Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-23
For the hennsJec Journal
THE NARROW GAJGE.

(
1t is about fifty years since the first Railroad
was CHI artered in the United States since which the
rail has kept pace with all improvements and the
Iron Horse has indeed been the pioneer OF our
civilization. Capital is not always heen-sighted
and millions have been invested in building cost
ly roads-a sinking fund from which no returns
will ever issue. The system of Railroad building
in this country has been unnatural as well as
an'ill-a advised one to great degree-too many and
too costly roads have been built, anticipating that
they would soon create a business that would sus-
tain them. In consequence not only are indiyld-
uals and corporations crippled, but general pan
ic broods over the land, for which in great
measure this extravaganza Is responsible Busi-
ness done on credit is Of necessity expensive, and
together with the Encouragement SO often ex
posed has led the people to take the matter more
closely in hand and lay the axe at the root of the
evil. They have in other parts, particularly in the
Western States, inaugurated better plan and the
example is coming home to New England with
just rebuke.
Although it may be said there are even now
enough raroads--and far more than are profta-
ble-yet the people demand cheaper roads and
cheaper transportation. Our people at home know
but little of the operation of the marrow gauge,
there being less than 80 miles at work in the East
crn States, while in the West some $500 miles are
running for various traffic, and five times as
many more are in projection and under actual
construction. 1t would not be wise of course to
insert link of narrow gauge into chain of wi
der roads, but there is good reason for adopting
some of the features of that schedule, as lighter
rolling stock, which will admit Of heavier grade.
and lighter rail, doing the service with equal
satisfaction.
The idea Of hauling the weight OF "A persons
for every individual fare, and $40 tors of dead
weight for every ton Of paying load, taking the
general railroad traffic of Massachusetts, for the
year 1875, las by Railroad Commissioners Report }
will strike every one as being most disastrous to
all commercial operations.
What is claimed for the narrow gauge, g feet)
to cut the matter short, is, ls The cost of road
bed construction is reduced, being nearly 3 to 81
ID The cost Of surerstructure may safely be
put at from one half TO three-fifths the standard
gauge.
I'd. The weight of rolling stock may be one
half or even less-consequently the ratio between
dead and paying weight is in favor of the narrow
gauge equipment
4th. The capacity of the cars Of all descriptions
hss been proven to be sufficient for the general
business of the country.
9TH The narrow gauge equipment is more wield-
ly, and consequently managed with more econo-
my.
9th. The steam power, with its proper equip
ment, is more efficient in its application, accom-
plishng the same work at less cost, or more work
at less cost.
These points are taken by report Of the Den
yer 4 Rio Graude Railway Co., and are SO we i
proven that transcribe them as AXGoMs.
The narrow gauge cars are not too light to stand
70 ugh usage for any reasonable length Of time.
The cars are not too small to carry all kinds of
freight advantageously, cattle and horses being
carried with even more comfort
The three feet gauge is well adapted TO passen-
&c! travel the sleeping cars even having greater
advantages.
There may be equal speed AMI safety.
The power of the Locomotive Is fayorably az
fected, nor is the length of the train increased to
carry the same amount of tonnage.
Il
compared to the cheapness ard economy of the
arrangement
The Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Road, -
speaks well for the narrow gauge. Having been
built but little more than six months it takes
nearly all the travel between Lynn aud Boston,
carrying its passengers less than one-half of the
Eastern Rail Road fare. 1t is out Of debt and
has just made its first dividend at the rate of
eight per cent. per annum. About the first Of
April it will make half hourly trips, the time being
but little more than half hour. Other narrow
gauge roads are being surveyed ont from Boston,
and it is not imp obable that in course Of IT,
years there will be one-half as many miles Of three
feet gauge railroad in Massachusetts as Of the
standard gauge.
GEORGE Wa DsWoRTu c. f.
Augusta, Mar. II, IS.
The greatest snow storm ever known in Mem