Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-07-04
wonderful RaiIroa,Iinr.

Much has boon written about the construc.
tion of the mountain divisions OF the Rio
Grande travellers have marvelled at the four
per cent grades and the IL curvature of the
remarkable nArrow-gauge railroad which pen
etrates the most rugged cahons and climbs
tho loftiest mountain ranges of the Rockies.
But nobody has ever well described the won
derful little feeder OF the Leadville division,
which modestly leaves the main line in Browns
canon and ascends the mountain gulches to
the east with the stoepest grades and the heav-
lest curves in the world that are overcome
with the ordinary drive-wheel locomotive.
Afar up in this range of mountains, seven
miles away, and nearly 5000 feet higher than
the bed of the canon, is the famous Calumet
mine, from which is taken the hematite iron
ore that keeps in blast the furnaces of the
Bcssemer works at Pueblo Every morning
of the year pouderous locomotive and q
small train of cars tolls up this steep, and ev-
cry afternoon they make the perilous descent
to the valley, loaded with iron, with the
stoam brakes on the cars, the water pressure
OF the locomotive drivers, and a man stand
ing at the brake-wheel of each car.
This is tho most wonderful piece of rail-
roading in the universe. The maximum
grade is 4OG feet to the mile, or nearly S per
cent and the maximum curvature 25'. The
than the commencement Imagine, then, the
difficulty of ascending with empty cars, and
the danger of descending with loaded ones.
Still, strange though it may seem, locomo.
tive cannot make the descent unless at least
five cars are attached. The latter are essen
tial to provide the resisting power for the
steam brakes. The trip up is snRilish, the
return is rapid in spite of the steam pressure
which cuts the car wheels into sparks that fly
out in a constant stream from the brakes, in
spite of the lavish use Of the sand-pipe, and
and in spite of the water-brake on the loco
motive drive-wheels.
Some few years ago. when the operation of
the line was commenced, runaway accidents
were Of almost daily occurrence. The seven
miles we're within a brief period strewn with
the wrecks of cars and locomotives and iron
ore. The most discouraging results attended
the persistent efforts to make the line serve
the purpose for which it was constructed.
Day after day control over the descending
train would be lost some defect would inter
fere with the working of the steam break /,
and, even with the brake in successful opera.
tion, the train would take a crazy notion and
90 flying down the mountain sides, along the
Drinks of fearful precipices; through the
rock bound gulhes and around the acute
curves like bolt Of lightning. The train
hands would leap for life, and then the loco
motives and cars would be dashed into frag
ments. In all these accidents, however, no
body was hurt. Thousands and thousands Of
dollars worth of rolling stock is said to have
been destroyed before a slccessful system Oi
operation was established. Only very few
OF the higher officials of the Rio Grande re-
alize how terrible was the experience Of these
rides, and it is told Of two of them who
once summoned up sufficient curiosity and
courage to make the journey, they were SC
frightened that they hung on to the steps OF
tho oaboose, expecting every moment TO have
to leap for life.
Finally, extremely heavy locomotives wert
built, and force of exceptionally brave train
men were secured. The latter were instruct
ed to cling to their post at every hazard, ant
to never finch In the moment of danger
Not serious accident has been recorded
since. Starting from the mine every brak'
| is manned, so that in case the steam should
fail the train could DO checked. While there
have been several runaways, in two year
there has not been a wreck. The sight Oi
ono of these trains descending is ono oi
thrilling interest, the sparks from the cal
wheels cutting pathway of light down tn
mountains, which can best be described q
having the appearance of a molten stream o
fire rolling down to the river bed of tn
| canon.
In Switzerland there are grades as steep a
these of the Calumet branch, but they ar
equipped for operation with the cable AM
cog wheels.