New-York tribune., 1880-03-02

RUNNING TRAINS on THE CHATHAM SQUARE BRANCH
AND TIE SECOND AVENUE ELEVATED ROAD
SCENES ALONG THE LINE AND AT THE TRANSFER
STATION.
| The Second Avenue Elevated Railroad was opened
| to the public yesterday, as was also the branch
from Cbatham-squarc to the City Hall. The first
trains started promptly at $50 a. m, and after
ward ran every three minutes during commission
hours. Through the day trains were run about
every five minutes. Travel over the road was heavy.
Many persons living considerable distance above
the upper end walked to SIxty-ffl-st. in order to
ride on the new road.
On the west side Of SecOnd-avo., between Sixty
fifth and Sixty-sixth-sts.. there is large wooden
| structure for coal and 4 switch track for engines
! 4 large number of locomotive engines and cars
| in readiness on tho middle track which extends
from Sxty-ffthst. to Fifty-ninth-st., in order TO
make up trans often as the travel required. The
cars mostly those that have been used on the
Third Avenue line but some of them were like the
! Sixth Avenue rolling stock. The trains ran smoothly
over the road, but the rails seemed to cause
more noise than even the Third or Sixth Avenue
| Road. At several different places along the line
| the track is very high. Between irty-fOurth-st
aud Fortysecond-st. the tops of the cars are seen
above the roofs of the houses. The track appar-
emily descends after few blocks to the level Of tho
/ irst.story windows.
The curves were all made slowly and smoothly
yesterday. At Twenty-thud-st and Second-avc
the curyeIs particularly sharp. The station is be-
tween the curycs at First aud SecOnd-aves. The
stations along the line are not yet completed, and
| only the iron framework u IN position. Little
wooden structures are now provided for Che ticket
I agents. Many mechanics are engaged finishing the
work. Large pi1cards posted I'm each station
lorbdiing the workmen TO eros, the tracks. The
station at Thrty-fourth-st will not be finished for
some lime and the trains VIII not stop there for the
present.
The CITY Hall Branch, which has been closed since
carry last summer is now pant OF thc Third Avenue
route to Harlem. There thus two separate lines
of elevated road. which approach each other at
Chatham qUarc, but do not cross each Otlcr 10
provide for the transfer of passengers from one road
10 the other higI bridge connecting tho two has
been constructed. Passengers coming downtown on
Thirl-aVc. are able 10 reach the Battery by cross
ing tie bridge and taking the dOwn-trlln
on tho Second Avenue Line. Bv the samo
means passengers going uptown from City Hall who
desire 10 by the Second Avenue Line ere able TO
make the transit ?. now staOan has also been
built adjoining the old Of the the Third Avenue
Line, from winch extra trains are 10 be dispatched
during the busy hours of day. 10. The aCCOmmO
dation Of those going uptown from Chatham
square.
The transfer of passengers Yesterday was at
tended with considerable confusion. ! he arrange
ment of the stations of the two lines. which be-
sight appears perplcXng on account Of the numcr-
Gus gates passagc-ways and flights oi stalis. IL
Appeared ~ Dee puzzle, especially 10 women, many
%, whom were only able 10 find their way over the
bridge after repeated directions from the gatemen.
he wooden stars leading to the bridge, temporarily
con stuctcd uItll the IRON ones should bo finished,
soon proved too narrow. Passengers meeting on
them were compelled 10 squeeze past each other in
single Glc wait at the foot until the coast was
Gear. Workmcn were engaged last night remedy
ing this difficulty by making the stairs wider.
The platform OF the station - no: close enough 20
the track and consequently there ~ considerable
space bctwten u and the cars person ~ night
might easily step into this open space and be seri-
ously injured.
With ference 10 the working of the junction.
the chief engineer of the Ihird Avenue Line SAID
last evening 10 q IRtBU NJ reporter:
There seemed considerable of hitch to-day,
but think II largely attributable 70 the fact
that many of the passengers instead OF passing ON,
stopped To- SEE now the tracks had been arranged
mud 10 watch the transfers. great many transfers
ARE made necessary because a large proportion of
the passenger, coming down biId-ayc. desire TO 60
10 the Battery. and most Of those coming uD from
the Battery wish 20 take the ears on lhiId-1ye."
The ticket agent nj the CITY Hall station stated
last evening that the traffic over the CITY Hall
Branch was much heavier yesterday than II was on
an average day before the branch had been closed.
After midnight no trains viii be- Run on the Second
Avenue Line or the City Hall Branch. The Third
ave trans after that hour will run 10 the South
Ferry station at tho Battery unti o'clock In the
morning Al that time the regular ordc. OF run
ming on both roads will be- resumed. On Sundays
also traffic will Ice suspended on the Second Avcuuc
Line aud the City Hall Branch; but the Trans on
1LiTd-avc. Will ruu To the Battery as heretofore.