The herald., 1898-03-02
NEWSOF THE RAILWAYS
ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES ON TEE
SANTA MONICA ROAD
BY TROLLEY TO SAN PEDRO
Progress of the Traction Company's
Line to Redondo and San Pedro.
Southern Pacific Activity

San Francisco has purchased three pow
erful electric locomotives for use on It's line
to the beach. These machines will be of
800 horsepower each. Their weight Will
necessitate the rebuilding of the road bed,
but this cost. 1t is figured, will be more
than offset by the economy in fuel and
power which will result from the use of the
electric locomotives.
1t Is said that the Santa Monica line OF
this city is figuring on the same innova-
tion. in view of the constantly increasing
traffic on the line, which often now neces-
states using n trailer, and consequent
loss of time. for the motors in the cars are
of hardly sufficient power to pull two
heavily loaded coaches The locomotives
are quite costly, as they are well covered
with patents. but they are here to stay, and
sooner or later will be in use on the trunk
lines.
BY TROLLEY TO SAN PEDRO
The Traction company is about ready
TO begin construction work on the extern
sion of it's system in this city to San Pc
dro. Carl Rosecrans, who has for n long
time been at work on the right of way,
has about completed his labors In this de-
partment. There are only a few small
pieces to secure, and little difficulty is an
ticipa ted in closing this portion of the work.
The line will then be built as rapidly as
possible The company does not anticipate
any more delay about the harbor 'work
at San Pedro, but even If this is delayed, II
will not materially alter it's plans. as in this
case the company would first build to Re-
6ondo and then to San Pedro. The line
will take in both places, and will be con-
structed with the same care and soltdity
that mark the company's lines III this city.
The most comfortable of cars have been
selected for the rolling stock, and in all
particulars the road will be first class, even
verging on the luxurious.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC ACTIVITY
The Southern Pacific company is show
Ing considerable activity in building inn
provements since the Valley road has
shown that 1t has come to stay. The pa
pers about Bakersfield report that never be-
fore in the history of the line has 1t had so
many men at work as at present. both on
the main line and on the extension to EN-
eter 1t looks as II the company had re-
pented of it's threat to give Bakersfield the
go-by, and that this place might find itself
being petted and fostered by Uncle before
the game is played through. 1t is a feature
of Southern Pacific policy in the past not
to pay much attention to any place until
a rival road comes in the way. The peo-
pie at Montgomery and Market streets
could not be made to believe. for instance,
that there was such place in the state as
was producing almost as much freight as
Oakland. and then they hurried a branch
road in and put on quick train service.
The same liveiness is being shown on the
coast route, which has so long been left
alone. The road now has ten engineers at
Paso Robes, and all the men who can
be hired are put to work.
OFFICERS COMPLIMENTED
Superintendent Muir and Assistant Prior
have been warmly complimented on the
manner in which they conducted the busi-
ness of this division of the Southern Pa
c!fc during the time that 1t had to do the
business of two overland roads. owing to
the blockade of the Santa Fe's tunnel.
The business of the Southern Pacific at
once nearly doubled in its proportions. as
far as operating trains went. For month
this work was done with economy and
without the slightest accident or mishap
of any kind and with no increase of execu-
tive force. The general officers of the
road have recognized this fact, and the
'silver plate" division. as Mr.. Muir's is
called, goes up another peg ahead of all
of its rivals.
CONSTRUCTION COMMENCED
The Santa Fe company has filed with the
secretary of Arizona certificate of the
commencement of actual work on the
Santa Fe and Grand Canyon railway. The
for the road and other preliminaries. 1t is
announced on what should be good au-
thority that actual building operations
will commence in a very few days
The road will be forty-three miles long,
extending twenty miles north from WILL
Jams to Flagstaff junction. and thence
twenty-three miles to the rim of the great
canyon. This should be one of the most
profitable portions of the Santa Fe line,
for it will enable travellers to see the most
wonderful scenery in the whole world, with
comfort and ease.
THE OJAI ROAD
Captain John Cross Is very much pleased
over the completion of his road to the
Ojai valley from Ventura. The line is
understood to be really Southern Pacific
property, but at any rate Captain Cross
will preserve an autonomy. keeping the
management in his own hands. He will
have an office in this city and q manager
at Ventura.
There will be two trains a day from
Ventura, connecting with the Southern
Pacific at that place. The scenery on the
little road is the widest and most pic
turesque in the state and all of the places
on the line are we'll worth a visit. II is
expected that this city, if the rates are
made equitable. will benefit largely from
the freight business that is to come from
the valley which has heretofore had no
railroad outlet.
NOTES OF TRACK AND TIE
The Southern Pacific is gravelnp 700
miles Of its coast line, and the same thing
is being done on the desert trackage The