The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-09-08
WAVING THE TRACKS
OF the Terminal System and its
Convoniences.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Visits tho junction of the Terminal
Road and three Railroads in Ohio.
An Enjoyable and Profitable Tour
Yesterday Afternoon.

many other people yesterday afternoon
made the tour OF the Wheeling Bridge
and Terminal Railway Conpany's sys-
ten Of tracks. The trip was in charge
Of General Manager Eayrs, and Judge
Cochran and 8lr. Job Abbott, Of the
company, and Contractor D. N. Carey
assisted him to do the honors.
The primary object Of the trip was
to show the members Of the finance
committee Of the County Board that
there was an actual connection between
the Terminal tracks and the Wheeling
& Lake Erie track to Bowerston, Ohio.
Not only was this shown by looking ut
the junction, but it was demonstrated
all along the line by the sight OF w. &
L. Z. cars, laden with freight, which
had been transferred to the Terminal
road and was awaiting delivery to the
consignees or unloading by them.
A SLIGHT ACCIDENT.
The party walked out to the whita-
ker mill, where the company's engine,
the "Col. Bissell," was waiting, having
Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling car at
tached. The car was comfortably filed,
or would have been had not a number
OF the passengers preferred 10 ride on
platforms, SO as to secure better oppor-
tunities OF observation. The car was
run down through the Chapline hill
tunnel, nearly hall a mile long, which
was greatly admired by those who had
not seen it before. The track was then
gone over TO the point at which con-
nection will be made with the Ohio
River road and the Pewiky extension,
and with the Baltimore K Ohio tracks,
south Of the mouth Of CaldwelPs run.
In crossing Eof street at Twenty
ninth the ventilator pipe OF the car
struck the trolley wire OF the electrical
railway, knocking it loose from the
cross wire. This delayed the expedi-
ton minute or two, and on its return
men were engaged in repairing the
break and another brief stop was neces-
sary. This was all the feature to mar
the trip from beginning to end.
THE OVERLOOKING TOWERS.
Most OF the members OF tho party got
off at the southern terminus and walked
down over the hundred feet or so be-
tween the Terminal tracks and the con-
nection with the River road. All were
much interested in the interlocking
switch system. At the connection with
the River road is a two-story tower
which will operate the switches con-
Meeting with the three roads. These
switches are 50 constructed that one
switch lever cannot be worked without
locking the other. This makes it i'm
possible to open two tracks at once and
makes a collision on the system almost
impossible.
At the south portal Of the tunnel is n
similar tower of one story SO as to en-
able the operator TO see through the
tunnel. From here the switches south
and north and also the signals are
worked. AT the south end Of the bridge
over the creek is third tower, visible
from the one south OF tho tunnel, and
this will work all the switches in the
yard north Of the creek. These towers
are different from any switch towers in
this vicinity, and BY their use the sys.
TEN OF tracks is as thoroughly under
control as II all in view OF one man.
The southernmost and northernmost
towers, 10 make the connection still
more intermediate, have IN electric
contrivnnce which makes what is done
in one apparent instantly in the other.
OVER THE SYSTEM.
After returning through the tunnel
the car was run around past the Whita-
ker mill, the works Of the Corrugating
company, Reymann's brewery, and on
up the creek nearly to the bridge over
tile creek at the portal OF the Mount
Wood tunnel. Hero the car was re-
versed and run back over the switch
which connects with the i. & o. road
east Of the Hempfeld tunnel. Col.
O'Brien stated that the ground for this
track cost over $4,000, and Mr.. Carey
said the grading cost $4,000.
The train was blocked near the end OF
this track by another train load OF Ohio
stone for Paige, Carey & Co., to DO used
in the Main street bridge. The party
saw enough OF this stone TO Gil hum
dred cars, and it was matter OF sur
prise to most OF them that SO much
HLOllG WIS HetuSu lOl LuC pllhSCs 4hO
contractors receive on an average TWEEN
~ car loads day.
All disembarked to inspect the very
complete and convenient round house
OF the company on the peninsula. 1t
has now four stalls, but is designed to
be extended around the circle until it
will accommodate tWenty-four engines.
This will be used for the Terminal Com
pany's own engines, while house for
passenger engines OF other roads has
been begun in East Wheeling.
IN MARTINS FERRY.
A quick run was made through the
two North Wheeling tunnels and over
the bridge. In Martins Ferry the
switch to the lot where Mr.. Reymann
is to build his store house was pointed
out, and the fine steel bridges over sew
erul streets were much admired. The
evident prosperity and signs Of growth
in Martins Ferry we're generally noted
and commented on.
At the station, just completed, the
passengers disembarked, President
Cochran, or somebody else, Burglar
isedn tho building, and all went in and
admired the convenient, tasty and
roomy "depot'-which the railroad
men kept insisting was not q depot, but
station. A depot is a freight ware
house. A neat freight house adioins
the passenger station. The company
has here ample room for six additional
tracks, lying right next street which
is about to be opened through.
Tho track from here to its junction
with the Cleveland & Pittsburgh road
is lilo MI tho wnrl, done by the Tnrmi.