The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-11-24
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rails. over that pass, 5000 or 5000 feet
above the valley, and II 900 feet above
the sea. On reaching the top of the
mountain we found a double track tile
whole length of the pass, and all rooted
"yer by a. structure built of heavy tim
bers, made necessary by the heavy snow
fall of winter. Here a force of men is
kept constantly, the trains are carefully
looked over, and every brake and wheel
tested: if anything should give out on
that long down grade the result would
be rather serious. The air at this alti-
tude was very cold, although it was hot
at the foot of the grade: the cold must
be- something terrible in the winter.
tough on the men obliged to stay there,
The great shed of course prevented any
outlook from the summit of the pass,
ana the peaks lowered far above that,
but all the way down we had success
sion OF the most magnificent views of the
great range, near and far away. the
snow caps glistening on manv of
them. and with their rugged outlines
rising so majestically toward the sky,
Enchanting as was the outlook westward
during the ascent, that to the eastward on
the downward way far exceeded it,
valley after valley was opened out be-
fore our eyes, and we had occasional
gllmpses into sheer depths far below us
that made the passengers hold their
6reaths: words fail in attempting to de-
scribe the wonderful grandeur of such
an outlook. Nearing the foot of the
grade, we saw far below railroad
which apparently came from an exactly
opposite direction to that in which we
expected our train to go, but If it had
jumped the lails, would have landed on
that track: whether 1t would then be in
a condition to move along or not, need
not be isjussed here; but a lot of SER
pent like squirming was necessary be-
fore we did reach that track in a condi-
ton to use it at once, while right over
our heads, hundreds of feet above.
was the spot from which we looked
down. This great mountain wall is the
backbone of the continent, and big as
the country is, surely the backbone is
large enough propOrtioDately, and is al
so a tremendous obstacle for all the rail
roads wishing to pass it. From the foot
of the grade the route was down the val
ley OF small stream, out into broad
plain and across that to a junction with
the main line at Salida. This is lively
town of about 5000 people, having many
good business blocks of stone and brick.
and surrounded by a mesa country. not
much to look at, but famous for crops.
Just opposite the hotel was a bare hill
600 feet high, and well defined path to
the summit extended an invitation to
climb, which was accepted, and the fine
outlook over town and surrounding ooun-
try amply repaid us for the exertion; at
that altitude one does not climb far
without waiting for a new stock OF
breath. The mountains rise up steeply
all about the valley, which is OF consid-
cradle size, and form grand back
ground. Nearly 100 peaks over 10000
feet high are in sight, and most of them
not even named.
Taking the through train on the main
line we rush along past great rocky walls
full of queer shapes and soon the train
is flying through the famous ROYAL
Gorge, following the rushing stream, the
track, on shelf hewn out of the solid
rock, sometimes on one side, then on the
other of the stream. One bridge is hung
from the rocky wall overhead, as there
is no possible place for abutments. The
Denver and Rio Grande, and the Santa
Fee roads raced to get possession of this
canon route, but the track of the former
reached there first. 1t was a shame that
the company did not provide here also
an observation car, for TO see the great
soaring rocks, and to note all the won
derful shapes they assumed, it was nee
essary to crowd onto thezoar platforms.
The Royal Gorge is much shorter than
the Black Canon, but the walls are higher
and far more richly c0iored: without
this gorge the railway would be COM
PEELED to climb the mountain barrier.
1t produces a weird feeling, seated in
train flying through the heart of the
the way really only narrow
crack in the Wilderness of rocks,
one realizes then how far he is below the
level of the country.
A. G. SHERRY.
Vermont farmers are praying for more