The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1895-09-19
TO THE SUMMIT OF PIXIES PEAK
Something About the Famous Mountain
and the Modern Means of Ascending It.
Editorial correspondence.

Editorial Correspondence
Notwithstanding the fact that it is
nearly two weeks since my return from
the west, shall take one more chance
of boring the reader, partly because
have so far made but brief allusion to
one of the most delightful events of our
trip, and partly because" copy is slow"
and my letter will answer for pad
ding" for the printer if nothing else.
The day we spent on Pixies Peak
and the wonderful manner of making
the ascent and descent are to me
among the pleasantest recollections of
the visit to the rockies
1t goes without saying that the seen
cry to be enjoyed in maxi 9 the ascent
of the peak is something leXpressibly
grand and shall not attempt to de-
scribe, even in a feeble way, the glo-
ries of Shady Springs, Echo Lake,
RuXton and Aspen Parks, Grand View
Park, Inspiration Point and other in
spring views, but it is when we arrived
at the summit that we had as it were
the world before us. Oh, for the pen of
a Julian Ralph to describe the scene.
Spread out before us was a mighty
panorama of 10000 square miles. Colo
RADIO Springs, Manitou and the Garden
of the Gods were at our feet and looked
like regularly laid out flower beds. To
the south we could see plainly the
Spanish peaks Of New Mexico. Cripple
Creek and Bulls Hill seemed but a
stones throw below us. And there we
were-more than $4,000 feet above sea
level, having been landed without any
physical eXertion or fatigue of any kind
by the train of the Cog wheel railroad.
That most of the party had "sensa-
tions" is true and that | experienced
dizziness which would not permit me to
stoop at all is also true, but when one
remembers that the barometer here
stands at about seventeen inches and
that water boils at 1874 degrees Fahren-
heit, it is not so very wonderful that
the human body and mind manifest
new feelings in these strange condi-
tons.
The Pixies Peak Railroad reduces all
men to Level in ability to enjoy the
pleasure. And in reference to this
wonderful feat of engineering 1 wish to
write a few words, especially as / took
some pains to acquaint myself with the
facts and figures concerning its con-
struction.
Our honorable townsman, z. G.. Sim
mons, was interested largely in build
ing this road, and is. [ understand,
financially interested in it's operation.
Mr.. Simmons very kindly gave me
letter Of introduction to 81. S. Gable,
manager of the road, but as we were at
Manitou on Sunday I did not have
favorable opportunity of presenting my
credentials, so I obtained my informa-
ton from another source.
The first project for building rail-
road to Pixies Peak took place in 1884,
when work was commenced and nearly
eight miles graded tor line which was
intended to reach the summit by cir
owing to insufficient financial support
the work was abandoned
The feasibility of the present road
was conceived in 1888 and the line was
completed Oct. 20, 1890.
The road is nearly nine miles long,
and the road bed is most substantial
There is no trestle work whatever, the
four short bridges of the line resting on
solid rock. To prevent the moving or
sliding of the track, which of course is
possible, 146 anchors are imbedded in
solid masonry at proper distances
apart, according to the grade.
The common T rail is used and the
guage is standard. The cog rails in
the center are formed by two rack
rails, set about two inches apart, Sc
curely fastened to heavy ties. The
teeth Of these rails are so constructed
that the two double wheels of the loco
motive have an even bearing at all
times.
The trolling stock" of the road at
present consists of four locomotives and
six passenger coaches. Each engine is
provided with two double steel cog
wheels through which the power is
applied. Extending from the sides Of
these wheels are four corrugated sur
faces, upon which the powerful steam
and hand brakes do their work. Either
of these brakes is amply powerful TO
stop the engine and train.
The coaches are comfortable and
largely of glass to facilitate observa-
ton; each seats fifty persons and the
seats are so arranged that passengers
may at all times have level sitting.
The locomotive pushes the car in as
cending and precedes it when descend
ing, thus giving perfect control over
the car, which can if necessary, be let
down Independently.
Everything seems TO have been done