Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-02

SMA0A SA4 &AVWE@e
The readers of the MORNING News have
been informed of the building Of the new
liAe connecting Jacksonville with WaYcross,
on the Savannah, Florida and Western Rail-
way, making an almost direct line from Sa-
vsnnah to Jacksonville. The work on this
line has been very seriously retarded BY
the extraordinary weather. Nevertheless,
considerable progress has been made; nearly
forty miles of track have been laid, and
forces are busily working from Jacksonville
and from Waycross to form junction. It
is expected with favorable weather, the road
will be completed by the first of April, and
will be formally open to travel It is the
intention of the management of the Savan-
nah, Florida and Western Railway to render
this route to Florida popular with travellers
beyond all precedent in this section. No
expense has been spared in the construc-
ton, and when completed, there Will be
steel rail from Savannah to Jacksonville.
The splendid iron bridge which is to span
the st. Mary's river arrived at that place
on Monday last, but the work OF putting it
up has not yet been commenced. 1t was
made at the Passaic rolling mills, Patterson,
N. j., by Messrs. John G. Clarke 81 Co., the
we'll known bridge builders. It is entirely
of wrought iron, there not being a single
piece of cast iron In 1t, and is built on the
improved principle OF wrought iron floor
beams and stringers. IL is 100 feet in length
and will rest on substantial masonry piers.
Everything being complete It can readily
be placed In position and secured,
and in few weeks the St. Mary's will be
spanned by one of the finest bridges in the
city.
With this connection complete, making 1t
possible to shorten the time between Sa-
vannah and Jacksonville from fifteen hours
to less than six, 1t Is natural that the man.
aQement OF the Savannah, Florida and
Western Railway should desire to
have 1t equipped with rolling stock
of the best character. With this object
In view, contract was entered into with
Messrs. jackson q Sharpe, OF Wilmington
Delaware, for thirteen cars, passenger
coaches, baggage and express, and two hotel
cars. and with the Baldwin Locomotive
Works, Philadelphia, and Rogers Locomo.
tive Works, Paterson, N. j., for eight en-
gtnes, three for passenger service, and the
others for freight. Seven of the cars, three
baggage and express and four passenger
coaches, arrived here day or two since and
are housed In the car-shed at the depot
They are very handsomely finished, and
are provided with all the conveniences and
latest inventions. On the sides at the top
in gilt letters are the words "Charleston,
Savannah and Florida" on the
sidee in the centre the number and
the letters "S, F & w. R." The exterior
painting is Of deep maroon color, with gilt
lining, presenting a pretty combination.
| The interior of the passenger coaches is of
the Queen Anne design, exceedingly neat
| and attractive. The windows in these cars
are formed of single pane of glass, thus
afording to the passenger when down a full
| view of the country. They are all provided
with the patent couplers and the air brake,
and in fact nothing is wanting in the matter
OF convenience and comfort. While the
cars are not superior to some turned out at
the workshops of the company here, they
are undoubtedly very fine specimens
OF workmanship. The contract for
their construction was given to
the Wilmington firm, for the reason that the
force here have had as much as they could
| do building freight cars The other four
cars, including the two hotel cars, will be
here within the next few weeks, The lat
ter, we understand, will be finished in SUI
| perior style. and will be the first ever intro
duced on Southern road. Each car will have
a kitchen, pantry and linen closets, and &C.
| commCdations for furnishing meals to
| Thirty two persons at a time. neat tables
for four persons being on either side of the
| aisle. regular bill of fare will be fur
nished, aud we learn that the best cooks
| that can be obtained will be secured, and
meals provided in restaurant style. These
hotel or dining cars will be exquisitely
furnished and finished, aud will be feature
on the route Passengers leaving Savannah,
say at II O'Clock, can have their dinners
served hot in the dining car and reach
| Jacksonville In time for tea. With some
Improvements the cars are to be similar to
those in use on the large railroads In the
| North.
Among the engines are three immense
locomotives called "Moguls," for very
heavy freight trains, with six driving
wheels coupled together. The passenger
engines will have a capacity of speed OF
forty miles per hour. One of the "Moguls''
and splendid new switching engine are
! expected from the Baldwin works to day
the others will arrive from time to time.
The engines will be put into service on
the Savannah, Florida and Western Rail
way at once, but the new passenger coaches,
baggage cars and dining cars will be re-
served until the opening of the Waycross
and Jacksonville Road, for which they are
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