The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-04
EIGHTY MILES An HOUR.
President Chauncsy N. Dspew Talks
About Railroad Travel In
the Future.
Fast Engines Encased In Steel
Covers and Drawing Cigar
Shaped Coaches.
Great Importance of Abolishing Grade
Crossings-Mr. Depew Givos Reinin-
sciences OF Fast Riding.

Especial Correspondence of THE INDEPENDENT.
There will soon be a revolution in the
speed of railroad trains in America. The
tendency of the times is towards more
rapid transit in travel, and the great rail
road corporations are going to keep Tin the
SWIM" Chauncey M. Depew. while not q
believer in fast trains owing to the sxces-
sivo danger in fast running, says that in
ton years express trains on American roads
will in all probability be making an average
Of sixty-ive miles an hour between the big
cities. This prediction is made with the
expectation of new Inventions, a number OF
which are now under consideration by the
Vanderbilt system officials. President De-
pew does not believe that the safety de-
tent and that with faster trains there will
be more danger. although many existing
deficiencies cnn be remedied.
1.-THE railroad of the future will be a truly
marvellous institution If we keep on improv-
ing for the next ten years as we have for
ton years past" said President Depew. 1t
will be an o%utgrowth Of the best conditions
now existing among the various railroads
of the world. To make the model railroad
We must drst look after the road bed. The
iron tie will come in the course of time it ia
more than probable, and the bed on which
it is laid will be made of stone to hold the
earth filling. Wherever there is liability of
a washout it will be constructed of solid
maxonry. By getting the road bed, first of
all in a perfect condition, using stone and
iron. in place of timber and rail. we lay the
first foundation for greater speed and for
greater safety. We consider the Dad beds
on the Vanderbilt system A No. l. but we
advance with the times. Curves and grades
will be done away with to a great extent
and wherever it is possible in tho railroad
of the future. To accomplish this existing
routes between stations will be changed
and IT necessary tunnels cut"
How about grade crossings as a proven
tive to speed and safety?"
Next to getting our perfect road bed
with tracks straight and level the grade
crossing is of vital Importance. 1t will
have to be abolished, N on the great
roads probably will be in the course OF a
few years more. When the grade crossings
go you raise the percentage Of safety to life
depressed through corporate limits. and
this will do away not only with the cross
lncs but with restrictions now laid by the
municipal corporations on the speed of rail
road trains. Rail Dads can be depressed
IN such a name that fast trains need not
check their speed in passing through the
towns. Take for example a train We are
now running on the Central between this
city and Albany. Last week train No. ID
ty.one miles on the Mohawk division in
twenty minutes. Inside of a year we can
run the new engine to Albany in two hours
II fo~rty-minutes, a distance of 14d miles.
You must take into consideration the slow
ing up in leaving the depot in this
city, the passage through the tun-
nsl and the shutting off the steam