Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-19

must as a consequence add greatly to tht
prosperity and increased valuation of the
State.
New Railroads and Extensions.
The report of new railroads and extern
sions states that the Ashland branch of
the Bangor & Aroostook r. r., has been
constructed about forty three miles to the
village of Ashland, in the same county.
The construction was commenced early in
the spring and pushed with a great deal
of energy so that, In all probability, the
line will be opened to Ashland early in
the month of January. The work has
been we'll done AS the line runs through
very fertile country, perhaps as fertile
as any in the State of Maine, with quite
number of industries already estab-
lished on the line it promises to be very
profitable feeder to the main line.
The line of the Ba pgor and Aroostook
Railroad from Houlton through Presque
Isle to Caribou, distance of little over
sixty miles, with branch from Fort
Fairfield Junction, near Presque Isle, to
Fort Fairfield, IS miles, has been opened
for traffic during the year. The road is
we'll built in all respects
The Patten & Sherman r. r. has
built six miles and the Rumford Falls &
Rangeley Lakes r. R., IS miles.
The Sebasticook & Moosehead, Wash
ington County, and Wiscasset & Quebec,
have constructed or will construct add
tionsl road.
The new street railways are the Ban
gor Orono and Old Town; Bangor Street
R. r. extension; Norway & Paris; Port
land & Cape Elizabeth, and Cape Eliza
beth Somerset Traction Company.
Inspection; Physical Conditions.
The board after due inspection is
pleased to report that all the railroads of
the State are improved in their condition
OfCI iuou y Cui- IL Anbu, uil VI VIZ Io0uS
seem to have an established plan of i'm
provements that have only been retarded
in some instances by falling off in their
but in every instance something
has been done As will be seen by the fol-
lowing statement of the condition of each
railroad and its rolling stock. All are in
a very satisfactory condition and abun-
dainty safe to carry all the traffic put
upon Them
The report shows the Bangor & ARGOS
took to be in excellent condition. The
bridges are strong and gradients and
alignment favorable to a high rate of
speed, and the moving of heavy trains.
The motive power is first-class, large
part new from among the best makers in
the country. The station buildings on
the old lines are kept in good repair on
the new they are we'll designed and
models Of convenience and comfort
The traffic that has been developed on
this line seems almost phenomenal, ex
ceeding the estimates or expectations of
the most sanguine of its promoters and
from the standpoint OF today, it looks as
If the traffic would still largely increase.
The Boston & Maine has done much
good work, on its different sections, and
Is in its usual first class condition. The
western division has had many new rails
laid, with additions. The Eastern Divi-
sion is much improved over last year.
The traffic over it is heavy, but the line is
we'll cared for, and rides as well as any in
the country.
The rolling stock of the Boston and
Maine Railroad is first class in every
respect.
The Maine Central system, as is well
known, now embraces nearly one half of
the steam railroad mileage of the State,
and during the year has well maintained
its reputation for first class work.
The road bed and track of this railroad
from Portland to Vanceboro, and from
Cumberland junction, via Lewiston, to
Waterville, are In all respects in excellent
condition. On the Mountain Division so
much of the road bed and track as lies
within the State is in good condition in
ell respects and the same may be said of
the line from Bath to Lewiston and from
Crowleys junction to Pennington. The
road bed and track of the branch lies from
waterville to Skowhegan, from Burnham
to Belfast and from Newport Junction to
Foxcroft are maintained in good condi-
ton. From Bangor to Mount Desert
Ferry the road bed and track are well
cared for The rails, though of light
weight, are of excellent quality and wear
we'll. The branch from Brewer to Bucks
port is In good condit ion for the busi-
ness thereon. On the Knox & lincoln
division, the improvements mentioned in
our last report have been continued and
the road bed and track are being brought
into first class condition.
Twenty-seven miles of the system are
now double tracked, viz: Portland to