The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-28


ate plan OF improvements being carried
out by Receivers cowen and Murray,
Of the Baltimore & Ohio system. Al
though less than two years have
elapsed since the receivers assumed
charge of this extensive combination of
lines, the scope and magnitude of the
work undertaken and completed seems
almost Incredible. II might be said
that the greater portion OF the Baltl-
more 4 OHIO has been not only rebuilt,
but re-equpped, while traffic alliances
have been arranged which are inter-
national in their scope,
With this issue the Manufacturers
Record presents an Interview, author
tied by the receivers, which summar-
ICES the plans OF Messrs. Cowen and
Murray which have thus far been car
rled to completion. The statement fol-
lows IN detail:
when the receivers were given
charge OF the Baltimore Il Ohio system
It was decided that extensive improve
ments would have to be made to the
tracks and terminals, and that very
large expenditure for rolling stock was
necessary IL the demands Of the pas
senger and freight traffic were to be
met The entire system seemed TO be
in such condition as TO make a gem
eral overhaullng desirable IL the earn
ings we're to be augmented. The OPP
portunlties which the Baltimore & Ohio
had for obtaining export and other
traffic from the west and northwest
were investigated, and the need OF in
creasing the yard room at this point
became apparent. When the receivers
took possession of the system several
projects were nearly completed or un-
der way These included the building
of a new passenger station in the
northern section or Baltimore, pro-
posed down town passenger station In
The same city, the use Of electricity for
hauling both freight and passenger
trains through the Belt Line tunnel OF
Baltimore, shops and other buildings,
as well as yard improvements at Cum
berland, Md. additions to the large
yard at Brunswick, Nd, and improve
ments contemplated on the Pittsburgh
division, as well as the relaying large
portion of track on the main line.
Work of Rehabilitation.
1.-THE task OF placing the system in
condition to meet he various requires
ments was large, and the work of re-
Mobilization was practically begun
about April /, 1896, when the receivers
were authorized to order a large
amount OF rolling stock, including $500
coal cars, 1880 box cars and seventy
five locomotives for freight and passen-
ger service. These orders aggregated
1851, 900. It was then decided to ex-
n,d at pOtnf
Baltimore, and to make repairs and
improvements to the company's shops
at Mount Clare. The yards at Locust
Point have been greatly increased. and
they now have q capacity Of $500 cars.
THE electric power station in tn"
city was increased by the addition OF
about 500 horse power, and motor was
added to the electric equipment, being
used for switching purposes In the
eastern section of baltimore. Freight
trains are now being hauled from Cam
den Station into the northern suburbs
entirely by the electric motors. The
work at Cumberland has not been car
ried out as originally planned, as the
expenditure Of the amount appropria
ted by the former management, $1,000
900. was not deemed necessary. Enough
sidings, however, have been built to ac-
commodate $500 cars, as well as n
roundhouse large enough for forty-four
locomotives, with workshop. power
house and other buildings. A coal
trestle of modern design was erected in
addition to a sand dryer.
Pittsburgh DlviIion.
"on the Pittsburgh division, as well
as at Harper's Ferry and at point
known as Seven Curves, the economical
operation Of the line required changes
in the alignment of the tracks. At
Glenwood, near Pittsburgh, n cutoff
and new yards have been constructed.
The entrance TO the city OF Pittsburgh
Is being improved by the construction
OF new tracks and bridges. The engin>
eerlng work, which includes all of the
improvements, amounted to over 2,-
100000, which viii give an idea of their
Importance.
"The work OF relaying the line with
eighty-flve pound rails has been con-
tInued. and thus far nearly $4,000 tons
have been ordered for this purpose, II,
an expense of about $l5O0,000. The
s!xty-seven pound rails which are be-
ing replaced by the heavier steel arc
being used on divisions where the trat
fic Is lighter, and on which the train
service is not so continuous. After
cyrrlderlng the situation ut Baltimore
carefully II was decided not to build n
down town passenger station, but to
enlarge and remodel Camden Station
hy constructing additional buildings
and train shed over the entrance to
the Belt Line tunnel. By this arrange
ment the shifting OF trains outside Of
the tunnel and running them back t.
Il present station win be avoided nf-
fordng a considerable saving Of time.
Tho improvements, which are now
nearly completed. win make Candle
Station modern In all respects. They
have been carried at very small pro-
portion Of what II would cost to erect
an entirely now building. Mount Royal
station, with It's train shcd and APP
rronches, costing s225,00O has been
0nrncd several months, and II the I'm
oat, in proportion to It's size, OF any
depot In this country Another i'm
rrovcmcnt In baltimore has been the
erection Of n lnrge warehouse nj o cost
N about $4,000 on Hcndorson's wharf
This win be used principally for stor-
age Of tobacco.
Territory nrnaisncd.
"RealIalng that the Baltimore & Ohio
bhonl1 recure n large proportion Of the
OCEAN ne wen rs domestic freight from
The west and northwest. the receivers
hive ondopvorcd 10 broaden out ltR tor
tllory az much M possible. What In
Known M the FalrpOrt Line, which tor
inmates NJ the town Of this name ON
Lake Erie, glvea the Baltimore 4 Ohio
line 10 and from the northwest. ANA
FINN Iufuf, and ftktUu h., IinItI..,.... III.