The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-01-28
RAILROAD RUMHL1Nas.
Prosperity May Lead the Reading
to Many New ImproYements.

Prosperity May Lead the Reading
to Many New improvements.
The Shamokin Herald says that surveys
have been made to find if it would b
cheaper to double track the Shsmokin,
Suubury & Lewisburg Railroad, or the
Ctt4 wissa branch of the Reading. Th
part of the Cattwissa road to take into
consideration is between East Mahanoy |
junction and West Milton, distance
sixty-fve miles. The work wou d require |
lhe enlargins of two large tunnels and con-
siderable trestle work # the most Intricate |
kind. The Shamokin, Sunbury q Lew
isburg is thirty-three miles long, Is
terminus being West Milton. Fifteen and |
a halt miles of this road have been double |
trscket-lrom Shamokin to SDydertown |
and from We Milton to Lewi-burg. BY |
building the S uthern Central from
Clement to Harrisburg and using the
Catawissa branch from Newberry junction
TO West Mutton, the Sham Oldn, Sunbufy
81 Lswisburg would be used to Clemeut,
opposite Sunbury and the Susqur hanna
river. AT this point the Southern Central
through lovely country would be made 10
Harrisburg at which place connections
would be made with the Lebanon Valley
road through TO +, adiDg where the main
line of the Reading ROAD once more would
be iOinei. The new route would shorten
the time on soft coal or any kind OF through
freight from seven to ten hours between
Newberry and PhiladelI hia, distance OF
pa miles, The proposed new route Is 2l2
miles, but heavy grade would not be en-
Countered, MS well as sharp curves, as at
present between Sunbury and Port Cuntor,
La fact, the new road will have light and
easy grades throughout, and when the lir
is in operation there will be fast runs. BY
using the Southern Cenlral all soft coal and
freight now passing through here will cease.
THIS will be benefit to thousands OF in
habitants living between Shamokin ana
PottsvIlle. twill give the miners more
work, us the breakers will be in more con
stant operation. The freight and 20 Goa
shippDgs have proved important factors In
taking up much Of the roads time, Maha-
noy and Gordon planes often being over
taxed, and at these periods orders would
be issued TO cease work at the mines. All
this Will of course be avoided OF ce the new
road is built and anthracite coal will have
the right of way from Shamokin clean
down to Philadelphia. THIS important
news will be received with Joy by the army
of miners in this region, and all trust that
the WORK of building will now commence,
since the surveys have already been COM
peted.
The coal trade Of the Reading Railroad
company promises to be more brisk this
year than at any previous time in the his
tory OF the company. They own one hall
the coal in the mines of the anthracite
region and with unsurpassed facilities for
] distribution will not submit to the present
allotment. Just what will retult, the year
will show, but it will undoubtedly be
satisfactory to tne stockholders.
The signal bell in the engineers cab will
soon disappear. The air train signal is to
| take its place. II is worked by small rub
Der tube or iron tube running underneath
the coaches. This connects with an iron
whistle in the cab. The conductor op-
crates the signals. This device is expected
to work on the longest trains and will head
off train robb-rs who have been in the
habit Of cutting cords TO prevent com
municauon with the engineer while rob-
bing passengers or lootiDg express pack
ages.
A monster engine has lately been con-
ructed tor the Lehigh Valley railroad
passenger service. The cab sets over tie
centre of the boiler, the whistle being
back of the engineer, almost over the fire
box. Hard coal is used The fireman has
no protection from the weather while work
ing, although he may at times occupy the
left side OF the cab. The headlight is hung
over tweIve teet from the ground.
President Mcleod has decided to have
all the Phlla elphia and Reading passenger
coaches reprinted The color decided
upon will be similar to the Pullman parloI
cars, dark brown or plum. IL will take
three years to do the work 1t is the pur-
| pose OF the company To use the shops at
Cnta a issa, Trenton junction and the Phlla
delpbia and Reading roundhouse at Road.
ing for he purpose The lettering of the
cars will be in gold and it will reqlire
ABOUT twenty-five books for each car. /,
will be necessary to scrape every car before
the color is applied. All the shops, il IS
unde rstood, will be open on Monday next
Those cars which are in need OF painting
now, will be the first to be taken to th
shop, while the others will be continued N
selvice