The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-29
BELT-LINE ROAD.
Trial Trip of the First Freight
Locomotive.
One Section Of Track Completed Of the Line
Which Will Bind Together the Com
merce Of the Port.

The belt-line of railroad, which will run
around the docks of this city, will soon be
in partial working order When the system
is completed 1t will stretch around the entire
extent of the harbor, but 1t will be some
years before the entire plans proposed will
be realized, as it will take some time to
build some portions of the sea-wall which
1t will traverse.
The first section was completed yesterday,
and stretches from Francisco street to
Broadway. Yesterday WAS the time by
which the contractors had to finish the
work, and they promptly notified the Har-
Dor Commissioners Of the fulfiilment of their
part of the contract. The Commissioners,
in anticipation Of the completion of the
work on time, had ordered from the Bald
win works of Philadelphia one of the finest
locomotives for hauling freight that could
be made.
THE BEST OF HER CLASS.
The engine arrived some days ago, and
has been at the Southern Pacific yards,
where the trainmen declared, after num-
Der of trials, that it is the best locomotive
of its class in the yard. Yesterday, about
! o'clock, the locomotive was conveyed
from the railroad yard by the steamer
Uklah to the Lombard-street Wharf, where
an apron has been built The engine was
rolled smoothly from the Ukiah to the
wharf, and then to the main liue Of the
track.
Chief Engineer Marsden Manson of the
Harbor Commissioners, Commissioners
Alexander. Brown and Bassett, SGperin-
tendent of Repairs c. J. Titus, Assistant
Engineer MarIton Campbell and many 9TH
ers boarded the locomotive, which Is q
saddIe-tank locomotive, weighing 5S tons
and capable of drawing IS heavily loade
* Ia m r
ance, and has been christened the Governor
Markham, which name is painted In large
gold letters over the tenders.
GsEETED WITH CHEERS
Superintendent Titus took the part of
engineer, while Marston Campbell assumed
the role of fireman. Steam was gotten up,
the throttle was pulled, and slowly the first
locomotive of the belt-line departed to-
ward Francisco street, gradually gaining in
speed, but at no time making any railroad
rate, owing to the tracks being ewly built
and untried. The locomotive was found to
work well, as it had been oiled and put in
condition in the railroad yards.
The tracks. no viewer, were found In places
alittle stiff, especially around the curves.
People along the water front stopped and
gaZed In astOnisbment at the massive en-
CINE as it rolled with a roar along the
tracks, the great bell being heard for bio ks
away. A large crowd was attracted by the
sight and lined both sides of the track. and
when the Governor Markham reached the
Broadway terminus cheers went up which
rent the air for blocks around.
PLEASED WITH THE SUCCESS.
Everybody participating in the trial Of the
road and the locomotive was pleased with
the success which both exhibited 1t will
be about one month before the section will
be opened for regular traffic, As there is a
number of details to be attended to before
the freight cars can be transferred.