The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-20
BIZ RAIL TO THE WHIRLPOOL.
The Plans for the Railroad to Skirt Niagara
River.


Buffalo Express.
For a good many years one scheme and an
other has been preached for making more &C
cessible the wild and romantic passage of the
Niagara between the upper whirlpool rapids and
the end Of the long and interesting gorge
which terminates at Lewiston. A portion or
this lower gorge was opened to the eye of the
tourist when the New York Central built its
line to Lewiston. The road bed for some distance
is shelf cut in the face of the cliff, high above
the water. But the glimpses from this line are
at the best distant and feeting. When steps were
reservation at Niagara, it was proposed
to include the American side as far as
the whirlpool. The project was abandoned on
account of the cost of securing so much terri
tory. When on visit to Niagara with the park
commissioners, Governor Hill expressed the
opinion that it would be we'll could the reserva-
ton extend to and include the whirlpool. At
this time the feasibility of constructing good
footpath along the base of the American cliff as
far as the whirlpool was discussed. Thus it will
be seen that the project of making the whirlpool
and adjacent parts of the river accessible to the
public is not wholly new or original with the
promoters of the present enterprise
Mr. Benjamin Fenton and Mr. Ensign Ben
nett, of this city. are understood to be the orig
inators of the scheme for building narrow
gauge railway along the waters edge between
the falls and the whirlpool. The confidence and
cash of a number Of gentlemen were speedily
enlisted. and on Jan. last the Niagara Falls 81
Whirlpool Railway Company was incorporated.
The capital stock of the company is 800, 900, in
shares of 500 each. The stock is all TAKEN and
it is expected that construction will begin as
soon as right of way is secured This, it is
hoped, will be effected within q few weeks at the
furthest.
The original plan was to build the road from a
point as near the foot of the inclined railway as
possible to point just below the whirlpool a
distance of nearly three miles. But the road
will not be allowed to build on lands of the
State reservation. 1t will, therefore, commence
at the reservation boundary. It's station will be
situated under the bank Of Prospect Park, a
short distance above the upper suspension
bridge The tourist will have to make short
walk from the foot of the inclined rail
the base Of the cliff, just high enough above
hiah-water mark to be secure. The base of the
cliff for long distance down. stream Is covered
by slope of detritus along which, it 10 said, a
road bed may be easily constructed. One truss
bridge and trestle bridges over five mill races
are required. Further down stream, between
the railway bridges and the whirlpool, an
open cut of perhaps one thousand feet
will be made; and near the whirlpool q
short trestle bridge is required 1t is said
the rock-cutting will be no more difficult than
was much similar work on the West Shore along
the Hudson. There will be no tunnels for the
object is to build a road which will reveal the
river at every point traversed. Debris and
DlaSC6d rOcKS Will remove themselves Dy
bling into the river. Protecting walls will be
built here and there The cost of construction
aside from right of way. is estimated at 800 000
The gauge will be between thirty and forty 1.-TWO
inches.
AS usual in such cases, the land desired has
suddenly become of great value to the owners,
though it is stated to have been so little thought
of heretofore that most Of it was untaxed. The
engineers plans call for width of two rods on
the left or river side of the center ine and four
rods on the right The cars will probably be
built with seats facing the river, since the
scenery along the route is all on side of the
track. 1t is picturesque ride from the upper
suspension bridge to the railway bridges but
from that point to the whirlpool the scenery is
wild and romantic and has thus far been acces-
sible only at one or two points. The proposed
terminus of the road is under the cliff which
skirts the De Veaux College grounds, opposite
the outlet Of the whirlpool. The feasibility of
extending the line down the river, perhaps to
Lewiston, or even to the beautiful union of
Niagara and Lake Ontario, is already considered,
and the plan may some day be carried out The
motive power for the road will probably be cleo
tricity. The vast water power of the river will
probably be utilized, whatever form of motor is
adopted. The Legislature has authorized the
company to charge not over 10 cents a mile, or
80 cents a round trip.