Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-29

Seventh street is the next place where the
railroad is passable for teams and even this
is such a crossing that horses find it difficult to
draw a vehicle from the south side of the
track. This street leads to the deaf mute col
lege at Kendall Green. To pass over the track
pedestrians and vehicles have to ascend the
steep embankment on one side and descend on
the other. For pedestrians there are wooden
steps. Just beyond this crossing X street and
the railroad tracks meet. The railroad tracks
continue on their way to the country, but X
street ceases to exist as thoroughfare. Next
comes l. street, but before it reaches the tracks
1t is lost in the commons, and the next and last
crossing within the city limits are NJ street and
the Boundary. These crossings are on grade
and protected by gates, but the rough and
muddy roads render it possible for heavy vehi-
Giles to get stalled there and meet with an acct
dent before the engineer of an approaching
train could be notified of the danger.
THE METROPOLITAN BRANCH.
On the Metropolitan Branch after leaving @
street the tracks which run along LIST street are
continually used as storage tracks for freight
cars. The number Of cars left standing on
these tracks often renders it extremely difficult
for even the Waterman to discover train until
1t il within a short distance of H street. This
crossing Is especially dangerous after the gate
man goes of duty at night, for then there is
nothing to warn persons approaching the
tracks OF the danger ahead and often on &C.
count Of the long lines of cars standing
on the tracks the moving train cannot be
seen until 1t dashes over the crossing.
One-half square north is the ''Y'' or the track
connecting the Washington and Metropolitan
branches. The eastern terminus OF the ''Y''
Is not far from I'd street bridge on the WASH
ington branch. The track circles from that
point to point on the Metropolitan branch
almost opposite the eastern end of Myrtle
street. Where this dangerous track crosses the
sidewalk IT Is less than six feet from the porch
OF the nearest house.
The street crossing is not travelled over 80
much because of the mean condition of the
street, due to the ~" and the Washington
branch track, which is below grade.
Going north from the .'Y' the next crossing
on the Metropolitan Branch is at h street This
Is much-traveled crossing and is directly on
the grade OF the street. One square further
and there is another grade crossing at L street,
This street has recently been graded through
to the eastern part of the city and is not at
present travelled much on account of its rough
surface. At NJ street there is another grade
crossing, which is protected by gates. Then
is filled up to about where the grade ought to
be. until New York avenue and Boundary
crossings are reached. These have proven
dangerous, one accident resulting in death, aud
injury having occurred there more than once.
NEAR LONG BRIDGE.
When tho trains ron into the city OF the
Long bridge there is danger in every revolu-
ton Of the wheels, and as the faithful old
gateman at 18th street said to a STAR reporter
''Dere vos some peoples sometimes vot looks
like dey wants der veels mid der drains to rund
ober dem purity gwick rigid away" Right in
this immediate locality there is hitler or no
protection. From the Long bridge to 11th
street there Is a perfect network Of tracks,
switches, &C., and there being no fencing and
only very low curbing. makes it very dangerous.
The building Of the freight depot and engine
house Of the Richmond and Danviile Railroad
between 18th and 14th streets and MARYLAND
avenue and Water streets only adds to the
danger, as IL makes additional crossings and
| constant switching Of trains. Hundreds oil
carts and wagons cross daily hauling from the
wood, coal, oil and lumber yards. All along
Maryland avenue there is absolutely no pro
lection save the gates at the crossings. The
Bets Line Ut street cars cross at 11th street
HE tracks are above grade two feet