Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-04-19
Narrow Gauge RalIroads.

that the future new railroads Of New Eng
land, and especially Of Vermont, will, as q
rule be constructed on the plan Of the mar
row gauge. And this for the very good
reason that capitalists will no longer consent
10 bury their money in expensive roads,
when cheaper class, fully equal TO all the
demands of business, can be built at saw
ing of one-hsf the cost. And so he who
helps to educate the people in respect TO the
actual merits Of the coming road, bestows a
signal favor upon the public. With this end
in view, we condense, from the American
Manufacturer, some interesting facts con-
corning the extent, cost and profits Of mar
row gauge roads in the single state Of Ohio :
Dayton & Southeastern one hundred and
five miles. Contract given out and working
on it. To be finished ready for the rolling
stock October |, 1876, at six thousand five
hundred dollars per mile.
Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy, one hun
dred and twenty-one miles. Contract given
to be ready for fifteen miles and iron laid by
May !, 1876, at eleven thousand four hun
bred and sixty dollars per mile.
Wheeling & Lake Erie, graded part way
for a standard gauge, but changed to a mar
row gauge. The road, equipped and finished
for large business, thirteen thousand dol
lars per mile. They have one mile Of tun-
mel, which cost forty dollars per foot. Road
one hundred and ninety-nine miles long.
The story of the change Of gauge is sugges-
tive. The directors were in doubt, and to
settle the question, went to gainesville to
test the speed and power Of a narrow gauge
locomotive. The superintendent of the
gainesville and Youngstown road gave them
au exhibition of the speed of one of theirs.
This locomotive was Of eighteen tons weight,
twelve by fftecn-inch cylinder, forty-four
inch drivers, and a four-wheel truck The en-
CINE made arun of thirty-nine and two-tenths
miles in fifty-two minutes or at the rate OF
forty-five miles an hour. The engine also
hauled seven loaded and thirty-four empty
cars, forty-one in all, over grade of eighty
five feet to the mile These tests were sc
satisfactory to the gentlemen of the Wheel
ing aud Lake Erie road that they at ono,
resolved unanimously TO adopt the three-fee
gauge for their road.
Wheeling, Alliance & Lake Erie; par
graded. This is about to form connection
with the gainesville s Youngstown marrow
gauge There will be over one hundre,
miles to build the road from Wheeling :,
Alliance.
Toledo AIaumee & Grand Rapids twenty
three and one-half miles long seven and one
half miles finished and running on it, Tn
seven miles cost equipped, with rolling-stock
about eight thousand dollars per mile. |
was not expected this road would pay 70
several years, but it paid big from the yer,
first, and now no one can buy the stock a
any reasonable price.
Toledo < Ann Arbor seyenty-six mile
long graded for a standard gauge. Onl,
a short distance in Ohio.
Bellaire & Southwest grading is now 60
ing on length over one hundred miles.
Cleveland, Collamer & I.akeview is nov
standard gauge going to change to marrow
gauge say that they are out over twenty
five thousand dollars cash by using " dun
mics" and not making it narrow gauge a
first. Road is seven aud one-half miles long
Cincinnati & Westwood; four and on,
half miles long.
College Hill narrow gauge iron partl
laid; locomotive running. win be eigf
miles long.
Lebanon & Cincinnati narrow gauge
just started; about twenty miles.
Toledo & Petersburg narrow gauge twent
, miles long now being graded and nearl
: ready for iron; in good hands will be give
TO five men who will iron and equip I'll
road. Residents along the line give thes
men the road-bed and ties ready to lay tract
Des Moines & Ames. This railroad Ia
been in operation about two years. 1t wa
built with Iowa capital, and had a bonde
, debt Of about two hundred thousand dollar
when completed 1t has paid operating el
penses and reduced the debt forty thousan
, dollars.