Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-07-15
NARROW GAUGE RAILROADS.

The SPECTATOR has repeatedly referred
to the improvements going on, and the de-
velopment stimulated under the influence
which narrow gauge railroads are bringing
about in some sections of Virginia. In ev-
cry instance we can illustrate the circum-
stances which prompted their construction
and the commencement of such enterprises,
by presenting the facts which really repre-
sent the situation of this city and much Of
its sustaining country. The object has been
to make the application, for if they have
proved of benefit to other localities, their
existence here will produce a similar result.
These little unpretending avenues of in
tercourse, when first projected, were called
tracks, in derision. Long since, Mr..
Coon has observed that his engineering was
not so bad after all, for commerce and trav-
ell and large progress have eagerly seized
their winding and penetrating lines for the
highest of purposes-the development of
local wealth-that wealth which, when all
is said and done, lies at the foundation of
our prosperity.
AS committee composed of gentlemen
of this city and Augusta and Highland
counties will soon have under consideration
the proceedings of the Merchants and Man.
ufacturers' Association, at it's last meeting,
proposing that certain investigations be
made relative to the prospect of building a
railroad to Highland, the present is proper
time to present facts bearing on the ques-
ton
Two lines in successful operation furnish
very large amount of information touch
ing the value of narrow gauge railroads in
general way to the country opened by
especially in the permanent wealth
developed from local resources and applied
to local advantages. The Pittsylvania and
Franklin, thirty-two of the forty miles OF
which were built by Franklin county at a
cost of 5000, 900, yields an income sufficient
for the interest, and also provides sinking
fund which, in given number of years,
will extinguish the principal, when the
county will own the property simply by
means of assuming debt as her own, but
discharged really,-both principal and in
interest-by the earnings of the road
Whilst this is going on, the road enhances
values, develops wealth, benefits all the peo-
pie by the advanced means of transporta-
ton it furnishes, and diminishes the ratio
of taxation by creating increased Values
The other road referred to-the Danville
and New River-will, by an analysis of
facts, produce results similar to the above.
The latter-named line has now reached
the county seat of Patrick, at the base of the
Blue Ridge mountains, and is destined in
the extension of its main line either in the
direction of Goodson- Bristol or across the
New River valley towards Kentucky, with
Southern feeding lines some of which are
constructed into North Carolina to give
Danville a wider range of interior country,
and is far more beneficial to her trade than
the trunk lines of railway which converge
at the young city on the ''Dan." This Coon
track is destined to effect remarkable de-
velopments in railroad enterprises.
We could go on with this illustrative
argument for the benefit of the scheme oul
PEG pie are now considering, bnt enough fol
the present. Through Highland and along
the great watersheds of the James, the Pc
tomac, the Greenbrier, the Cheat, and the
Mouopg ahela rivels, is route for magnifi
cent local railroad, terminating at Staun
ton. Danville has secured her splendid flu
ture in part from an investment of 500, coo
Owe believe it was no more), in the narrow
gauge railroad, Of which an outline ha'
been given.
Coming to the point: If the city of Staun
tor, helping all she is able to do, can have
the cooperation of the country this great
northwestern interior-in the proper plans
by which such line of railway can be
built, the course of action will be plain
enough; but if, after investigation, it is as
certained that it cannot be accomplished
then the end of the whole matter is reach
ed