Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-12-26
THE BRIDGTON RAILROAD.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ROAD AS FAR As
COMPLETED.

COMflEIEb.
HIRAM, Dec. 20, 1882.
To the Editor Of the Press
Passing few hours in this pleasant viii
lage we hal the pleasure of meeting Mr..
George +. Mansfield, Superintendent of
the Bridgton s SSco River Railroad, aud
by his invitation rode over the liuc, some
eight miles, To Hancock Pond. Leaving
Hiram the road runs along the banks OF a
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 series
Of hills and ravines. We feel ut once an
interest ia this newly opened thorough
fare. The first half mile is on a grade of
los feet TO the mile. After leaving the
highway near the station We have re-
mSrkahle fne view of Kearsarge aud the
Nj. Washington range in the distance,
while AZ East Hiram we have even finer
view OF the same points. Passing along
some three miles We come To y most pic
tlrtsque aud attractive stretch OF the
lake known as Barker Pond" and judge
from its Surroundings OF hills and craggy
ellis in winter that its summer picture
must be charming. Aler leaving the last
named place, around graceful curve we
have the finest view OF Pleasant Mountain
whose long white mautled form stands
boldly out ssainst most beautiful clear
winter sky like an unblushiug maiden at
her bridal. Passing on our way We notice
but one dwelling house along the line,
''lounS'S Hotel, 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,
aud here, 10 my mind. is one OF the most
charmiugly beautiful landscapes We have
along the line of any railroad among the
mountains, and which cannot fail u be
very attractive to summer tourists. From
n heishth O. nearly POO feet we have be-
fore u IN the foreground the pond mile
or more 10 length, surrounded by high hills
and heavy woodland growth of great va
rirty. while stretchin = far away IN the dis
lance MtS WaShiu gtOn, Pleasant, Munroe
AID sable Garter Notch" stand out in full
grand outlines. ldeed this picture is
wonderfully fascinating 90 the lover OF
the beautiful 10 nature, and will prove a
tempting subject 10 the real artist in his
favorite pursuit.
1--WE shall come again 90 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 finished Is
full Of pretty places, and II the remainder
To Bridgton is As attractive IL cannot fail
Of becoming very popular and attrac-
tive. We therefore, predict its success IN
advance. one thing is certainly true, We
have enjoyed 4 ride over the smartest,
p.uckiest little railroad we have ever been
over, while the delightful sensation
OF going around the twenty degree curve
and the speeding a,ong At one point oil
thir.y-fye 20 forty miles al hour makes
me more fully anticipate is delightful ease
and comfort 10 otheIs. Success TO the
citizens OF Bridgton who have inaug urated
this most cOmmeudable enterprise. IL Is
expected that this road will be open FOR
business from the 10th 10 the 18th OF Jan
nary. This road Is sixteen miles long,
running from Hiram Junction 10 Brldston-
passing by the corners OF Sebago and Den
mark. aud is also accessible 10 South
Brid.ton. The officers OF the road ar,
William +. Perry, Bridston. President
Perley p. Durham, Treasurer; Stephen
/. Stevenson, Chief Engineer; Geo. L.
Mansfield, Superintendent. The board oil
directors We are unable 10 give ut this
time. Our first acquaintance with Mr.. l..
=. Foss. of the Fitchburgh Railroad, who
acts Is superintendent OF motive power
and engineer, leads 10 the conclusion thai
h. fully understands his business. MT
NJ. NJ. Caswell, OF BridstOn, acts rs mas
ter mechanic. The other engineer Is Mr
John \. Marcque, from Pennington. We
congratulate the good people Of Bridgton
upon securing the services oil so eNper'
fenced and practical a railroad man as
their Supt riutendent, whose active minG
seems conferred upon more fully developing
m. different methods Of Improving our
railway system, aud whose sentlemanly
bearing will contribute largely TO the sue
cess of their new enterprise. The ROAD Is
fully equipped and its present rolling stocS
consists OF two PASSENGER cars OF thirty
SIX seats each and are flushed IN solid ma
borouy with improved seats upholstered II
liz most modern style. Between The
r,sripys of each car mineral wood depth
,rtbree inches renders them fire proof,
and prevents any cod air from passing
through, and also deadens the noise; are
heated by hot air the entire length, and
ARE ventilated by the most modern lm
movements. They are also equipped Win
The Miller platforms aud vacuum brakes
The color i of what many turn IA rich oil
i've" In black and gold with other colors TO
blend. The baggage, mail and express
ear is fitted up with new Improvements,
and of the same color as the passenger
cars. The length OF each is forty-si1 fee
and three inches over all, with platform
Width : feet six inches; heighth insid,
seven feet ei ght inches. There are ntteer
freight cars. length tWenty-siA ieet' same
width as tie passenger, and also one com
bipatiou car, thirty feet long over all
These cars are all OF one color, which Is o
o,ive. There are three hand cars ant
,hrea nush ears OF a new design. The two
rsss.iger cars are named "Pondicherry
and .Niount Pleasant" More rolling stoci
will be placed on the road III the spring
There are two locomotives, when TOT rea
sDite and gritty action We think VIII tax
the palm. aud reminded Us when let out D
two of our favorite horses that only Nat
IN be touched To leave time IN the rear
They are coal burners" having spark ar
rosters, which are largely used on IN
.Old Colony railroad. They are alsS
sonioped with vacuum brakes and traci
sprinklers. which make large saving il
n.uge wear sround the curves. In con
clusiou. we can most assuredly add on
testimony TO the safety, ease and comfor
of this narrow gauge railroad, fully believ
ing that they will come into more genera
pse among the highlands of the North, an
ne the most economical railroad system
vet iptroduced-the first being the ia
famed "Billerica & Bedford Railroad.
We trust that our Bridgton friends ma
realize ALI they so earnestly desire in build
inc no to greater proportion the bushes
enterprises in their town, and In the IL
tnre. as they have in the past, push OF
s,-,ri IN even greater success. We forge