The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-20


senrer equipment disappeared. and new
palace-cars were offered 10 the travel
ling public as II 10y magic. New loco
motives were built on the latest princi-
MES. and under specifications even IN
advance OF the usual practice on the pest
roads. and were pm; TO handling cnof-
NOUS trims OF freight, carried on new
cars o. the greatest known capacity,
equipped with all improvements. includ-
.ng automatic conplers and air-brakes
then a novelty In freight equipment. in
All but two or three railroads IN the
United States. Nearly every bridge on
me road was renewed by the heaviest
iron structures. one OF these biioses-
that over the fsig Sandy river--cost near
Nv half n million OF dollars. Tunnels
were archcd ana made secure. Nearly
one hundred miles of road was double
tracked New branches were built,
penetrating the coal iron. ana timber
districts adjacent 10 the main line. miles
after miles OF new tracks were added,
water stations and depot buildings were
erected at frequent intervals over the
whole system. Decayed tresues and
ties ard timber everywhere gave way TO
thorough renewal The trcstles them
selves disappeared. and heavy embank-
ments were substituted I'm their place
The old, ragged. worn-out, light rail
gave place on the whole line 10 heavy
steel, the standard rail now being 100
pounds per yard against IS and 90
pounds per yard when the reorganization
was effected. The Inadequate facilities
ut Newport News have given place to n
magnificent system Of wharvcs and
docks. ono Of the most complete and
serNiceabc known in the country. Com
modorc Maury's dream OF steamship
line from Hampton Roads 10 European
ports has been realized, and six great
h attI nrs
make trips between Newport News and
English ports, with all the regularity
that attends the passenger service o.
the railway. The struggling concern OF
a few years ago has become a great
trunk line. and one Of the splendid rail-
ways OF the world.
Changes so vast and beneficial have
brought about like improvements in the
morale of the forces operating the road
II Is probably true that on no other
system In the United States Is there such
devotion TO tho interests of the employers
as exists among the operatives OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio system. The ef-
fects are shown IN the service; strikes
and troubles between them and
the management are absolutely
unknown The patronage OF the
drinking saloon" has giyer place 10
the patronage of Y. NJ. {. A. build
ings the roughs in the train service
have sought other climes. and all that
class OF accidents due TO the careless
ness or inefiiciency of men have become
As rare dcraiments caused by bad
track and defective cars.
This is a brief recital of vast work
that has been accomplished. In its per-
Torrance. millions upon millions OF new
money have been expended in these few
years.
THE NEW PASSENGER DEPOT
There is no place on the Chesapeake
and Ohio line OF connected with its sys-
TEN that stands in equal importance with
Richmond. IL. moreover. occupies first
place in the feeling and estimation of the
owners Of the property. from the begin
hing, II has been contemplated TO cap
this mountain of improvements that has
been undertaken and accomplished with
hitting work in the city OF Richmond.
80 very early in the history OF the re-
cent management. as far back 1883, IN
structions were given 10 investigate all
possible plans for connecting the differ
cnt divisions or lines of railway and
also for tae selection OF some suitable
location for a large passenger station
and train-shed and building Tor the gen
eral Offices CT the company a structure
that would be worthy. not only Of Rich
mOnd, but also, in harmony with the
vast system and interests connected with
the Chesapeake and Ohio. and one that
the people Of the city, as well as the
owners, officers. and employees OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio. will be not only
satisfied with, hyt proud OF. In carrying
out thssc directions the managing Off
GERS OF the company devoted much OF
their time for years in studying critically
all routes. lines, and parts Of lines that
could be suggested. and al places in the
city suitable for a passenger depot En-
" ~
comb, well known to the people of this
city; ;. T.. Weir, now chief engineer OF
western line. and, for the last few
years, Harry Frazier. chief engineer of
the Chesapeake and Ohio railway with
an able staff of ASSISTANTS, have been
at work constantly during nearly this
whole period of five o. six years on
this Improvement. Many surveys have
been made. tunnels have been thought
Of: lines down Bacon Quarter branch
lines tunnelling under Byrd-street depot
ard Ninth street thence by ViaGuct,
nvc been run. the whole country west
OF Bacon Quarter branch TO the Hanover
line has been surveyed time and again.
After spending years in these trial lines
II was determined some TWO years ago
TO adopt the line which is now presented
10 the city, and the location indicated
Tor the passenger depot. The advantages
OF this location for passenger station
are manifest 10 all acquainted with street
system Of Richmond and the system oil
street railways. BY taxing the street
cars in front OF the building, on Main
street. or without leaving the shelter
OF the building, on Franklin street. pas
sengers can take cars TO any part or
Richmond or Manchester. The present
street-railway systems all converge TO
narrower limits AT this point than at any
other. and are fully commanded by the
depot.
The building and train-shed are TO be
constructed OF brick. iron, and stone
and the arrangements will i'm many inn
portant features. be similar to those
adopted by the Pennsylvania railroad and
the Philadelphia and Read railroad in
their great and magnificent stations in
Philadelphia. The floor Of the main
Offices and the tracks and .train-shed Will
be between twenty-five and thirty feet
above the level of Main street: under
meath the main part of the building Will
be baggage facilities with a large. open
concourse open for carriages and vehi-
cles- Elevators will take passengers
from this ground floor TO the handsome
waiting rooms above. while broad stair
ways Will also connect the floors. giving
the most abundant means for rapid and
comfortable ingress and egress Of passen-
gers. On this floor there will be an ele-
CANT dining-room. The structure
throughout Is 10 he annie aud fret-.i,co