The Press., 1884-09-18
THE SWEETEST GRADE.

Much has been written about the con- struction of the mountain divisions of the Denver x Rio Grande travellers have mar veled at the per cent grades and the 15 degree curvatures of the remarkable mar row-gage railroad which penetrates the most rugged canons and climbs the most lofty mountain ranges of the Rockies. But nobody has ever we'll described the wonderful 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 steepest grades and the heaviest curves in the world that are overcome with the or dipary drivewheel locomotive. Afar up in this range of mountains, seven miles away, 5000 feet higher than the bed of the canon, is the famous Calumet mine, from which is extlacted the hematite Iron ore that keeps ill blast the furnaces of the Bessemer works at Pueblo. Every morn- ing of the year a ponderous locomotive and small train of cars toil hp this steep, and every afternoon they make the perilous descent to the valley loaded with iron, with the steam brakes on the cars, the water pressure on the locomotive drivers, and man standing at the brake wheel of each car. ,... ....,. ., .....
 A few years ago, when the operation of the line was commenced, runaway acci- dents were of almost daily occurrence. The seven miles were within a brief period strewn with the wrecks of cars and loco- motives and iron ore. The most discourag- ing 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 interfere with
 
 1 with the brake ip psueoessful operation, the train would take a crazy notion and go fiy- ing down the Mountain sides, along the brinks of fearful precipices, through the rock-bound gullies, around the acute curves, like bolt of lightning. The train hands would leap for life, and then the locomo- tive and cars would be dashed into frag- ments. In all these accidents, however, nobody was hurt. Thousands and thou sands of dollars worth of rolling stock is said to have been destroyed before 8 suc- cessful system of operation was establish ed. Only very few of the higher officials of the Rio Grande realize how terrible was the experience of these rides, and it is told of two of them who once summoned suffi- cient curiosity and courage to make the journey, they were so frightened that they hung on to the steps of the caboose, ex- pecting every moment to have to leap for life.
 I Finally, extremely heavy locomotives were built, and force of exceptionally brave trainmen were secured. The latter were instructed to cling to their post at every hazard, and to never finch in the moment of danger. Not serious acci- dent has been recorded since. Starting from the mine, every brake is manned, so l that in case the steam should fail the train could be checked. While there have been several runaways in two years there has not been wreck. The sight of one of these trains descending is one of thrilling interest, the sparks from the car wheels cutting pathway of light down the moun- tains which can best be described as hav- ing the appearance of a molten stream of fire rushing down to the river bed of the canon. n.-Leadville (Colorado) Chronicle.