The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-03-30
RAPID TRANSIT.


TWENTY MINUTES.
The question of rapid transit for the citizens Of New
York is now beginning to assume tangible shape and
in all probability the Gilbert Elevated road will DO
running from Bowling the Central Park before
the end OF August II is rather hard realize the fact
after the years that have been consumed in discussing
the question: but the recently signed by Mr.
George NJ. Pullman, behalf Of the Gilbert Elevated
Railway Company, and Mr.. William Sellers, Of Phil
adelpha, representing the Edgemoor Iron Com
pany, Of Wilmington, Del, directly proves tho
commencement Of the work Ground viii not be
broken for the four or Ave weeks, as the
company do not wish 10 impede the traffic
in the streets and therefore the holes Will be dug
until the posts laying alongside, ready to DO
put up. 1t may seem rather premature to fix upon
such early date as the LIST of August for the
pleton Of Eve miles of an elevated railway; but when
begins consider that, with The work ready
there only the labor OF putting together the task
appears feasible. The railway TO BIO built by the
COMPANY
under the contract recently signed, will begin at
Bowling Green and run through Church street. Cham
bers street. West Broadway, South Fifth avenue West
Third street and Sixth avenue to Central Park dis
lance Of about five miles. The charter of the
pany gives the power to build an elevated railway
around the island coming down SECOND avenue
on the cast side, but In the New York Elevated
Railway should build their line on Third an ar
rangement will probably be made between the two com
panies TO somewhere about 155th street. and
thus afford double track railway making pete
circuit of the island BY this means trains can be
kept running in opposite directions without change
and afford quick from any part the city to the
other
The Gilbert Elevated Railway apparently showing
10 abont their work on n liberal scale
as the they have just signed calls for very
superior class OF work in fact, hfty per cent
stronger than the the work demands.
CONSTRUCTION.
They intend putting up road that will satisfy the
public to It's safety aud also the company tho
constant expense that repairs would necessarily entail
upon any job hurriedly completed on a cheap plan A
double track will be laid the centre OF the Streets
supported by two OF columns OF great sody and
strength. twill be manufactured from the best double
refined aud the track Will be laid with steel rails
proportoned to bear pressure OF 1000 pounds to the
lneal foot The stations will be constructed about halt
mile apart at important points along the where
the grade is suitable IL Is intended TO have stations
adjoining Fourteenth street, Twcntythird street,
Thirty second street, Forty second street. Fifty
second street and the Park The entire track
will DO guarded by strong walls or parapets, to
avoid any danger in case OF running Off the track In
order 10 awan the speed that the company propose to
travel at the gines will be of powerful order and
weigh about fifteen tons A locomotive of that size
and power becomes necessary when stations 30
frequent, with smaller engine much time would
be lost in starting and stopping With fifteen ton
twenty five miles hour which, including half a
minute stops at the stations. Will accomplish the trip
from Bowling Green TO tho Park in twenty minutes.
In the morning and evening" between the hours OF five
and hafpast seven, trains Will be run for the benefit
OF the general public at charge OF five cents and
the same time there will be trans of
PALACE CARS,
where for extra five cents, the passenger avoid
the crush on tho cheap trip The trains will be at
intervals OF two minutes during the busy portions OF
the day.
A HERALD reporter had q long conversation ycster,
n he
management OF the road and from him ascertained tho
following facts-
REroRrKR-Do you find any opposition on the part
OF property holders 10 the construction OF the Elevated
Railway
DIREcroR-No, sir; the only opposition that has been
made emanates from The horse car lines They some
times attack through the gusc OF property holders
but we are personally satisfied that the latter thor
oughy understand the Dement'S that they will derive
from the establishment Of the road on the streets
where they are Interested.
REPoRTER-Whv are you satisfied Oh that point2
DiREcToR--Simply because IL Is plain to any cloar
headed that tho travel the road will bring to tho
streets over which II runs will benefit the business In
that street Let us look back few years What
Sixth avenue before its horse line laid, in the
time when there was no line between Fourth and
Eighth avenues? The horse car limo made the street,
as Is brought the travel from Broadway and Seventh
avenues
REroRrER-You said that the horse car lines we're
opposed 10 the Elevated road
DRRcroR-Yes and through very shallow views, as
viii benefit them instead OF hurting their business
We shall relieve them Of the ongtrip passengers, on
whom they make no profit, and leave them the short
trip traffic, which will be greater than ever twas.
sixth avenue VIII be greatly benefited by the Gilbert
Elevated Railway, as considerable business must be
derived from the passengers living Broadway, Fifth
avenue Seventh avenue and Eighth avenue that will
get on and oil at the different depos between Third
street and the Park
REroRrER-Do you think investment tho
terprise Will prove pro1tabley
DREcToR-Certainly do. have been over TO Lon
don and examined INTO the financial condition OF the
underground railroad there, and, although IL may ap
pear strange, discovered that they derived their
profits not from the regular traffic, but iron the ex-
cursonists
Demonstration You expect to derive considerable
traffic from excursionlstsY
DREcroR--Yes We expect a largo business from
that source, as II Is only natural TO suppose that
nearly every stranger that visits the city will take
ride round tho island They will do il from mere
curiosity, If they have desire to the city
Again the road Will open the Park to the residents OF
the downtown tenemenis, and where can they ind
pleasanter trip during the hot summer cveningsf
REPoRrER-How soon do you expect tho contractors
will commence 10 put up the parsy
DREcroR-Probably IN about month. They will
not commence until they have good stock COM
pieted, that once they commence putting the road
together they will not have to stop for want OF ma
teraI
REroRrER-wiIl the road DO perfectly safe from all
kinds OF accidentsy
DIREcroR-That is a point which has received spe-
cial attention We are having the road constructed
sufficiently strong 20 bear pressure OF 600 pounds
to the ncal loot when really could have got along
with strength OF 500 pounds TO the foot Our idea
TO establish perfect confidence and make the road pop
ular, well saving ourselves the continual repairs
that would probably DO necessary In case the con-
structOn was weaG.
RgPoRTKR-Do you think that the palace cars will BIO
literally patronizedl
DREcroR-rhey will receive large share Of the
traffic the extra charge will make very little differ
70 the business man anxious for comfortable
ride home Look at tho patronage given 10 the stages
They longer on the road. but still they are gener
ally well oiled, simply because many people willing
TO pay five cents extra In avoid the crowded
cars where they tho chance Of beng annoyed by
paint pot, basket OF market truck. drunken
neghbor unpleasant, odoriierous and innumcrabe
other nuisanccS
REPORTER understand that the railway Is 10 be
completed as far as the Park by the LIST Of Aueusty
DfREcToR--Ycs, we expect IL Will be finished far
Twenty third street By tho 4h OF july. There Will
be no dfculty IN putting the road together whom the
iron work Is ready
MORE CENTENNIAL COMMISSIONERS.
There arrived in this city yesterday by the steamship