Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-03-20
Narrow Gauge Railways.


Mr.. Robt. 7. Fairlcc, an eminent Mechan. /
ical and Civil Engineer Of London recently
read before the British Association pa.
per upon Railway Gauges which has had
treat weight among scientific men in all parts
Of the civilized world 1t has been published
in many different languages and its merits
fully discussed may be pardoned for quot
ing at considerable length from this paper, in
asmuch as Mr.. Fairlec possesses the rcpuia-
ton Of proving in practice whatever he has
advocated in theory.
10 speaking of the progress made in ,,
preceding II months in the adoption and con-
siruction Of narrow gauge lines, he says
" As little as yourselves, could | have last
year imagined that all this progress would
have been made in 2 months. At that time
was hampered by the weight Of prejudice
aud Of opposition of every kind, but knowing
was right knowing that the work ! had
in hand was one which would benefit the
whole Of the civilized world knowing that
could | once produce conviction, there need
be no country, however poor, that could not
be supplied no distance. however great, that
could not be trayersed by profitable railways
perseyered and to-day | find that my eff.
forts have been crowned with great and sub
stantial success 1t is not long since that,
to doubt the established gauge was heresy.
A type, to which an accident had given BIRTH
had come in coursc Of time to be considered
perfect 1t was n superstition quickened into
religion. BY degrees, after scores Of thou
sands Of miles Of railway had been built, aud
hundreds Of millions of pounds expended, it
began to be seen that there was something
still to be desired, and that it was ruinous to
make railways for the service Of remote dis
tricts, yielding but small traffic; or, in
countries whose limited means and commerce
could not Justify large expenditure. BY this
time the great outlay which attended the la.
bors Of the earliest engineers, the outlay iu-
volyed by heavy works to gain easy gradi-
ents, had been somewhat reduced and, with
improved locomotive practice, sleeper grad
ents and sharper curves became possible.
Then came the very recent notifications Of
making essentially light lines upon the stan
dard gauge, conforming as much as possible
to the contour Of the surface. The cost Of
construction was thus greatly reduced, and
brought somewhat more into proportion with
the revenue to be derived.
But these improvements were but improve
ments upon a bad type, and real reform
could not be effected whilst the width of gauge
remained, while the rolling stock continued
uualtered, aud the locomotive unmodfed
Thus matters stood when |, having convinced
myself Of the monstrous errors which cripple
our standard railway system, and having
learned the capabilities of narrow gauge,
which are yet scarcely understood even By
engineers who are advocating and construct.
ing them | was encouraged to perseyere, un-
Ill as the circle Of conviction widened was
enabled to put my views to the test Of actual
and wide experience, and to stir into life the
radical reform which to-day is spreading on
every side, and which will before long be.
como general"