The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-09-04

Make Fun of Our Railroad.
A writer In the Delaware County
American thus describes under the
caption Of IAN Unique Railroadn the
Pomeroy n Newark Railroad: Away
back in war times number of citizens
OF Chester county and the State of
Delaware conceived the idea that arail-
road tapping the main line Of the Penn
sylvania Railroad at Pomeroy, and
then running southwark to Delaware
City, would be Of advantage to the
country, accordingly organized COM
pany and after many vicissitudes built
the road. Its SUCCESS was never startl-
ing, however, and about fifteen years
ago the Pennsylvania Railroad came
into control and now operates the road
as part Of the Philadelphia Division.
The part OF the foad running from
Newark to Delaware City has been
separated from the old road and is now
under the management of the p, w.
IL Is. The present title is the Pomeroy
and Newark Railroad, and as q road
1t Is doubtful if its counterpart can
be found In the whole State of Penn
sylvania.
The inventor OF the toboggan slides,
now 80 popular at seaside resorts, evil
IDENTIFY got his idea from the z. d N.
X. X. for it is as full OF twists and
kinks as skein of thread In the hands
of a two-year.old boy. Sixty-fonr
bridges and trestle works arc erected
In its twenty-six miles of length and
II crosses Stony Brook and White Clay
Creek with alarming frequency But
few OF the stations are telegraph ofil-
ces and single wire suffices for the
business Of the road, as no train orders
are issued and the train is never con-
sidered to be behind time unless It
misses an entire round-trip. The bal
last is anything that comes handy, and
stone. gravel and cinders seem to be
fayorite materials. The train service
is the most remarkable feature Of the
road, single crew doing all the work.
The train is known as linked train"
and it is mixed" with a vengeance,
consisting OF every variety Of rolling
stock known to present or past gener-
atoms.
The engine Is No. 6S, while the ten.
der is known as Extra" the original
one having got into disagreement
with one of the numerous trestle-
works a few weeks ago and got the
worst of the encounter. The single
passenger car is numbered 1922" but
how 1t got such high numeral is u
matter Of wonderment, as it is evil
IDENTIFY one Of the triginal cars of the
main line, being provided with the
iow-back seats OF a quarter OF a centu-
ry ago. A floor board partition di-
vides part on for the mail, baggage
aud express purposes, while the gen
tlemen who use cigars are privileged
to use this end of II, but oftener pro-
Ter to take an observation car" in the
shape of a gondola that is usually be-
tween tho engine aud passenger car.
The engine is provided with air
brakes, but the cars are checked up
with the wheels as iii the good old
days of our daddies.
The bell-fope communication be-
tween the cars and engine Is unknown
and all signals are given by the hand.
Amos Osborne Is the conductor, and
his duties are more numerous than
.buse uI 'rOoh-bah' i'll the "Allkauu.N
In addition to the work usually as
signed to his position, he acts as
tltlinmaster, express, baggage and
mail ugent, and at stations where no
agents are employed he attends to
duties OF that position also, and he
does everyone OF them well, being
courteous in assisting
young miss to alight or rolling out a
barrel OF watermelons. He seems 10
know every patron of the road, and is
ready to accede to all requests, even
to the extent OF waiting for lady to
pack her valise, or a gentleman to Sc
cure his Sunday supply OF cigars.
The many curves, OF course, makes
rough riding but tho road is kept in
good condition, while the bridges and
trestle work receives constant atten-
ton from skilled men.
The scenery along the line Is of the
most beautiful and diversified de-
embracing hill and dale, |
with beautiful wooded valleys and |
meandering streams, while fertile
farms stretch away as far as the eye |
can reach, just south of Green Lawn |
station the track takes the shape of |
double horseshoe or rather close re- |
semblance to copy book double pot |
hook. this odd shape being required to |
ubviate steep grade. The road does |
II fair passenger business, while its |
freight receipts are heavy, the well
known Acme lime stone quarries ship |
ping their immense product over the |
road. A ride over this road will be |
even TO, the professional |
and will give any one good |
tdea OIL what railroading was before
The war. Our representative would |
return his thanks To the tininmen for
the courtesies received during recent |
trip. their kindness even extending to |
loading him upon an engine and TAX
ng him nearly to Newark station, on
he p, ". " b.. the regular stopping
oluce of the train at Newark Centre a
mile away.