Telegram-herald., 1890-03-02
Transit systen for Which Grand Rapids
ManafactureFs Claim Some Credit.

hanafactufers Claim Some Sredll'
The TELEGRAM HERALD copies the
following from recent issue or the
Sioux City Journal, which wlll be read
with more interest, perhaps, on account
OF the fact that the machinery and
IRON work, for the plant mentioned,
was built IN our own city:
Prom the lst OF June until the lst
OF November, the first five months OF
operating the cable railway, the ex-
penses were $500 ana the receipts Sl4,-
$500. In other words, the expenses
have been $50 per day and the receipts
$3.50 per day, showing a net revenue
OF $3.50 per day. 1t Is most remark
able showing for new street railway,
and a wonderful result when taken
INTO consideration with the fact that
the line penetrates a new and as yet
sparsely settled additions. The figures
OF us business show 1t 10 be as complete
success financially rs II has proven 10
be IN mechanical construction.
"The constructive work of the cable
line on JacksOn-st. began on the 20th of
August, 1888, and the machinery and
track were tested on the 2Sth of May,
1889. Cars have been running from
eighteen TO twenty hours per day ever
since the S0th of May, and it speaks
volumes for the perfection of the system
when the statement is made that the
repairs OF the entire plant up TO this
time have not amounted to S.. So far
as any history of the operation of a
cable railway goes, ii IS said by its
patentee and builder, William Phoenix,
to be the only one that has operated so
long without a strand of the 22,27l feet
OF cable breaking or becoming out of
repair. There are 752 carnage wheels
on the line of the road, and It is an un-
precedented circumstance that no
breakage has occurred or readiusment
been found necessary. There are ten
automatic switches in use and not one
OF them has once failed to work. The
roadbed construction is so firm that
neither chisel nor wedge has been used
TO move the slot. 1t has held its place
as firmly as rock. 1t is a remark
able circumstance where the climatic
changes are so sudden. The coaches
roll along with almost noiseless motion,
and the two miles of cable and three
trains have been moved with twenty
hve pounds of steam pressure, which
again gives evidence of the perfection
or machinery and roadbed.
"Othcr single track cable lines have
proven failures. One was built at Los
Angeles, CAL, and one at New Zealand,
but they were pronounced failures and
were removed. Mr.. Phoenix built his
first single track cable road at Grand
Rapids, Mich, two years ago, and il is
IN operation still and giving complete
satisfaction.
The power-house situated on Twenty
ninth-st., contains sufficient machinery
to operate twenty-five miles of railway
By the 10Th of this month, one and a.
half miles more of track, stretching
from Twenty-uinth 10 Fortieth-st.,
where the Jackson-st. line terminates
IN Central Park, is expected to be IN
operation. Everything Is in readiness
on this extension, except the surface
foundation at the park. A heavy fill !
OF earth was necessary at that point, |
and wait has been made to give the |
earth time TO settle before the conduit |
and track are laid. The additional |
cable IS ready TO line. and the addi- |
tonal rolling stock is IN the car-house. /
'The plant up 10 date has cost the !
company 1882 coo, and the building of /
the system has but fairly begun. Its |
franchise extends over many miles of |
streets, and this year II will branch out |
toward the eastern part Of the city"
"Messrs. VIM. F. Powers & Son. pro-
prietors OF the Michigan Iron Works,
who furnished the machinery and iron |
work for the Sioux City plant, built all /
the machinery IN the Valley City Cable
Railway plant in this city, and are now
building the machinery for the new
plant Of the Valley City Cable Railway
Company for their south lines. This
latter plant will be built from original
designs made by Messrs Powers & SON,
and they intend that it will be unsur-
passed by any similar sized plant in
this country. Willard Curtlss, the
of the Michigan Iron
Works, under whose personal superin-
tendence this work Is being done, is
thorough mechanic and a man OF
abundant experience IN all kinds of
railway construction. This together
with the mechanical experience and en-
terprise Of the proprietors. who intend
to make this class of work a speciality,
insuTes 10 n marked degree the success
which the undertaking deserves. and 1t
adds 10 the reputation of our city az
town.