Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-07-11
Correspondence of the Baltimore American.
A Railroad Connection.
BRooKEylLLr. July 2. 1879

<,
] concluded former letter by attempting to
show the great advantage 10 the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, and consequently to the trade
and commerce of Baltimore, Of The construc-
lion by-road of the short cutoff from Hanover
Switch on the Washington branch 10 Cal
thershurg in Montgomery county. That cut
off was showed TO be bnt twenty-five miles
long, and almost an AIRLINE in its course. The
maximum grade is but fifty feet to the mile.
and curvature of not less than one thousand
feet radius. Its superiority over the Laurel
cutoff and the present routes via Washington
and the Patapsco was also shown.
propose now to show by comparison, the
effect the construction of that short cutoff
will have in shortening the travel and trans
Portation between Baltimore and the Point of
Rocks, from whence it is understood the com
pany propose constructing third track TO
Cumberland, 10 give greater facilities 10 the
coal trade from that rich mineral region
The distance from Baltimore via Washing
ton and Metropolitan Road 10 the Point o.
Rocks is eighty-three miles from Baltimore
VIA Patapsco and Main Stem, with its sharp
curves and high grades at Paris Ridge, is
sixty-nine miles; from Baltimore via Gathers
burg, is sixty-three and a-half miles; and from
Baltimore via Hanover Switch cutoff and Cal
thersbnrg to Point of Rocks, the distance is
but iifty-eight miles thus showing a saving
poltan route of twenty-five miles, and mas
much as trains over that route run to Point of
Rocks in as short time as over the Patapsco
route, an equal saving over the latter route
Applying the same comparison and calcnla-
ton that was made between the Hanover
Switch and several routes, it will show the
following striking results
Twenty-Five miles saving upon one train is
twenty-five miles. but twenty five miles saving
fd,1,, tt,n
return trains to the main steml will be a saw
ing Of | ,250 miles per day. This multiplied
as in the former calculation by three hundred
running days in the year, will show an annual
saving Of distance on the Hanover Switch
route over all others Of 375. 900 miles, and
this saving goes on through the perpetual life
OF the company.
Inasnuch as the Laurel route is not coz
structed, the saving of distance, five and a
half miles, without increase of curvature or
grades, and the greater development of the
rich populous, and highly improving section
Of the country, both ia Howard and Montgo-
merry countless, must, ii would SEEM commend
the Hanover route to favorable consideration
and adoption. IF adopted, it will open to
your city one Of the most healthy, attractive
and beautiful summer resorts and sites for sub
urban residences any where to be found in the
State. 1t will bring together the citizens If
w
Howard and Montgomery, there to unite with
the peaceful and enterprising inhabitants of
those counties in carrying forward still fur
Their improvements, or to enjoy the pure aia#
delicious water, and wholesome and nutritious
fare to be found in every farm house. and many
with open doors, anxious TO take in and re-
ceive summer boarders, with no risk or dam
ger OF vienna notes, but on terms so mod
crate that none can complain. The Meropol-
hrA, Nh I, an.
Point of Rocks, has already attracted many
inquiries for board and purchasers for farms
and suburban residences. The Roman Cath
oics have purchased handsome site for
female seminary on the line OF The road near
Rock ville and, not to be outdone the
Methodists of Washington have also bought
at several hundred per cent advance upon It's
former cost two hundred and fifty acres Of
land, near Gaithersburg, to be laid off in lots
and avenues for residences, and for perna-
nent camp meeting ground for that large and
Influential religious sect. It is whispered that
his excellency, President Grant, has an inter
est in this latter purchase, and will probably
pitch tent upon the ground. Other purcha-
ses are spoken Of, and there be no doubt
that the whole triangle formed by he pataps-
co and the Potomac, and the Washington
branch as its base, with one point resting upon
baltimore and the other upon the city OF Wash
ington, is destined to be peoped by refined,
intelligent and cultivated population The
construction of the Hanover Switch branch
will materially hasten such a result, and en-
able the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to main
tain her ascendency in the race of competition
with her rivals.
The reconnaissance, survey and location of
this new and favorable route, is due TO the
skill and ability of the first assistant engineer
of the company, T. p. cambridge, Esq.