The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-12-22
THE BRIDGToN RAILROAD.
Description of the Road as Far as Com
pleted.
HIRAM, Dec. 20. 1882

~ wv N@NtsSi " ItO 4 1900.
Passing few hours in this pleasant village
we had the pleasure of meeting Mr.. George E.
Mansfield, Superintendent of the .Bridgton &
Saco River Railroad, and by his invitation rode
over the line, some eight miles to Hancock
Pond. Leaving Hiram the road runs along
the banks of winding and beautiful brook of
the same ancient name for distance of some
three miles through miscellaneous growth of
forest trees, with here and there a series of
hills and ravlnes We feel at once an interest
in this newly opened thoroughfare. The first
half mile is on grade Of 1O5 feet to the mile.
After leaving the highway near the station we
have remarkably fine view Of Kearsarge and
the Mt. Washington range in the distance,
while at East Hiram we have even finer view
OF the same points. Passing along some three
miles We come to most picturesque and at
tractiye stretch of the lake known as Barker
Pond" and judge from its surroundings of
hills and craggy cliffs in winter that its sum-
mer picture must be charming. After leaving
the last named place, around graceful curve
we have the finest view of Pleasant Mougtain,
whose long white mantled form stands boldly
out against most beautiful clear winters sky
like an unblushing maiden at her bridal.
Passing on our way we notice but one dwell
ling house along the line, ''Young's Hote.p'
which, though primitive, no doubt has claims
of comfort and good cheer within. Here we
commence long and heavy grade till we
reach the summit along the eastern shore OF
Hancock Pond, and here, to my mind, is one
of the most charmingly beautiful landscapes
we have seen along the line of any railroad
among the mountains, and which cannot fail to
be very attractive to summer tourists. From
height of nearly 200 feet we have before us in
the foreground the pond some mile or more in
length, surrounded by high hills and heavy
woodland growth of great variety, while stretch
ing far away in the distance Mts. Washington,
Pleasant, Munroe and sable Garter Notch
stand out in full, grand outlines. Indeed this
this picture is wonderfully fascinating to the
lover of the beautiful in nature, and will prove
tempting subject to the real artist in his fav-
orite pursuit. We shall come again to greet
you, when the summer sun shines bright, when
the autumn leaves are clustered in their rich
and golden light. In short, the whole distance
OF the eight miles of this new road that is flu
ished is full of pretty places, and il the re-
mainder to Bridgton is as attractive it cannot
fail OF becoming very popular and attractive
We, therefore, predict its success in advance
One thing is certainly true, we have enjoyed
ride over the smartest pluckiest little railroad
we have ever been over before, while the de-
lightful sensation of going around the twenty
degree curve and the speeding along at Que
point of thirty-fve to forty miles an hour
makes me more fully anticipate its delightful
ease and comfort t. others. Success to the citi-
zens of Bridgton who have lnaugurated this
most commendable enterprise. 1t is expected
that this road will be open for business from
the 10th to the 10Th of January. This road is
sixteen miles long, running from Hiram juno
ton to Brighton, passing by the corners Of Sc
bago and Denmark, and is also accessible to
South Bridgton. The officers of the road are
William f. Perry, BridgtoD, President Perley
z. BurDham, Treasurer; Stephen L. Steven
son, Chief Engineer. Geo. E. Mansfield, Super
intendent. The board of directors we are una
bic to give at this time. Our first acquaintance
with Mr.. l.. f. Foss, of the Fitchburg Rail-
road, who acts as superintendent of motive
power and engineer, leads to the conclusion
that he fully understands his business Mr.
M. M. Caswell, of Bridgton, acts as master me-
chanic. The other engineer is Mr.. John A.
Mareque, from Pennington. We congratulate
the good people of Bridgton upon securing the
services of SO experienced and practical a rail-
road man as their Superintendent, whose ac-
tive mind seems conferred upon more fully de-
veloping the different methods of improving
our railway systems, and whose gentlemanly
bearing will contribute largely to the success of
their new enterprise. The road is fully
of two passengers cars of thrty-six seats each
and are finished in solid mahogany with i'm
proved seats upholstered in the most modern
style. Between the foorings of each car min
eral wool depth of three inches renders them
fire proof, and prevents any cold air from pass
ing through, and also deadens the noise; are
heated by hot air the entire length, and are
ventilated by the most modern improvements.
They are also equipped with the Miller plat
forms ard vacuum brakes. The color is of
what many turn ga rich olive" in black and
gold with othei colors to blend. The baggage,
mail and express car is fitted up with new i'm
provements, pand of the same color as the pas
senger cars. The length of each is forty-six
feet and three inches over all, with platform
width feet six inches; heighth inside seven
feet eight inches. There are fifteen freight
cars, length twenty-six feet, same width the
passenger, and also one combination car, thirty
feet long over all. This is simply dining
room. parlor or kitchen, and is truly model
of completeness and convenience for the COM
fort of all. These cars are all of one color,
which is of olive. There are three hand cars
and three push cars OF a new design The two
passenger cars are named "Pondicherry' and
"Mount Pleasant" More rolling stock will ba
placed on the road in the spring. There are
two locomotives, which for real spite and gritty
action We think will take tho palm, and re-
reminded us when let out of two of our favor
lite horses that only had to be touched to leave
time in the rear. They are local burners"
having spark arresters, which are largely used
on the "Old Colony railroad" They are also
equipped with vacuum brakes and track sprink-
lers which make a large saving in flange wear
around the curves In conclusion we can
most assuredly add our testimony to the safety,
ease and comfort Of this narrow gauge railroad,
fully believing that they will come into more
general use among the highlands of the North,
and as the most economical railroad system vet
introduced. Mr.. Mansfield 10 the proiec-
tor of this new system. which is the third he
has introduced-the first being the far-famed
"Billerica & Bedford Railroad" We trust
that our Bridgton friends may realize all they
so earnestly desire in building up to greater
proportions the business enterprises in their
town, and in the future, as they have in the
past, push onward to even greater success We
forgo, to say that the road is laid with thirty
pound steel rails, Cambridge pattern This
will be the only first class two foot gauge rail-
road 10 the world with safety guards, wherein
it is impossible for the cars to leave the rail.