The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-20
A LONG ELECTRIC LINE.
THE ROAD TO BE LAID BETWEEN
MAyCHE PETERSBURG.
Mr.. i. c. Robertson Secured the Fran
chise-The Line Will be Thoroughly
EquIpped-where 1t Will Run.

Not many weeks ago tine County Court
OF Chesterfield granted TO Mr. }. Z. NoD-
t.rtsOn, OF Manchester, the FRANCHISE iJr
building along the Manchester anu re-
tersburg pike, an electric railway. From
present prospects it looks as It the Man
chester and Petersburg Electric Railway
f'ompany. for that will be the name OF
the new corporation. VIII be In operd'ioh
by this time next year.
Mr. Robertson had the franchise grant
cd in his own name. He said. in an iner-
view which 1 had with MIN Few daSs
ago that he expected to start work on
the road between now and Christmas;
and that IL was probable that ground
would BE- broken for IL next month. III
IS Me- re bertson's purpose to form 8
company, which will be composed or
Northern and Western capitalists, ana
plans for the immediate and successful
formation OF this company are fast as
Stunning definite shape.
The route Of the road will be along the
TWENTY-FIVE miles. The franchise allows
the II rail TO be used in the building or
the road.
IT CAN Bg cHrAPLY BUILT.
The rails will be laid on cross-ties. ana
as there Is cOmDa ratively little or no
grading TO be done, the CONSTRUCTION OF
the road will be at comparatively honu,,
nal figures Mr. RRObertson estimated
that To build and Thoroughly equip the
road would cost about $5c,yo. The power
house will be located near the centre or
the line at some convenient point. me
road when completed. will be equipped
IN a Thorough and complete style. Inc
franchise requires that a car shali leaNe
the opposite ends OF the line every Two
hours or course, If the travel lustlhes
II, they will be run oftener There Is
no limit to the speed at which the cars
may he run, and the company VIII en-
deavor to make az rapid translt a. -
consistent with safety. Mr.. NOD's'sos
| l.. l.t- n
sufficient power TO carry several extra
cars whenever IL is necessary TO attach
them as trallers. In addition 10 passen-
ger coaches provision will also be made
for carrying freight ana express.
WILL BUILD DfPoIs.
II the business justifes IL, depots Will
be erected I'm Manchester and Petersburg.
The cost of a passage one way for one
person will not be over twenty-five cents,
and there will be a reduction on this
where the passenger buys a round-trip
ticket. II the work on the road Is begun
next month, and there Is no delay III
getting the material. il will he cOmpiet-
Cd within eight or ten months IRON tne
time 1t * commenced, and II VIII certain
IL he Ia operation by this time next year.
| VI. Robertson was unable TO answer many
OF my questions. for at present the en-
terprise exists only In conception, but
| ne assured me that it was his purpose
| 10 push the undertaking through 10 a sue
cessful termination
SOME OF ITS FFFEcTs.
Mr. Robectson has had considerable
| experience IN the building OF electric
railways He was one OF the chief pro-
mOters and builders of the Seventh-streel
| line In this city If the Manchester and
| petersburg H1esTic Railway Company
! Is laid it will do much 10 build up the
country between this city and Peters
| burg II will act as a connecting linb
| between the two cities, and will serve
10 bring the people of Richmond and
| Manchester and Petersburg closer tOgeth-
er. Mr.. Robertson will be the president
| OF the company when II is formed.