The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-10
MAssAoHUsETTs, GREAT WORK.
Through the Hoosac Tuunel-Boston's Great
Freight Route TO the West.

Troy, n. Z, Sept. 8.-For those return
ing from the East to New York, the new route
via the oosac tunnel and the North river forms
a pleasant trip at very slight addition i ex-
penso. From FitohburV, Mass. TO the Hoosao
mountain there Is at present but one track, but
workmen are engaged In rendering its line
straight, and In preparing the roadOed for
double rails. Starting from Boston at ii A. NJ,
you catch, late In the afternoon. the first view
Of the Green Hills, aud hnally, at ten minutes OF
Ave. reach the entrance Of the tunnel. The
anxious traveller stands, watch In hand, ON the
rear Of the last car, to time tue transit and to
make all possible observations.
On entering the mountain, the 0rst thing ap-
parent Is a rapid fall of moisture from above,
which Is 40 considerable Ia amount a. to send
forth quite "a little brook from each entrance
and face Of the mountain. In few moments
the temperature falls from 500 to 6O', which
height the thermometer maintains without
change, day and night in winter and summer.
The iue ~ the tuuuel Is straight hOriZOntally,
but there II a slight descent from the middle to
each end 10 as-ist ventilation and drainage. In
three or four minutes tho bright spot Of light
marking the entrance fades away IN the smoke
and distance. the air, however, remains per-
fec ly pure throughout. although trains are
constantly passing In both directions. Men
bearing tOrci e. are net every quarter Of mile.
examining the track to see II Fragments OF rock
have lien from above. Ia the centre two nxed
torches indicate the position OF the great cen
tral smart, lSD 1eet ueep, ana " 1eet IN ulAm
eter. which serves an invaluable purpose as u
vsnttlating tiue.
Al Intervals. through the gloom. long stretch
IS of brick vaultlnR marx where assures In the
qualification or the roftness Of the rock have
called for artificial SUPPORT. In thirteen min
utes and forty seconds che great bore Is ira
versed. the distance being four aud three quar-
ter miles. As comp red With Mount Gems, this
tunnel h well ventilated, there being In the
former no possibility of a central shaft from the
height of the mountain. IL was also easier OF
/ construction, four faces being gwen tue " ork-
mon for boring upOn. At present the amount
Of traffic over the liue aver some 80 freight
cars day, many OF them through from the
West. Inc grace IL so easy that one engine
here will do the work Of three on the Boston
ana Albany line mi the Increase In the value
of land aud in the population Is beginning to
return 10 tue State some portion OF the mil
lions expended. The appearance OF the coun-
! try TO the west Of the range OF the green hills
differs almost as much from that to the east as
the ltslian slopes to the SWISS beautiful and
uuduldtins, hignly cultivated, aud dotted with
thriving villages. It forIs AN agreeable CHI Ango
to the traveller going West.
he HOosac tunnel. u VIII he remem bered,
was not completed without "A certain num0e Of
Casualties. The cent al shaft having reached a
depth Of some SOO feet, became this gave of
thirteen work uen, who were left lying at Its
bottom for many months, beneath the RAPIDLY
acCumulattnR water, whicn soon nlie1 u 10 the
level OF tue ground. When TINS shaft ad been
sunk TO the required depth, mules we're lowered
into II aLd enpluNed In hauling he fragments
of rock resulting from tue blasting to tue Uu X
/ ets which drew them To the surface. lheir sup
llies Of grain attracted enormous rats, ~ hicn
stiil tnfest tho tunnel. ANA are protected by tue
wVrAnen a. sisn, II good lack.