The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-24

ABSOLUTELY PURE

upon two districts Of two divisions TO adapt the
motive power to the grades 20 a. not to d.
minish the length Of any trsnscontinental
trains that can % hauled over the minimum
grades BY standard engines.
The examination Of che Idaho division showed
that between Hope and Spokane, distance Of
eighty-f miles, IL 10 practicable to obtain .
maximum grade Of 264 feat to the mile, and
that by the use OF assistant engines between
Spokane and Cheney west-bound, and out of
Sprague for short distance east-bouud, the
length Of the trains hauled BY standard en-
gines could b increased from seventeen to
thirty cars The most difficult point between
Hope and Spokane il that on either side of the
station known - Granie1, thirsy-nine miles
west OF Hope Here the line a. originally To-
Gated made long detour to the east aud then
turned again to the southwest The alignment
was very bad, aud for the greater portion of the
distance was constructed with maximum grades
OF 81 3 feet to the mile. which, being only par
italy or not ~ all e0uated for curvature. caused
greater resistance than IL indicased by the
nominal rate. For some reason considerable
portion OF this line was constructed upon
wooden tresties which varied In height from
ten to seventy-two feet, the aggregate length of
which was 4,ls9 feet. In 1891 these bridges had
become SO dilapidated and insecure that it was
necessary to rebuild them or to change the line.
The rails were also badly worn and there was .
large percentage Of tie renewals necessary. It
was determined to make change Of line in
preference to expending very considerable
sum Of money required for the psrpetuaton Of
An exceedingly bad and insecure location.
After a thorough examination line WAS found
which diverged to the west instead of 10 the
east, in the Of the old line 20 that at one
point the new location was three aud three
quarters of . miles westerly from the con.
structed line
At the same time another amendment
of the main line was made for the same
reason at Algoma, twenty-five miles west
of Hope, which had many advantages.
though it increases the distance from T. 70
miles on the old to Sos miles on the new
line. OF this Mr.. Kendrick says:
This amendment necessitated the construction
OF five miles OF new line. The old line was con.
structed with grades of SIS feet to the mile un-
eQuated for curvature. 1t contained 5,244 liueal
feet of timber trestle, varying in height from
to 80 feet The new line was built upon grades
OF 264 feet per mile, eQuated for curvature, and
no bridging was necessary, the only waterways
constructed being . 12-foot arch culvert and
seven cast iron pipe culverts.
In conclusion Mr.. Kendrick says:
In conclusion it may be stated that the
changes in line at Algoma and Granite cost the
sum OF $2l2. 1A II they had not been made IL
would have been necessary to renew all the pile
and trestle bridges and . great portion of the
track ct An aggregate expense Of $4,000 Con-
sidering the cost OF the work and the very
decided improvement of the line at both places,
and especially in the light Of the practicability
OF reducing the grades upon the entire division
to maximum Of 264 feet per mile, with the re-
suit of increasing the efficiency of all engines 70
per cent. 1t is obvious that failure TO amend
the line instead Of making renewals upon the
old and improperly located routes would have
been piece of reckless extravaganca