Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-11-05

~ ONE stupendous undertakings in
the way of vast mechanical i'm
~ movements have been cncom-
oossed by Western railroads during
tho past few years. To person un-
s,niIiar with the details OF the same,
an outline proves both surprising and
,mazing. The demand for perfect train
,orvicp roadway accessories that en-
,hla q correct calculation on small
narts of minute, convenience. com
tort ntility-all are elements in the en-
tprprise that thinks nothing of eXpend-
inc millions on placing the railroad on
the most approved basis. The last and
most important object Of attention to
pnoross railroad Arrangements has
heen the advantages Of track elevation.
The enormous evils of grade crossings,
II was found had 10 be done away with
safety to life and limb insured to Cit
zens. while the solving Of the problem
of rapid transit was also concerned
for ordinance has failed 10 restrict
speed. Delays and Interruptions to
street traffic and travel win never be
abolished. guards and gates dispensed
with, length of trains regulated, the
noise OF bells and whistles mttigated-
in fact, the elevation Of tracks, as in
London and philadelphia-wil place
the railway systems IDOut Chicago on
a kind of automatic basis, so to speak.
Chicago is the greatest railroad cen
ter in the world, and its mileage of
tracks exceeds that of any other city.
Within the corporate limits are f9uhd
115 lineal miles OF main tracks. This
does not include every track of each
system. but the real aggregate from
two to ten tracks Of each line as one.
There are in addition 100 miles Of
other tracks, witches, yards, belt
lines and the like Nearly ten years
since the public began 10 discuss how
the great loss of life occurring to per
sons passing over these tracks could be
avoided Fences. walls, guards gates
.even-did not entirely insure safety.
Isolation seemed necessary. Al one
single crossing it was found that from
morning till midnight rs trains passed.
with 3.952 cars. During these eighteen
hours ST street cars passed, carrying
1G,540 passengers; - 32 wagons trucks.
buggeS and other vehicles, with 4.464
drivers and other persons. People on
foot aggregated some 10000. This was
at a point that, from the frequency OF
accidents, came to be known generally
as Dead Mans crossing.
The movement to force railroads to
elevate their city tracks developed very
rapidly after its first agitation. In 1892
the Illinois Central took the lead 10y
eleyating It's ten tracks on the lake
front for distance of i've miles. vast
Decuniary benefits Immediately accrued
10 the road, for during the next year
of the Worlds Fair it was enabled to
almost double its speed in carrying pas
SengerS The cost was something over
$1,000 600, and the Northwestern road
soon followed the example. Within
three years the plan was in prospect or
operation with nearly all the railway
lines centering at Chicago.
The result is that skilled contractors
have reduced track elevation TO posi-
tive science. Chicago mechanical ann
ity bringing this about dlStluctlVely.
The first venture cost extra time ana
money, being practically eAperlmeh'aL
The methods then employed lacked
economical results, Now. tracks are
elevated with no interruption To lrat'
tic. The tracks are raised by Jacks IN
sections Of about 300 yards, ana arr II
rammpd under them. The elevation Is
so distributed as 10 allow II gradual IN
cline from the surface level to theeleYa-
ton grade a clear idea OF TINS method
was furnished at one crossing Whefe
hundreds Of trains freight and paSSeh-
Cer-climcd mp and over the elevation
in progress without mlShap
In building the biz retaining walls 10
hold the sand or dirt. concrete resting
upon Il solid foundation OF clay Is used
In the process of formation, mods OF
heavy Dlanking are sometimes employ
ed. one side vertical. or nearly so. the
other in series of offsets 10 give the
necessary batter to the nnlshed wall
lnto this substantial mold Is poured
The concrete mixture, which Is made 10
consistency TO adapt itself readily 10
the sides of the mold. Constant ram
ming insures the solidity of the mass
and fills all inequalities. The mixing
and handling of the concrete Is done
by portable machinery. and the mold
is left until the concrete walls nave
thoroughly hardened
At one point where the tracks OF one
railroad had to he depressed under
those of another at the same crossing