Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-26
WONDERFUL RAILROADING.
Overcoming a Grade of over Four Hundred
Feet in Mile.
fLeadylll. Democrat

ILeadyllls DcmOcraL
Much has been written about the con-
structiOn OF the mountain divisions OF the
Rio Grande; travellers have maryellcd at
the 4 per cent. grades and the ljo curva-
turc Of the remaI kable narrOw-gauge rail-
road which generates the most rugged can
yons and climbs the most lofty mountain
ranges Of the Rockies; but nobody has
ever well described the wonderful little
feeder OF the Leadyille division which
modestly leaves the main line in Browns
canyon and aScends the mountain gulcheS
to the east with the steepest grades and
the heaviest 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 can
yon, is the famous Calumet mine, from
which Is extracted the hematite iron ore
that keeps in blast the furnaces Of the Bcs-
sinner works at Pueblo. Every morning
OF the year ponderOus locomotive and
small train Of ears tolls up this steep, and
every afternoon they make the perilOus de-
scent to the valley, loaded with iron, with
the >team-brakes on the cars, the water
pressure on the locom0tiye-drtyers. and
man standing at the brake-wheel OF eacn
ear.
This is the most wonderful piece 81 rail-
reading in the universe. The maximum
grade is 4OG feet to the mile, or nearly
per cent, and the maximum curvature
30. The terminal Of the branch is half a
mile higher than the commencement.
Im.gine, then, the difficulty in ascending
with empty ears and the danger OF de-
scendlng with loaded ones. Still, strange
- "A lnanpNnfiVp
make the descent unless at least live ears
are attached. The latter are essential TO
provide the resisting power for the steam
brakes. The trip up is snailish, the return
is rapid, in spite Of the steam-pressure
which cuts the car-wheels into sparks that
ay out in a constant stream from the
brskes. in spite OF the lavish Use Of the
sand-pipes, and in spite Of the water
brake on the locomotive driye-wheels.
some few years ago, when the operation
of the llne was commenced, runaway acci-
dents were Of almost daily occurrence.
The seven miles were within a brief period
,trewn with the wrecks OF ears and locomO-
tiyes and iron ore. The most discOuraging
results attended the persistent efforts TO
make the line serve the purpose for which
il was constructed. Day after day control
over the descending train would be lost;
some defect would interfere with the
working Of the steam brase; and, even
with the brake in successful operation, the
train would take a crazy notion and 90
fying down the mountain sides, along the
Drinks Of fearful precipices; through the
rock.bound gulles, and around the acute
curves like bolt Of lightning. The train
hands would leap for life, and the locomo-
tive and ears would be dashed into frag-
ments. In all the accidents, however, no
body was hurt. Thousands and thousands
Of dollars worth Of rolling-stoek is said to
have been destroyed before successful
system Of operation was established. Only
very few Of the higher officials OF the Rio
Grande realize how terrible was the expe-
rience OF these rides, and 1t is told OF two
o, them who once summed up sufficient
curiosity and courage TO make the journey,
that they were so frightened that they hung
an TO the steps OF the cabo0se, expecting
eyery moment to have TO leap for life.
Finally extremely heavy locomotives