The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-12-30
TO BE BROAD-GAUGED.
I he Baltimore and Lehigh to be
Greatly Improved.
NEW CONTRACT JUST MADE.

E'te Baltimore Forwarding and Rail-
road q mpRny Will DO the COnstruc-
tiOn Work. Beginning January ed,
Is93-TO BE Completed by Next July.
Baltimore Sun.
The Baltimore and Lehigh Railroad Com
pany has entered into a contract with the
Baltimore Forwarding and Railroad Com pany
for the operation of the Baltimore and Lehgii
road and the changing of its gauge from q
narrow to standard measure. The change
will take effect from January 2, 1893. All en-
ployes of the Baltimore and Lehigh are to re-
tain the positions they now hold until further
notice, but will become employees of the Balti-
more Forwarding and RAILROAD Company.
By this change the Forwarding and Rail-
road Company becomes construction con-
Germ for the improvementoft the Baltimore and
Lehigh 1t is to operate the road and to as
sumo all liabilities pending the construction.
The changing of the Baltimore and Lehigh
from narrow to standard gauge has been one
of the projects of the controlling stockholders
ever since the conception of the Belt Rail
road pro ect in and around Baltimore. The
Baltimore and Lehigh has a contract with the
Belt Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio for
an interchange of traffic on the completion
of the Belt Line. A close connection is made
between the baltimore and Lehigh and the
Belt Railroad above North avenue, and it was
always understood that the two roads will use
the same terminals i'll that vicinity.
To better enable the Baltimore and Lehigh
to carry out the terms of its contract agree
ment with the Belt and the Baltimore and
Ohio it is essential that its gauge should be
changed to conform to that of its connecting
lines. The road has been surveyed with this
end In view, and the improvements have been
under consideration for more than year.
Some work has alrea been done on the up
per end of the Baltimore and Lehigh In chang
lnggrades and providing cut-otfs.
The matter has now assumed definite shape
and under the control of the Rs<imore For
warding and Railroad Company arrangements
have been made for pushing the work. 1t
will be commenced as soon as the weather
permits, and it is said by those in control
that il will he completed and the entire b.
and l.. Road converted into standard and
gauge system by July l. This will enable it
to avail OF its terms of agreement with the
Belt Railroad about the time that the Belt
Company is ready for active operation. Mr..
John Henry Miller, who is L large stockhoid
er in the b. and L., is the president of the
Forwarding Company. and will have active
control of the Improvements and construc-
tion contemplated.
The Baltimore and Lehigh is cousolid:-
ton OF the old Maryland Central and the
York and Peach Bottom Roads 1t runs from
Baltimore to York, Pa, about seventy five
miles Mr.. William Gilmor is its president.
1t is estimated that the whole work of inn
provements, including terminals in Baltimore
and elsewhere along the line, will cost about
sl.50O0OO. The Baltimore and Lehigh is now
laid with standard ties its entire length
These will serve for the new rails that are to
be put down.
The Baltimore Forwarding aud Railroad
Company secured All extension of charter at
the last session of the Legislature. 1t has
authority to build and operate railroads in
Baltimore city and certain of the counties Of
the State