Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-28

to Vanceboro, and from Cumberland juno
ton to Waterville. Bangor to Mt. Desert
Ferry, Bath to Brunswick, and from Bruins
wick TO Lewiston. are laid With steel rails.
There has been laid in the track during the
past year about 1888 tons of steel. 1862 tons
of iron rails, l65, 543 new cross ties, and 81
900 yards of ballast put under it. New
bridges have been built during the past year
at Winslo~, of iron, two spans. 40 feet
each in length; a, Freeman's Creek, Lau-
renee Boom and Rolling Dam, wooden bridges
replaced bv iron.
Since 1870 l0l bridges of greater or less
importance have been built on this road.
Nearly one-half Of the total road mileage
in this State is nov under the control of the
Maine Central Railroad Company. and oper-
ated by them. and it is but just to say that
the powers with which the managers of this
road are invested, have not been abused to
the injury Of the business interests
of the State, but on the contrary
have been exercised With liberality ant
great discretion. for the establishing and
building up of new enterprises along their ex-
tended line, and have always given their in-
fuence in favor of developing the resources
Of the whole State The road i. managed to
the entire satisfaction of the public, and the
managers have secured the respect and conf
dence of all with whom they have business
relations. No accident has occurred to pas-
sengers or trains during the past year, but
some have occurred at road crossings In
most cases. Investigations have proved that
the railroad company were not at fault.
The completion of the bridge across the
river at St. John. n. B.. has added largely to
the business of this road. beside making a
railroad connection between Maine aud New
Brunswick. Many changes and improve
ments are in progress at the present time in
the bridges and tracks Of the Maine Central
road
Monson Railroad.
From the station of the Bangor & Piscata-
quis Railroad, Abbott, to Monson, six miles
Gauge, two fest.
This road is we'll and economically man
aged, and has been operated since its con-
struction, with eptire freedom from accident.
The bridges and culverts are in safe cond-
ton. The track is in good surface and align
ment, and rides we'll. The slate quarries at
Monsoon furnish large amount of freight,
and during the summer season the passenger
traffic is large and increasing from year to
year. An effort is now being made to extend
the road from Monson to Greenvile, at the
foot of Moosehead Lake. also from Abbott
to Skowhegan, The extension of this road,
as proposed. would shorten the distance be-
tween Moosehead Lake and Portland about
20 miles.
Norway Branch Railroad.
From station of Grand Trunk Railway, at
South Paris. to Norway, $40 miles.
The construction of this branch has proved
Of great advantage to the business interests
of the town of Norway and the surrounding
country. The road is in excellent condition
Orchard Beach Railroad.
From Boston & Maine at Old Orchard,
along the beach to the mouth of the Saco
river, 3 miles in length. This road is for the
summer visitors at Old Orchard, runs in close
proximity to the ocean. View from the cars
is unobstructed and interesting.
Ocean street Horse Railroad.
This road remains in about the same fair
condition as reported last year.
Portland Horse Railroad.
This road has been extended and greatly
improved during the past year, and is now in
good condition.
Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad.
From Portland, Me-, to Lunenburg, n. H..
/ miles, 81 miles in Maine The track of
this road was entirely relaid with steel rails
and ballasted in 1884; little remained to be
done in this direction during 1885. A new
truss bridge has been built over Shepar6's
river and the culverts along the road repaired
The iron bridge over the Saco river at Hiram
has been strengthened and repaired Two
pile bridges should be rebuilt at the crossings
of the Presumpscot river With the exception
OF these bridges, the commissioners say the
road is in very fair condition. No &C cdent
to trains or passengers have occurred during
the past year.
Portland & Rochester Railroad,
from Portland, Maine, to Rochester. New
Hampshire, 80 miles-49 $40 miles in Maine
The many changes and additions made upon
this road during the last three or four years.
are rapidly raising it to the conditions Of a
first class railroad, comparing very favorably
with most of the other railroads in the State.
The track is in good running order, and rides
remarkably well. One thousand seven hun
dred and eight tons of steel rails, and l9, O70
cedar cross-ties have been laid in the track
729 feet of new side track has been laid at
different points on the line, and 6, $3.50 feet of
side track relsid with old iron. Two new
truss bridges have been built. one at Crest
Brook, the other at Little River.
Portland, SacO & Portsmouth Railroad,
from Portland. Maine, to Portsmouth, n H..
81 miles-50 76-l00 miles in Maine. This
road is in excellent condition through its en-
tire length. The track is laid with steel rails,
and is in good surface and alignment. An
iron bridge has replaced . wooden one at
North Berwick station. Other bridges have
been repaired. This road now forms part
of the eastern division Of the Boston & Maine
and is operated BY that company.