, 1873-03-24
Tho New York Central IsnlIrond.


The New York Central Isnl1rond.
Ono day Inst October, Commodore Vanderbilt
got together every Director and general officer
Of tho Now York Central and Hudson River Rail-
road, and asked them: "supposing wo should
take all tho passenger trains off tho road, how
much cheaper could Ho moyo our freight z" Tho
mattcr Ind been tallsed about before, but had
never boon 40 directly presented. Very different
anHwcrs wore given; and, to reach d definite
conclusion, the Commodore put simpler quos-
tion: "lfow much through freight do wo carry
running from Albany to BulYalo?" Tho ready
reply was, 912,000,00o annually. "IIow
much cheaper could that freight be car
tied Z" Tho lowest estimate was 10 and the
highest 20 per cent. "Thon 1t will pay
to build two through tracks for freight business
nlone," concluded tho Commodore, and tho four
track scheme was ordered carried out.
Whom the bill camo beforo tho Legislature 1ast
month, the Company were asked to pay $780,
600 for the purl1oaion to 1ay tho additional
through tracks. This disbursement they do
clined to make, on the plea that tho $4,000, 900
they would oxpend In putting down double
track Of Bteol rails to facilitnte business and tho
interesta Of commerce should bo considered q
sufficient return for tho desired privilege. They
proposed to build along the line now occupied,
and, where practicable, pasa around the skirts
Of city thug Following tho citizens from aunoy-
ance mud shortening the through route.
During the last fiscal year the gross oarninge
OF the Company exceeded s250O0,000. Their
equipment comprises 600 locomotives, nearly as
many passenger cars, and moro than 10000
freight cars. Inst years. pay roll, for labor
within Now York State, exceeded $4,000, 900, and
the fuel item for locomotives was triao over
91,G00,0oo. Tho Company now have moro than
800 miles Of single track Of stool rails, and tho
close Of the current year will sec tho whole line
laid with steel. Tho immonse volume Of traffic
orcatod by 20 great an enterprise, and tho rapid
development Of the tributary torritory, has con-
yiuced the Directors that present facilities will
not enable them to do tho business us cheaply
as they could with additional tracks.
Not many years ago. 1t was thought the por-
fcction Of railroad management had boon at-
tainod in tho possession Of double track Tho
experience Of the Now York Central dissipatos
that boliof. Dotwoon Buffalo and Now York the
Company has in daily transit about sixtoon miles
Of freight cars. In addition q multiplicity OF
passenger trains are run. These havo the right
to tho roal. Running ut various rates Of speed,
they block up tho track unoqually; whereas, the
economy Of running cars depends mainly upon
their constant movement Locomotives and
cars earn no money when standing still,
although tho coat goes on, bccauAc steam
and working force have to bo kept up.
Upon track uaed for freight and
passengers jointly, stoppageB aro unavoidable.
The track must bo clear at intervals to insure
Bafoty to travellers. schodnlo rulea compel tho
ongincor Of every freight train to sido-track his
train fifteen minutes before the coming passon-
ger train iB duo, md not moyo out until ton
minutes after the other has passed.. Consc-
quontly, even should all tho trains bo on tlmo,
eacli passing costs the Company twenty-five
minutes lost time. Who pays for it7 The
shipper. Therefore, inadequacy Of faciitica Ia
u tax Oh commerce.
Tho fact being conceded that three-nfths Of
all tho freight transported over the New York
Central ncad Is destined to pouts in
New England, All additional double truck
between Buffalo and Albany will 60 far toward
Meeting tho increasing demands OF transporte-
tion. Limiting thoao facilities to freight traffic
will DO equivalent to ut loast four new through
linop. Nor Ii this direct bonctlt tho only adyan-
tage likoly to follow. self-iutereat will comnol
rival ltnes toinaugurate like economical policy;
and, In theac promised improvements, may, per-
haps, bo furnished satisfactory aolutiop OF our
most irritating problem.