Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-31

a Narrow GaaEe Railroad System for
Maine.
The Maine Farmer, having published two able
articles in advocacy of narrow gauge railways, sup
plements them this week with an additional arti-
Gle on the same subject, showing the necessity for
more economical, bat equally efficient system Of
public transportation in orr State than at the
presen, time prevails, especially for many locai-
ties demanding better railroad facilities than at
present exists. We make few extracts from the
Farmers article of this week
A question has been raised as TO the inconven-
fence and expense attending the trans-shipment OF
freight, or breaking bulk Of merchandise. where
narrow gauge road connects with a road of the
standard gauge, and many persons seem to think
il great obstacle TO the success of the former
system. Bat facts show this TO be a mere
bagatele, which is, we fear, in some in
stances, magnided in importance by persons op-
posed 10 the narrow gauge system. Numerous
statistics could be presented from the reports OF
the narrow gauge roads in actual operation showing
very slight expense of this item but statement of
one road will be sufficient that of the Des Moines
and Minnesota, road 81 miles in length, which
has, from its start, paid 10 per cent. on $4,000 per
mile, the cost of building, with additional cost
for equipments of 81 900 per mile. On this road
no charge to shippers is made for transfer of
freight except on lumber. and as two wide
gauge cars will load three narrow cars, the
charge is $3.50, or Sl.11 per car. The report of
this road also shows that the trans-shipment Of
grain costs but 81 for twelve cars, or less than
35cts per 1t is safe to say that from the low
freight tariff allowed by narrow roads in conse-
quence of the economical manner in which they
may be built and operated, the extra expense for
transshipment OF ali kinds Of freight, could in no
case carry the expense to equal cost with present
standard gauge roads, while in all probability it
would be much less.
All the facts show that narrow gauge road at
a total cost of 10000 per mile for road and
all equipments, will do the business which any
standard gauge road in Maine is now doing or has
only required by great. through trunk lines
We must admit however, that we believe in such
roads for our State wherever a new line is pro-
posed; as we believe they may be built and
owned in the localities through which they pass
and that the business prosperity of the
State will be developed and increased through the
building Of such roads. 1t was, therefore, in the
interest Of the State and our city, that the pre-
yious articles were written. We attempted to
show how Augusta would be benefited by
such a road reaching TO the upper Kennebec-
it is for those who have the welfare of the
city ut heart to say how it shall be done.
This accomplished, and direct railroad communi-
cation with Lewiston viii next follow. Other
localities will also become connected with this
system, until those places now beyond the reach
of railroad facilities viii be brought into commu
nicaton with business centres and the prosperity
of the State augmented. This scheme we believe
to be in the interest of cheap transportation,
which our State 30 much needs, and in the true
welfare Of our people.