The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-02
RAPID TRANSIT.

inc Censr01 hOUtcs from the Battery to
CrOtOn Dam.
| TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
In view OF the fact that the people OF New York are
in earnest in their intentions to havea grand cen.
tral line Of fapid transit railroad and that no bet
ter, safer cheaper plan for it will be suggested
| than that OF an open topped iron tube built upon
columns along the curb lines Of the Streets as sug
gested by me in your paper OF the 10th inst, will
now suggest route Tor the line OF road and the
place at which it should be terminated as a city
! work. The route should begin at or very near TO
South ferry or the Battery, and extend up Broad.
| way to FiltY-ninth street, at the southwest
nue. to point near the Harlem River, where 1t
should take the route OF the Croton Aqueduct
at High Bridge and extend thence by the route
| OF the aqueduct to CrOtOn dam and reservoir,
| where it should terminate as city work.
| In great central line l would enlarge and
strengthen the tubes and columns supporting
| them, making the tube nine feet wide and the
| track four ieet eight and half inches wide; ser
two and half ieet on each curb line and place the
| supporting columns in q line with them This
buildings and leave ample space in the street for
vehicles. The streets would De relieved OF the 400
or 500 omnlbuses which should nave been out
lawed twenty years ago. 1t requires an able
| bodied seaman-and young one at that-tO climb
| safely into and out OF one OF them.
il is most, wanted where most people
cess. 1t should be city work, and
constructed anu operated by commission, as the
and HiI known as New York city transit loan" The
clear profits OF this road, which would not be less
than 5000, 600 per annum, should be made sink
ing fund to pay the bonds and afterwards to eX-
tend and construct city railroads or pay of the
city debt.
this road that shall not throw or either fire or
cinders to annoy either passengers or citizens.
altogether in three years. / am respectfully yours,
Il. r. CAMPBELL, Civil Engineer.
PERTH AMBoY. N. j. Jan. 80, 1874.
A Cheap Two Tier Elevated Road, Up
One Avenue and Down Another.
/ To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
propose occupy about eight feet Of the street,
on one side only, and erect thereon an elevated
viaduct to be sustained on two rows Of orna-
mental wrought iron columns, firmly secured to
stone foundations placed below the action of the
fros:-one line OF columns to stand on the outer
edge of the sidewalk and the other to stand in the
street, eight feet from the curb thereby leaving
plenty OF room for vehicles to pass between the
curb and the columns, and not interfering with
loading or discharging goods, &c. Thus the only
obstruction in the street VIII be the one line OF
columns from 60 to 100 ieet apart, as circumstances
may require. On the top OF this structure place one
track Or the through, or quick transit trains, to
be operated the same as an ordinary railroad
below the through track Tor the way passenger
ine TO be used instead OF horse cars thus avoiding
all the unnecessary stoppages to which the horse
cars are subject. propose to run cars down one
avenue and up another, one block apart, thus
curing a continuous route extending the whole
length OF the city and back to the place OF start
ing. Should 1t be necessary to have an up and
down track on each avenue would then propose
to occupy eight feet more of the street, with an
other row OF columns, as before described, and
construct double tracks, running all cars on
track the same way, thus avoiding all possibility
OF collisions.
propose to have a station at one corner OF
every block Tor the way, way PASSENGER line, with
ton for the through line about every six blocks,
the depots on the through line being one story
higher than those OF the way line, which Will be
suspended from the structure, and no obstruction
of the sidewalk except at the foot OF the staircase.
Passengers could aieht at the stations of the
through line and descend to the way station below
and take the way car to any point they may wish
The whole of the road should be constructed
with iron, the longitudinal orders being contln-
uous the full length OF the line, with thorough
system OF bracing throughout, which, when built
would form tasteful as well as substantial struc-
ture, interceptng the view but slightly as it would
one-half Of which would be open, and,
being placed on the street, would be about fifteen
value OF property on the side on when it was 10.
Gated, especially for store purposes &C.. it would
oring the greater portion or the people to that
BY having continuous rails and placing hard rub
Der between them and their bearings all noise
comparative quiet The cars for the accOmmOda-
ton OF way passengers would be about twelve feet
track, the motive power being placed directly on
tue top or the car and working on the same princi-
pie as an ordinary locomotive. thus enabling the
cars to De propelled either way. When necessary
there could also be additional cars attached with
out engines, to meet the demands OF the
busy hours. The height OF the columns
can be carried to suit the street grade, the
top track or roadway being elevated abou
twenty-slx to thirty feet above the street. Con.
structing this road would not interfere much with
the business interests OF the community as il
would be put into position in sections everything
being fitted and made ready at the workshops Of
the builders Thus the worst part of the inconven.
for the columns, which would only require to exca.
vate space about six feet by fourteen, partly on
the sidewalk and partly in the street. This road
can be constructed that 1t will turn short curves
with ease and can be built In any avenue or street
OF the city,
X A. COGGESHALL, practical mechanic.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn.,, Jan. 70, 1874