Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-20
THREE MILES IN THREE WEEKS.
Exploit of n Locomotive in the Noun
Trims of North CnroIinn.

II is not at all probable that we have
as yet attained the maximum in speed
possible for locomotives. Efforts to break
the record are many. But there is a
proposition at the other end of that idea
maximum implies also a minimum No
effort Is made to "break the record" for
that. There probably is no record, but
there is a minimum. Few who do much
travelling have failed OF the experience Of
"a mile a minute" A somewhat interest
ing trip was once made by locomotive
at pace of mile a week. 1t was short
run, only little over three miles, but It
took three weeks to make it,
There are few more remarkable evidences
of engineering skill, in this or any other
country, than the climb of the Western
Carolina railroad over the Blue ridge
mountains says the New York Post. The
first trail through those mountains to cross
Swannanoa gap was made by the deer ana
other forest animals. The Indians followed
the path which the animals marked out.
The Indian trail became the wagonway of
the white pioneer, and with advancing civ
iliZation and settlement the state turnpike.
Twenty years ago the railroad was pushed
along the same general route. But men
and horses, wagons and oxen can go where
a locomotive cannot. To climb the ridge
an easier grade was imperative. From
little station called Henry's, for con-
siderable time the terminus OF the road,
but now abandoned, to the top OF the gap,
is a distance of three miles in an air line.
By rail il is nine miles. From the Round
Knob hotel two miles beyond the site OF
Henry's, to a point just above Mud cut,
is a short three-quarters of mile by
mountain trail. By rail 1t Is hve miles.
Tho difference in elevation between Henrys
and the top of the gap Is 100 ieet, OF
rather more than 500 feet to the mile. The
old turnpike road between the two points
follows a fairly direct line, with an aver
age rise of about one foot in fve. The
ascent at that grade though possible 1or
man and beast, is impossible for loco
motive without gearing. ,
When the line was pushed through the
mountains twenty years ago, the construc-
tion work was carried on at both ends;
from Old Fort westward upon the eastern
side, and between the gap and AshevllIe
upon the western side. AS the wolh pro
gressed, an engine upon the western sue
became a necessity, and the line upon the
eastern side had only reached Henrys' 10
SUSPEND the work meant long delay An
engine must go out, and the problem arose
how to get 1t there, over the mountain ohe
of the lightest engines on the line was sent
in as far as Henry's. From there to the
rails on the other side OF the gap 1t was
three and half miles, ana all the way up
hill 200 feet to the mile The track to the
top was but roughly graded. There were
bridges and culverts to build Ii was de-
cided to use the turnpike road. BY means
OF short sections OF track, the sections being
taken up after the engine had passed them.
and carried forward to be replaced for further
1t was regarded as possible to
effect the ascent.
AS II was manfestly impossible for any
friction wheeled engine to carry itself up so
sharp a grade, 1t would have TO be dragged
up by other means. A long line OF oxen was
tried, but the plan failed through inability
to obtain a uniform pull from the team.
There was plenty OF power, but 1t could not
be made to harmonize. Finally the crew OF
conyicts by whom the road was being built
was set at work. Ropes were run forward
upon which some 200 men In striped clothes
were set to pulling Others worked at the
wheels with pineh-bars, while others stood
ready with blocks of wood to Gerye as wedges