Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-06-18
The Shore Line Railroad.

Portland Correspondence of the Boston Journal ]
About year and half ago The Journals
representative on visiting some Of the towns
In the southeastern part Of this State found the
people very much interested over proposed
shore line railroad. Col. J. n. Greene. who a
few years ago built the Grand Southern Rail-
way from ST. Stephens TO st. John, n. B., was
at the time referred to making surveys for
the extension of that road across the st. Croix
river at Calais, and thence through the thriv-
ing coast towns OF Washington and Hancock
counties to Bangor, where connection would
be made with the Maine Central Railroad.
Fifty miles OF the proposed shore line was
completed early last year. and is now operated
by the Maine Central Railroad its Mt.
Desert Branch. One hundred and seven miles
remain to be built to connect the Mt. Desert
! Branch and the Grand Southern to give the
people of this State two through lines from
Bangor TO st. John. While visiting sullivan
a few days ago the Journals representative
Unexpectedly found Col. Greene and party
of surveyors completing the location of the
proposed railroad through the town. On talk
ing with him about the success of his labors,
he said that when he should have completed
the survey through that town he would be
about read, to lay his plans before the towns
along the line OF the road. and after learning
how much aid he could obtain. he would then
present the matter 10 some New England
capitalists. who he was confident would assist
him in his undertaking.
Col. Greene j. an indomiiaple worker and
has already done what few other men would
have succeeded in doing in the way of railroad
construction. Himself thorough railroad
engineer. he understand, how railroad con-
,irucion should h. done To secure the greatest
results in the most economical manner. The
most expensive portion of the through line.
he saNs. has already been constructed. The
balance i comparatively easy 10 build and
when he gets his figures together he will be
able 10 show that with the present condition
of the iron market and the price OF labor
the road through Washington county can
be constructed for considerably less than
Sa0,o0 per mile. This will include iron
bridges the entire length Of the road aud
the LAYING Of G3 pounds steel rails. which
i a heavier rail than has generally been
used upon the road> in lhi- State. lie has had
for a considerable time option for all the
rail- hc want, Of that weight for so ton
The rails used upon the Mt. Desert Branch
lat wear cost So laid down.
Considerable ha, been said about the inabi-
iis Of the towns along the proposed route 10
support q railroad Doubt. were also eN-
pressed upon the same point when the MI
Desert Branch was being constructed a.t wear.
but hon the Maine Central natic up it, an
uual report last fall il was found that the MI
Desert Branch had exceeded expectations and
had done = very handsome business. or course
the travel 10 Bar Harlor wa> = matcrni part
81 the business Of tn" road. hat II ai>n
found that very good local business lad been
done, with prospective annual increase for
the future. MANY Of the towns along Tin pre-
posed extension have undoubtedly aliAin !
their growth unic.> better opportunities are
afford. Il them Of connection With tli, blr.in,,
centres 81 tbs country. u, the ad,cni Of he
railroad lsr-r lumber interests Viii h. de-
,tlop,i and opportunities " III L. afforded for
tn. introduction of manufacturing Interests
wher, at present many excellent water pow
,r> stand uuimpro,c,l Tn, towns through
which tn, road ha- been surveyed arr all in
good financial condition 10 take hold and
help the project along. their liabilities aud tax
able aluaiion having been returned 10 the
Secretary Of STATE lat year a. follow: