Connecticut western news., 1888-06-20
4 DELIGHTFUL EXCURSION

The H. & c. w. railroad company did generous thing last Wednesday, one that was thoroughly appreciated by about 140 of their guests, who were given pleasant excursion to Pough- keepsie to view the massive steel struct- ure which will soon span the Hudson river at that point.
 A special train left Hartford at r. .45 a. m. On board were about 15 guests from Springfield and goodly number from Hartford Additions to the party were received at Simsbury, Collinsv1lle and New Hartford, and at West Winsted car was waiting filled with prominent citizens of Winsted with their ladies. Others joined the party at Norfolk, Canaan, Twin Lakes, Salisbury and Lakeville. At Rhinebeck the excursion cars were attached to the express train on the N. Y. O. & H. R. road. Pough- keepsie was reached at noon and nearly all the entire party proceeded directly to the Nelson House and dined, after which the whole party were taken in charge by Engineers Dickinson and Paine, Mir Baird and Mir Platt of the Bridge company, and shown the great bridge in every detail. The tug Susie and Q large scow were brought into ser vice and conveyed the visitors to and around the bridge. A landing was made on the west shore and many of tho party climbed the hill and walked out upon the bridge to the center of the river, where workmen were placing the pom derous steel beams in position which form the cantilever. The view from the bridge is magnificent beyond descrip- tion and extends for miles up and down the river, also eastward over the city of Poughkeepsie to the mountains many miles distant. After descending from the bridge the party enlarged again and were given Q sail down the river below the city to the lower landing, where they examined the stupendous masses of steel waiting to be put in place, and thus they gained another idea of the massive. ness of the structure. From there to Main street landing ended the sail, and taking seats in their special cars at g. 35 they bade adieu to their Poughkeepsie friends and were whlrled rapidly home. ward, the run to Rhinebeck being made in few minutes. Leaving Rhinebeck at 6 o'clock, Canaan was reached at 2. 40 and Hartford in time for the Spring | field members to take 9.30 train for home. The welfare of the excursion ists was looked after by Superintendent McNeill and General Passenger Agent Pearce and the train was in charge of Conductor Pollard. On the return trip 8 lunch of sandwiches and milk was served, which called forth further praise of the courtesies extended their guests
 by the railway officials.
 The Poughkeepsie Bridge has ofter
 been described in detail and it is use
 less for us to attempt it with the limited
 space at our disposal, but few figures
 may refresh the memory. There art
 four piers in the river. Each pier rests
 on solid foundation 14O feet below the
 surface of the water, and the piers rise
 30 feet above the water. The train.
 will run PIP feet above the water. From
 high water to the lower cord of tn, fixed spans is 130 feet, and the can't
 lever arms are 16O feet in the clea
 above high water. The piers are abou |, 800 feet apart, and five spans of tn,
 bridge reach across the river proper
 but with viaducts and approaches thi
 vast structure will be between four ant five miles long and will cost S5, ,OOO, ,O0O
 It is the largest railroad bridge in tn, world and is built entirely of steel, no
 wrought iron as many uppose I'm
 total length between the east and wes abutments is 6,767 feet and 3 inches The bridge is donble- tracked railwa, bridge with room for sidewalk or foo
 bridge on one side The bridge prope
 will be completed within 60 days ant
 could be completed in 30 days i necessary. It is one of the wonders o the world and is one Of the greates triumphs of engineering. It is 8 monu Sment or structure of strength, beaut, and usefulness, and will open direct al rail communication with New Englant } and the coal fields of Pennsylvania T' F quote the words of the Hartford Cour
 ant The New England and the Hart
 ford x Connecticut Western roads vii meet the bridge on this side, and whe1 ] 1t IS completed other roads will be sur, to meet 1t. Massachusetts will wait long time, however, before the interest that opposed the Connecticut Westerl in that state build new road through the Berkshire hills to Northampton, O , that vicinity ''