Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-09-22
A View rwo.Foo,.eauqe Railroad.

The little Sandy River railroad, in Maine,
is so successful as to .LyJurdgo the building
of a road from Hiram to Brdgton, Me, a
distance Of 16 miles. 1t has the same gauge,
two feet as the Sandy River road, and will be
first-class in every respect. The bonds Of the
new road we're all sold at par before a rail was
laid, and more were called for-which speaks
well for the reputation of the "two-footer." "
Bridgton is in the western part of Maine, and
is the principal terminus Of the now road. It
is a town Of 1000 inhabitants, situated between
two lakes, one five and the other nine miles
long. From the Bridgton News we gather
the following information Work is being
vigorously pushed on the new railroad About
l50 men are now employed in making the
roadbed, and the directors and superintend-
ent, Geo. L. Mansfield, are energetically col
lecting the supplies and attending to the
thousand-and-one details Of railroad building.
Four hundred tons OF rails and fastenings
have been purchased and delivered. The
rails are Of the best quality of steel, 80 feet
in length, and weigh 80 pounds to the yard.
They were rolled at Johnstown, Pa. They
are to be fastened together at the joints with
the angle plate outside and plain inside, rem
dering the track thoroughly braced and sub
stantal. Some 2Gi0 ties to the mile will be
used. Track-laying has already begun, and
the rolling. stock will soon be completed and
ready for shipment The fiat cars are now
ready for use in construction, and are ten in
number They have carrying capacity OF
ten tons each, and will be used as freight cars
when the road is finished There will be six
box cars of the same capacity, using truck
with swing motion and improved brakes.
combnation-car, 80 feet long and g feet wide,
is fitted up to carry passengers and baggage.
The baggage-car proper is Il feet long, and
will be used for mail, express and baggage.
The two passenger cars are of the same
length, with seating accommo odations for 81
passengers. They are finished inside with
mahogany and western cherry woods, with
bronze trimmings, lining and lamps of neat
design. The seats will be individual seats OF
improved pattern, and underneath the floor il
mineral wool to the depth Of two inches ol
more, which serves to keep the cold air from
the floor, deadens the noise, and renders the
car fre-proof. The Miller platform and air
brake are used; also q safety guard on eacl
truck, making it impossible for the car tC
leave the track even if the wheel should dc
so. Obseryation-cars of new design will bt
built this winter for the extensive summer
excursion business which the completion OF
the road 10 sure to open up. The locomotives
two in number-were completed the first oi
September. Their weight is about 10 tons
and either coal or wood may be used in them
Spark karresters are applied, thus avoiding al
danger Of FIRE along the line and preventing
the cinders giving annoyance TO passengers
Air-brakes and a sprinkler which throws
spray of water on the rail in front of the driv
crs will bo attached, SO that in passing arount
curves the hange wear of both wheel and raj
will be saved to large extent. The locomo
tives are built at the Hinkley locomotive works
Boston, and the cars at the Laconia car works
Laconia, N. II. 1t is expected that the roaC
will be in operation by December of thi
year. d. L. MANSFIELD.