New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-03
NEW BRIDGE MOTIVE POWER
PROPOSITION TO HAVE ELEVATED EN-.
GINES USE A CABLE.
MR. UHLMANN's IDEAS AS SET FORTH BY o. ,.
NICHOLS. THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE
DIFFICULTIES no BE OVERCOME.


NICHOLS THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE
DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME.
The means by which the elevated railroad
companies will run their cars across the Brooklyn
Bridge, in case OF their proposition to this effect
being accepted is given below In a talk with O.
F. Nichols the engineer in charge Of the con-
struction Of the East River Bridge. Tho
solution Of this question arrived at by Mr..
Nichols in his connection with Mr. Uhlmann's
company, and in its simplicity. economy ana
unquestionable practicability constitutes the
most interesting feature OF the subject yet made
public. 1t Is particularly pertinent, too. In view
OF the favorable attitude toward the general idea
manifested by Mayor Wurster.
The chief difficulty which at first faced u.s."
said Mr.. Nichols to The Tribune reporter. LAY
in the increased grade OF the Bridge over
that of the elevated railroad The grade on the
Bridge Is per cent and engines on the Brooklyn
Elevated Railroad would not be able to haul the
trains Of four cars up that grade. Five cars.
the number desired. could be handled by the use
OF electricity. We know but in going down on tho
other side many dangers would be encountered.
and the passengers would be practically at the
mercy OF the motorman. Any carelessness on
the part of the latter, any defect or disorder
in the track would be likely to lead 10 rear-end
collision. Again the question Of expediency was
a weighty one. and did not seem likely to be
aided by the force.
1T was also at first suggested tina; the en-.
gnes OF the Brooklyn elevated railroad be
rebuilt replaced by new ones with the power
so centred that, without increasing the weight,
the engine might be capable Of much heavier
work. This. however. would have involved a
heavy expense. and would not have particu.
larly expedited things. either, and 1t seemed
necessary above all else, to devise some plan
which would bring about the desired result
almost Immediately
THE FINAL PLAN EVOLVED
THE objections that have stated existing
toward these two plans. II seemed necessary to
evolve third Another way was finally sug-
gested by me to Mr.. Uhmann. This was that
a special power grip be put on the elevated rail-
road engines. to consist OF a modification Of the
cable-car grip. adapted to train service and to
the special features Of the bridge construction.
Such arrangement We speedily decided.
would involve no material change Of the cable
driving plant Of the bridge now established.
With this grip In position, the engine coming
from the elevated railroad on either side OF ths
bridge would run out over the cable at about
the same speed with it, and, gripping the cable
firmly without injury to 1t, the train would be
hauled over to the other side Of the river. where
the engine would release its hold on the cable
and proceed under It's own steam over either
Of the elevated roads There has been some
trouble with the present grip on the Bridge
because of the difficulty of setting 1t firmly by
hand. The new grip. though. would present no
such difficulty, eince the power Of the engine
could be utilized to set It,
"As to the connections between the elevated
tracks and the Bridge on the Brooklyn side. It
~ao 10 hr thA ole tod rnod
Concord or Nassau st.. or through private prop.
erty into the Bridge railroad yard. while the
Kings County road could build a connectioo
from the junction Of Hillary and Fulton sto.
acrcss the narrow strip Of private property %
the east side Of Eiberty-st: and above Concord.
ST. On the New-York side the extension into
Centre-st and a connection across Tryon Rov
would settle the question.
TO CARRY 5000 PEOPLE AN HOUR.
II think Mr.. Uhmann's estimate Of $4,000 pao.
sengers an hour over the Bridge Is within re-.
sonable limits provided the entire system q
trains Is placed under one management. Any
overcrowding at the terminal stations would
then be practically impossible, since the ele-
waited railroad stations on either side Of the rvsr
would be somewhat removed from the Bridge
terminal stations, the latter being used for pas
sengers reaching the Bridge by other approaches
than those Of the elevated railroad.
IF the trolley cars could be brought to the
structure at the ends Of the bridge they could
be taken over In the same manner the ele.
trolley roads use the bridge at all. it win be
necessary to lay track on the roadway. which
would in time. II not at present. interfere
seriously with the use Of the road by carriages
and 80 forth. and theee would at any time i'm.
pede attempts at rapid speed the part Of the
trolley cars
THE elevated railroads In the city Of Brook.
lyn have received large and generous rights
from the city. and the question naturally pre-
sents itself to the latter as to how these roads
can be made most useful to Its residents. I can
think of no plan at present that Is more promiS-
ing in developing the usefulness Of these roads
to citizens than securing for them, under proper
restrictions transit over the bridge and .
close connection with the New-York systems oe
travel
IF this can be secured. and at the same time
effect the saving proposed Of bridge fares TO the
people, the general benefit must be great. A. Z
understand Mr.. Uhlmanns proposition, he would
stand ready to pay to the cities $4,000 or
100000 year. and at the same time give to the
people Of Brooklyn twice this amount Of MONEY
In the saving OF bridge fares," -