The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-02-24

form width feet inches inside s feet
3 out TO out, with 26 double and one sim
giles eat arranged as in other cars, seating
80 persons.
Two of our party weighing respective
ly, 2O5 and 2lS pounds found they could
sittogether
IN THE SAME SEAT
with entire comfort. Their average
weight being 2ll4 pounds, shows such
cars to have capcity for a passenger tom
age of l2.2SS pounds more or less, as
the cOnUeydnCer would way.
When it is remembered that Pull
man car weighs So 600 pounds and costs
$4,000 to $4,000, that standard gauge
passenger car weighs $4,000 pounds and
costs $4,000, that many of the trains run
ming over the B. & o., and other great
lines, carrying so few passengers, weigh
from 100000 to 100000 pounds may we
not well stop and ask
WHY Is THIS THUs2
In some places the engine had to
plough through snow drifts on curve
and up grades ofS5 feet to the mile, which
it did with apparent ease, In some places
we attained speed of 80 miles an hour
and whether in or out of snow, on no
grade or heavy grade, on straight line or
curve, at high or low speed, on old track
or new, | was utterly surprised to find the
oscillation, jolting and jarring much less
tLan on most of the fifty or more stand.
ard and broad gauge lines In this country
and Canada over which have travelled.
A train of given number oftons, pay
ing weight, will start easier wheh the
power is applied, and stop quicker when
withdrawn than a standard train. This
renders collision less likely, and destruc-
ton oflife and property much less There
is also less danger Of upsetting, because
the lowering of the center of gravity in
the narrow. gauge more than compensates
for the narrowing ofthe base.
AT an evening session at Painesville
the Board
ADOPTED TIVE NARROW GAUGE,
or three feet track, and such other or
ders as were necessary to press the work
forward during the coming season.
Reserving for a future letter further
mention ofthe amirable harbor of Paines-
vile or Fairport, and the uniform court
esy and kindness ofeveryone we met, and
the incidents of our return trip, | will
pass to other matters.
This is the first action Of the company
establishing gauge. Of the authority,
there is no question. There is nothing
in the charter forbidding, and there is
law expressly authorizing the adoption
of any gauge, so that it is uniform from
end to- end. The action of the Board
is very important as affecting the
FUTURE'oF THE COMPANY,
and perhaps the railway system of Ohio
and other States. Of the past and pres
ent of the w. & L. E. road, and of the
narrow gauge now adopted, the following
may be said:
l, Common labor may be now had so
per cent. and skilled labor 20 per cent.
less than three years ago.
2, Any railroad can be built 30 to 40
per cent. cheaper now than then.
3, Not 10 per cent of existing railroads
are paying dividends on stock.
4, This argues that there are too many
railroads in the country, or that they are
constructed on false principles.
5, A narrow. gauge can be constructed,
including the rail, 20 to % per cent.
cheaper than standard.
6, 1t can be equipped 12 to 20 per cent
cheaper.
7, 1t can be operated 20 to 25 per cent
cheaper, and the wear and tear will be
LARGE PER CENT. LESS.
s, The same motive power will haul 20
per cent, more paying freight.
8, Two hundred tons freight on stand
ard trains require 20 cars of ten tons
each, making total weight OF train 400
tons. A narrow-gauge car weighs tons
and will carry tons, or, in other words,
25 cars, weighing 100 tons, will carry 200
tons freight, making total weight 300
tons-s saving of 25 per cent. in total
weight of train, or so per cent. in car
weight.
10, Transfer of freight can be mad
from one to another gauge for not ex
ceeding 25 cents car This has bee
proven in the operation ofthe Painesvill
& Youngstown road.
II A business that pays per cent. t
a standard will pay 20 per cent, to a mai
This gives large dividend and leaves
a wide margin for successful competition.
12, The people can build and own
and be no poorer, while
the other has been losing investment
to its builders.
13. The narrow-gauge can do the busi-
ness of country cheaper to the shipper
and more profitable to the carrier, and
this meets thelaw ofsupply and demand.
IA, By proper Management and prompt
cooperation the w. & L. E, Co. can now
build narrow gauge from here to Toledo
and may become an important part of
trunk line from Lakes Erie and Michi-
gan and the northwest and west, to tide
water and theeast and southeast.
10. Every neighborhood or section of
country with means, pluck and railroad
fever will be better able to build a feeder
to our narrow gauge line that to a stand
ard gauge.
10. An effort to build standard gauge
may sink all our means and prove abor-
tive, while if we build the other
WE HAVE A GOOD ROAD.
It will develop business, andifthe future
demands, we can make double track,
lay tbird rail change to standard
gauge, or do other things which wisdom
Or our strength may justify. Wealready
have
A PROPOSITION TO CONSTRUCT AND EQUIP
5he whole line for $4,000 cash, $4,000
bonds and $ll 900 stock per mile.
The gainesville Youngstown road is
built across valleys, over very rough
country with numerous cuts and fills, |
Most of the work was done when prices
we're high, and the road as equipped cost
S22, ,450. per mile, $1,000 cash, balance in
stock and bonds.
PROBABLE COST OF W. L. R.
1t is thought the following figures rem.