The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-15
The PLANK RAILROAD.
Work on the Electric Line
From Jersey City to
Newark.
READY BY SPRING, 1898.
To Be Operated By Either the
Newark or Jersey City Com
panies OF Both-State-
ment of President
Thurston.
READY BY SPRING, 1899

Hardness on the part of the manufac-
turers of iron bridge work. the time worn
story of property owners demanding ex-
orbitant prices for land wanted for rail
DAD purposes, and several obstacles of a
lesser degree, have combined to retard
the progress of the elect rio railroad which
is to connect Newark and Jersey City by
way of the old Plank road.
In spite of everything. however, the
line will be completed some time next
spring. and then will begin a competition
between electricity and steam which will
result in lower fares than are at present
exacted from the hundreds OF New
arkers. besides people of the Orange s,
Harrison, KearneY and Arl ington, who
make daily trips to Jersey City and New
York.
PRESIDENT ~THURsToN's STATEMENT.
81 cannot say with any degree of GER
tainty in what month the road will be
put in operation" said Mr.. G. b. Thurs
ton, President of the Plan Road Com
pany, last week. but it will surely be
early next year. To do this, the COM
pany will have to put aside the obstacles
which now confront it, and it may yet be
necessary to change the proposed route of
the line east of the Hackenssck River.
The property on both sides Of the Plank
road from ii point near Marcy avenue to
West Side avenue, in Jersey City, is
owned by the estate of the late Alfred
Alderman, of which a Mrs. Vreeland is
the only heir. When ground WAS origi-
nally disposed of for the building of the
Plank road through this property it was
expressly stipulated that it should be
used for no other purpose, and that no
railroads should be constructed upon it..
| 'NhiG ia the nna thing which m a U onJJCo a
change in the route, but instead Of caus-
ing greater expense and making neces-
sary more buildings, as such changes
usually do, this VIII, II done, actually les
sen our expense the mou or building,
as the line will verge from the Plank
cross a block of property, which the com
pany recently purchased, on a diagonal
line to Clendenny avenue, which is the
old Browns Ferry Road; go through this
t~horoughtare In a straight line to Bergen
avenue, turn about one hundred feet
north. and theme through Bramhall ave-
nue. several blocks and connect with the
Greenville line, which is already equipped
and nearly ready for operation by elect
richly.
From there the cars can run to the
Harrison avenue line at Park street,
where it will join the Jersey City system,
should the original plank road route be
adhered to. On Wednesday and Thurs
day the machinery in the new power
house for the jersey City line was given
several highly satisfactory tests. The
plant is bounded by the National Docks
Railroad, Marsh and Fremont avenues
and Pike street, and covers about eight
acres of land"
PUSHING THE WORK.
Stanley Brothers, OF Newark, who
have the contract for the construction of
the roadbed and laying of the tracks, are
| nnShinn the rpnrR "A q rnni61u oo ooSuihJa
On the Newark end work is completed,
with the exception of a portion OF the
distance on ana near the river bridges
and the stretch above alluded to on the
Jersey City side. the laying of the track
is finished, From the end of the New
Jersey Traction ~Company's lines in this
city, as far east as where the Pennsylvania
Railroad branch known as the Waverly
& Passaic Railroad crosses the PLANK
road, The line is built on the old roadbed.
At that point, however. the tracks curve
TO the right and LETT and run upon a new
roRdbed on either side of the wagon way.
In this manner it continues to a point
east of a creek beyond the Hackensack
River. thus giving opportunity for the
making of better time by the cars because
of freedom from interference by the
| wagon traffic. After crossing the creek,
the middle of the road will again be
taken, as the blanks will be torn up and
stone pavement substituted, provided the
objection Of the Alderman estate is over
come.
From the conversation of an officer of
the company, however, it is believed that
no great effort will be made to conciliate
Mrs. Vreeland, as by making the pro-
posed diversion through Clendennv ave-
u the chief idea or avoiding hindrence
from the traffic of trucks and other
vehicles could better be followed out. AS
a matter of fact, the Jersey City and
Greenville Street Railway Company al
ready has a petition before the Jersey
City authorities for The use of the old
Browns Ferry Road. The Plank Roai
DIRECTORS. IL is said, want too many con-
cessions from the company, and demand,
among otner things. perpetual passes
over the line, electric lights in profusion,
and to have the cars stop wherever they
desire, regardless of the regular crossings
and stopping .places. 70 these PROPOSE
tions. however,, the company willsnot sub
NIT.
The electrical equipment will be Of the
overhead system, with side poles, and its
building will be commenced rs soon al
the entire roadhed is completed.
TO BE RON By OTHER COMPANIES.
No power station will be erected by the
company. NOR will 1t own the cars which
are to run over the line. for some time at
least. Negotiations will be opened with
the New Jersey Fraction Company, cen-
trolling the Newark lines, and with tie
Jersey City q GreenVille Company for the
supplying Of both OF these very necessary
adjpncts to the operation OF the road, aud
it is possible that contracts Will be made
with both for the use of power. If this is
done each will supply electricity to a
given point to be decided upon by electric
al experts watch will probably be to the
centre of one of the draw bridges. For
the use of cars the contract will probably
be awarded 20 the company making the
most advantageous terms, and through
trips will be made. connecting with the
local lines in either city.
The question of the fare to be charged
has not yet been decided upon. nor will it
be until the road is ready TO be u ii
operation and all contracts have been
90 mpleted. Then the officers land direct
ors of the Plank Road Company will
meet and Determine upon y rate to be
charged for q through trip and for shorter
distances.
II cannot say what the fare Will be.
saiu President Thuiston. when asked the
question, and would rather not say any
thing Iou that point until We have dis
cpssed II. 40. ! can not tell you whether