The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-09-17
NEW HOPE RAILROAD.

Work on the New Hope extension of
the N. e. Penn. Railroad from Hartsville
station is progressing favorably. The
track is laid to the crossing of the Ne
shaminy, and most of the grading is done
throughout the rest Of the line. Several
bridges have yet to be built.
A representative of the Enterprise
went over portion of the line on Tues
day. He first struck 1t at what is known
as the changing Rocks" in Northamp-
ton township, on the farm of Thomas
Grant. To'this point the>road has come
from Huntsville station, following the
valley OF a stream that enters the Little
Neshaminy at Mearns' mill, then down
the east side of this Neshaminy to this
point. Here the stream turns square
across the valley and strikes the base of
perpendicular ha shale rock, then, max
ing horseshoe bend, goes off into the
valley again. This was the first difficult
work on the line, but was only question
of cost. First, the stream was changed,
q new channel cut across through heavi-
ly timbered white oak bottom, the trees
grubbed up, furnishing fine material for
Barton to work into the names. When
the stream was turned, then the bluff was
cut into, and the material from the cut
thrown into the old bed of the stream.
Thus the future traveller by rail will find
only a high embankment and then deem
cut; while the old hanging rocks will
partially remain, looking down into the
dry bed OF the old creek.
From this point it is but short dis
lance to the united Neshaminy, Just be-
low the forks" of the streams. Here an
iron bridge has been constructed. 1t has
seven piers and two abutments, built In
the best manner, the facing stone being
the white sandstone from Cummings
quarry. This makes eight spans or spaces.
so feet wide. The bridge is of iron or
steel, and what is known as the iron beam
bridge. Heavy plates of rolled iron 8
feet wide and 30 feet long, set up on edge,
form the spans OF this bridge. These are
bolted and braced together, and form,
when completed, what would resemble
two heavy plank set up on edge, and Sc
curely fastened together. Over each OF
these plank rests a rail OF the road.
There are eight of these spans, entirely
disconnected, 80 as to allow for expan-
sion and contraction. Each OF these sides.
80 feet long and feet high, weighs seven
tons. They are now all in place. and
men are at work finishing the bracing and
riveting and screwing up the bolts. The
track over the bridge is laid on heavy vel
low pine square cross ties, which rest on
the top Of the iron beams, and are fasten-
ed thereto, thus further strengthening the
bridge. 1t makes strong bridge. and
cheap, as there is much less metal therein
than the regular iron bridges. They are
used for short spans, and it is rare we see
an iron bridge with piers only 80 feet
apart. This bridge is but a few yards
above the county road bridge, and this
road, after leaving the county bridge,
passes under the eastern span of the rail
road bridge, then up the bank to the front
of John Kinks house.
Beyond the bridge the survey Of the
railroad was on and parallel with the
county road. The bed OF this has been
changed. 1t goes ON the north side of
the railroad to The station called Kirkdale.
then crosses over the track at grade to the
other side, and keeps on that side to the
foot Of the bill at Simon Brooks. Here
The road goes up the west side of Mill
creek, along steep, wooded hillside, the
rock very hard, dark coIored shale. Ia
this steep hill, on the property Of DIR. e.
w. Sackett, the stone Is being quarried
for the bridge walls further up the line.
At turn Of Mill creek the road crosses il.
The abutments and piers are up, and the
iron for the bridge will be brought as
soon as the track lie laid. just above this