The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-08-21

minutes, the speed down some of the
grades being estimated at the rate OF
| thirty miles all hour. When in regular
running order, the trip to town can
easily be made in quarter of an hour.
The scenery en- route was perfect and
the day an ideal one.
That same evening another trip was
made to the mountain, and this time a
number of ladies were in the party.
The car was brilliantly illuminated by
incandescent lights and made marked
impression as it glided along over the
smooth rails through town and out
into the moonlit country. No unpleas-
ant incidents marred the perfect en-
joyment of the "trolley ride" and the
second trip of the electric car was as
marked a success as the first. Engineer
Haywood said that when fully equip
ped with cars and all the details of COM
pletion are adjusted, the Frederick and
MiddletOwn Railroad, for its length, is
as thoroughly up-to-date and efficient as
any trolly line in the country, and that
after few trips over the road the cars
would adjust themselves to the rails
much better and little or no jar would
be felt.
From time to time, since the move
posed construction of an electric rail-
way TO Middletown was current, the
CITIZEN has advocated the project, and
in editorial and local columns eX-
tolled the wisdom of the incorpor-
ators and commended the enterprise
to the people of both sections as a
long step ' forward in the way of
suburban Accommodation, which
most eventually comes to all large
towns in the course of modern ad-
vancement and improvement. II is
really surprising to see the rapid change
in even small places throughout the
county, made by the opening up of new
sections of country to quick transport
tation and freight accommodation. 1t
mas been the experience of all such that
short or long distance electric railways
running to some popular resort through
any stretch of country, soon works
wOndrOus transformations in the life
and business OF its inhabitants, and
puts new phase in their hitherto un-
eventful existence. Trolly lines are the
life and builders up of suburban locali-
ties, and such a result will certainly
suhserve the best interests of the stock
holders, the business men and the
travelling public generally.
The primary success of the Frederick
and Middletown Electric Railway is a
perfect demonstration of what spirit
of pluck and enterprise will do in any
community. When the movement was
first started there were those who pre-
dicted failure and all sorts and condi-
lions of disastrous nature should the
road even materialize. For long
period of time the project was at a
OF f,,r cR1i., int Fr n
the capital stock, and capitalists from
other places were invited to become in
terested in order that the road might
be quickly built and the benefits be
realized in the shortest possible time.
President George William Smith, who
from the first has been an ardent adVO-
cate of the plan, with other broad
minded aud LIBERAL men of Frederick
and Middletown, gave the matter their
own personal supervision and talked
electric railroad from night Till morn
ing, and from morning till night. AT
great Inconvenience and at times per-
sOual and business sacrifice, they went
around to their friends and aCquaInt-
ances seeking to make them Interested
in the Incorporation Of The road, which
their own foresight and wisdom told
them could not fail to be q financial
success. AT length enough money was
subscribed to ensure the erection OF the
road, aud as soon as The weather per-
mitted work was started. How well
it has progressed everybody is aware,
and now the only thing remaining
for the people is to make the ''no-
ter mote " TO the music of nickels
and dimes. Mr.. Smith thought
of connecting the fertile Middle
town Valley with Frederick City
by means of railroad long years ago,
and on several occasions sought to get
up a company, but to no effect. He
knew the resources of that rich tract of
land and how a properly conducted
railroad would help to open upthat ter
rtOry to the outside world and bring
its people and products nearer to
the markets of the world. 1t
surely must have been gratifying TO
see his ideas taking such substantial
shape as they did OH Tuesday last.
But not alone to the ambitious Presi-
dent is the entire credit due. Associat-
ed with him in the undertaking are
many of our well known business men,
who have put their shoulders to the
wheel when they seemed TO be sink
ing far into the slough of lassitude
and 10y display of energy and public
spirit SO characteristic of them in their
own business life, the railroad is what
it is to-day. They have aided him by
their counsel and experience and now,
when the victory is won, come in for
their share of popular congratulations
and commentator.
The rolling stock of the company
has all arrived and is ready for traffic.
The cars vary in length a trifle but av-
erage about thirty feet. They are
dark maroon in color and equal in de-
tail of construction those operated in
the large cities. They are somewhat
larger than the ordinary street car and
also heavier, SO as to better stand the
strain of steep grades and heavy car
goes of freight and passengers. Each
coach bears the name of the frederick
& Middletown Railway" and on the
front and rear have a small lettered
sign "Braddock Heights" When
the road is completed to Middletown
this will be changed accordingly.
The powerful motors which move the
ponderous cars are situated fore and
aft, swinging between the wheels.
A long iron rod having small revolv-
ing wheel at the end takes the cleo
tricity from the wire at the top OF the
car and wires take it to the motor.
The lights are fed in the same way.
Strong electric reflectors are placed in
front and rear of each Car and they
throw q steady glare of light far ahead
4 L.. 4 l., ,Axryo