear of rolling stock, and in operating the
road The reduction in working traffic.
The increase of revenue by economy of oper-
ating the road. Ready adaptation to general
traffic. Utility as feeders to trunk lines
The concluding remarks are as follows
The proposed kennebec and Wiscasse road
should not want for available means for its
completion. If the city of Augusta will only
do her part the road will be built Already
several of her leading citizens cordially ap-
prove of the enterprise. They are satisfied
that such Il road is proposed, will perform
all that will be required OF it, and that it will
not only be instrumental in developing the
resources of Lincoln County, but will do
much towards promoting the growth and pros
perity of Augusta. The products of its in
dustries need another outlet. Its great wa
ter power, which is to be taxed to its utmost
capacity in manufacturing pursuits, must be
made accessible to tide water by the shortest
route. The proposed railroad will supply
that want. Business men will see the ne"es-
sity of such a road while others in these days
of developing new and important enterprises,
will not hesitate to encourage and aid in the
accomplishment of so desirable and advanta-
geous an undertaking. No other enterprise
that has been suggested will do more to add
to the wealth and population of Augusta than
the completion of the kennebec and Wiscas-
sett railroad. and it would certainly be q mis-
fortune to that city if her people in consult
ing their interests, should turn a cold Shout
der to the enterprise, and let a neighboring
city avail itself OF the golden opportunity by
extending the substantial aid that is requisite
| to make it a terminus. The section of coun-
| try over which the road will traverse, will
| compare favorably in POI uation, wealth and
resources, with any other portion of the State.
| What the people OF that section need is the
| development of their resources, and it il on
this their future depends. A railroad is the
agency they require, and most willingly have
they come forward to render the aid required
| of them for its accomplishment.
| u
of line from Kings Mills on the western
side of Sheepscott river, via Jays Pond to the
| National Military Asylum, by the #. gauge
| and the fit. l. inch gauge. The total es.
innate of cost by the fl. gauge is SlG0, 53s..
p or ST. ,s31.55 per mile; total cost by the
#. l-2 in gauge s2oS $3.50. 6s or 1928, 147.s5.
1t also contains an estimate of the cost OF
railroad from Wiscasset via Turner's Cor
ner and the National Military Asylum to Au.
gusta, distance 80 miles. The total esti-
mate of cost by the it. : l ? inch gauge is
$3.50, 5o5.51 road bed per mile S22 ,013. go
superstructure per mile S?,jl5.10; total cost
per mile $3I ,5S9.39. The total estimate OF
cost by the #. gauge is S5S2, S02 %; road
bed per mile Sl1,l4l.2i; superstructure per
mile SG,40l. 3d. total cost per mile 1923. 542.-
Il.
Marrow Gauge Railroads, Their History and
| Progress. The kennchec ami WIscasset Railroad