Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-11

Wonderful RailfOading.
OVERCOMING GRADE OF OVER FOUR
HUNDRED FEET IN A MILE

Much has been written about the con-
struction of the mountain division of the Rio
Grande; travellers have marveled at the
per cent grades and the Is degree curva-
ture of the remarkable narrow guage rail-
road which penetrates the most rugged
CANYONS and climbs the most lofty noun
tain ranges of the Rockies. But nobody
has ever we'll described the wonderful lit
tie feeder of the Leadville division which
modestly leaves the main line in Browns
Canyon, and ascends the mountain gulches
to the East with the steepes grades and
the heaviest curves in the world that are
overcome with the ordinary drive-wheel
locomotive. Affair up this range of noun
tains. seven miles away. and nearly 5000
feet higher than the bed of the canyon. is
the famous Calumet mine. from which is
extracted the hematite iron that keeps in
blast the furnaces OF the Bessemer works
at Pueblo. Every morning OF the year a
pOnderous locomotive and small train of
cars tolls up this steep. and every after
noon they make the perilous descent to
the valley, loaded with iron, with the
steam brakes on the cars, the water pres
sure on the locomotive drivers, and a man
standing at the brake wheel of each car.
This is the most wonderful piece of
railroading in the universe. The maxi
mum grade is 406 feet to the mile, or
nearly per cent, and the maximum curv-
AZURE 25 degrees. The terminal of the
branch is half mile higher than the COM
mencement. Imagine, then, the difficulty
in ascending with empty cars. and the
danger Of descending with loaded ones.
Still, strange though it may seem, loco
motive cannot make the descent unless at
least five cars are attached. The latter
are essential to provide the resisting pow
er for the steam brakes. The trip up is,
snailish. the return is rapid, in spite of
the steam pressure which cuts the car
wheels iuto sparks that fly out in con-
slant stream from the brakes. in spite of
the reverse action, in spite of the lavish
use of the sand pipes and in spite of the
water brake on the locomotive drive
wheels.
Some few years ago. when the opera
ton of the line was commenced, runaway
accidents were of almost daily occurrence,
the seven miles were within brief period
strewn with the wrecks of ears and locomo-
tives 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 con-
troll over the descending train would be
lost some defect would interfere with the
working of the steam brake; and, even
with the brake in successful operation.
the train would take crazy notion and
90 flying down the mountain sides, along
the Drinks of fearful precipices through the
rock bound gullies, and around the acute
curves like bolt of lightning. The train
hands would leap for life. and the locomotive
and cars would be dashed into fragments
In all these accidents. however, nobody
was hurt. Thousands aud thousands of
dollars worth of rolling stock is said to
have been destroyed before a successful
system of operation was established. On
ly 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 summed up
sufficient curiosity and courage to make
the journey, that they were so frightened
that they hung on to the steps of the ca
bose. expecting every moment to have to
leap for life.
Finally, extremely heavy locomotives
were built, and force of exceptionally
were instructed to cling to their post at
every hazard. and to never finch in the
moment of danger. Not a serious acct
dent has been recorded since. Starting
from the mine every brake is manned, so
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 a 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
mountains, which can best be described
as having the appearance of molten
stream OF fire rolling down to the river
bed OF the canyon.
In Switzerland there are grades as steep
as those of the Calumet Branch. but they
are equipped for operation with the cable
and cog-wheels. Democrat.