New-York tribune., 1873-01-16
A NEW RAILROAD SCHEME.
THE DOOR TO LOWER NETWORK OPENED.

1t seems probable that the problem of rapid
transit will soon be solved through the interposon Of
agents far beyond the city whose interests are To be
chiefly affected 1t For long time past scheme has
been quietly In progress for railroad consolidation
more extensive In s character than any except that OF
the Pennsylvania Central Railroad and its connections
This scheme, 1t Is said, will be perfected within few
days. every preliminary having been fully arranged
The combination, taking the New-York and Boston
Railroad as Its basis Will include the Putnam and
Dutchess Railroad the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad,
the Pine Plains aud Albany Railroad, and the Harlem
Extension from Chatham through to Rutland, VT, with
branches to North Adams, Mass connecting with the
Hoosac Tunnel to Albany and Troy, making direct
line to Saratoga. and to Hudson Rhnebeck, Poughkeep
sic, Fishk1l, Peekski and Sing Sing.
IL will tap the Harlem Railroad at White Plains and at
Brewster connecting with the Boston. Hartford aud
Erie for Boston. At Millerton connection will be
formed with the Connecticut Western Railroad for
Springfield and Hartford at Chatham with the Boston
and Albany Railroad and at Rutland with the Vermont
roads running directly to Ogdensburg, Montreal and
all connecting points.
A line OF steamers will from Og1ensburg to
Duluth. which will also be connected with Montreal by
an airline railroad. At Peeksk connection will be
made by n suspension bridge wIththe Erie Railway
contract has been made with the Erie Railway for
years, which renders 1t practically party to this ex
ensiye scheme. Its gauge will bo reduced and passen-
gers may thus be brought from San Francisco directly 10
this city without change of cars.
vASDERBmT's WEAPON TURNED AGAINST HIMSELF.
While these arrangements have been quietly in prog
ress Mr. Vanderbilt has supposed that the interests OF
his roads were safe, long he held control OF the
avenues OF approach to this city Any railway scheme
which stopped short at Harlem River on the New
Jersey shore could easily be combated by him. Hence
earnest opposition in the Legislature to the Central
Underground Railroad, In which he was partly sue
cessful
This road was projected by managers OF the Hew-York
and Boston Railroad, who had the railroad consolidation
above mentioned then in contemplation and who sought
thereby to obtain downtown terminus In opposing
the Central Underground Railroad. the Commodore used
q weapon which is now turned against himself.
Dr. Giberts plan Of an elevated railway was consid
cred by the Legislature, and the friends OF the
Harlem agreed TO support it its advocates would unite
in opposition TO the Central Underground. The league
was formed, and the Gilbert scheme, from which no
danger was expected passed, while the Central Un
dorGOund Railroad bill shorn OF its most valuable
provisions
Its orginatOrs then turned their attention TO the Gil
bert Elevated Railroad and found that it would answer
their purposes quite well the which they had
contemplated building. Negotiations soon placed 1t in
their hands, and all the railroad officers who have been
concerned in the railroad consolidation have adopted
this as an important part OF their plan.
THE GILBERT ELEVATED RAILWAY
The construction of the road has already been fully
described in THE TRIBUNE. 1t will start from the upper
end the Island High Bridgebe terminus of the
New-YOrk and Boston Railroads-and Will run down
Nnthave. TO Observation-Disclosures; thence to
Eghth-ave and through it TO Fiftyhirdst; thence to
sixhave, and through it to Fourthst thence through
South Fifthaye. and West Broadway to Chambers-st.; ;
thence 10 BOwling-Teen and upward through Beaver,
Pearl and other streets TO secOndaye.. through which
IL will continue to, and along Harlem River to High
Bridge, the point of beginning.
II will be an iron viaduct road built in the most sub
stautal manner with steel rails, and constructed to
carry 5000 pounds to the foot exclusive Of its own
weight with factor Of safety Of 5that i 1t will take
five times the estimated weight to break it down.
1t is designed to be the finest structure in the world
and will cost 81 10000 mile 1t will be "a feet above
the street. with handsome arches between the sidewalks
The posts sustaining it Will be 50 feet apart IL will not
interfere with sidewalks streets, or buildings 1t will
not inherent the light will be protected not to
fghten horses will be impediment to business.
nor any etriment to property the streets through
which it will pass
The engines will consume !their smoke. The surveys
have been made the contracts have been given out In
part and the work will be entered upon at once. When
the iron work ready viii be put up at the rate of 200
feet per day. and it is promised that the first section
from High Bridge to Chambers-st and West Broadway
will be in running order within the present year.
The cars arriving from all points east and west will
directly upon the Elevated Railroad, l6tun loco
motive being attached. One train will be ltaken down
the EASTERN and down the western side Of the city
Thus a passenger In palace ear from Boston. Mon
trea Francisco may be landed at City Hall Park
or Bowling Green without change
For local traffic lighter will be used 1t is proposed
10 have cars following another at intervals of five
minutes each OF the tracks, on both sides of the
CITY at the rate OF 30 miles hour The stations will
be half mile apart Large cars Will bo taken around
the city to receive passengers and baggage for all con-
Meeting points, and timetable will be provided at the
local stations.
THE ENTERPRISE ORGANIZED
Several meetings Of the projectors of this enterprise
have recently been held. At one held yesterday the fol
lowing Directors elected:
SIN Barlow, p II. Watson, W. r. Traverse, Fred
erek schqcGard VIM EGse G eorrc M H fan n BrSws BpySS
Isaac p. Martin, and Rufus III. Gilbert.
The following officers chosen:
Vim. Foster jr, President; j. Q. Hoyt, VcePresdent;
T.. J.. Bacon, Secretary: A. Mchennev, treasurer u
Goddard, Assistant Treasurer, ana Kufus H. uiDert'
Engineer.
Gen. J. A. Gilmour, Z. II. Tracy. and Henry A. 81
John will be invited to become consulting engineers
The route above designated was selected by commits
sion consisting of Gen. John A Dix Henry e. steboms'
Chester A. Arthur, Gen. O. A. Gilmour ana shepherd
Knapp. 1t is estimated that the work will cost about
s2OOOOOOo and bonds will be issued to that amount IL
asserted that English capitalists stand ready 10 take
the entire amount as they are placed ID the
market - =, 49,. =,
A large number will be taken, however by those d-
rectly interested in the enterprise one ois chleI pro
is OF the opinion that rs per cent VIII DC reazea
the outlay the first year after the circle completed
THE BOSTON, HARTFORD AND ERIE RAILROAD.
The Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad Com
pany whose OF late years have been closely
interviewer with those of the Erie Railway Company Is
in something OF quandary concerning the mortgage
bonds which fall due on April 49, and unless preparations
are made to meet their payment the mortgages VIII
probably be forecosed and the road VIII pass into the
hands OF the bondholders. The mortgage debt Is t2o
OooOOO and there is floating debt OF about OooOo The
Erie Railway Company holds and controls about