Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-10
BIG r.. g. O. CHANGES.

The Register yesterday exclusively
published an item of railroad news
which, if true, is to this section the
most important in many years. The
story had both local and New York
end and it was like pulling teeth to
get at facts concerning certain big I'M
provements which the B. & o. is al
legged to have in view. These improve
ments, from what could be gathered
by the Registers special correspond
emit in New York City and from Coun-
cilmen who have been interviewed re-
Gently by B. & o. officials from head
quarters, contemplate at this point the
abandonment as the main line, of the
Bellaire bridge route across the Ohio,
the through trains to come to Wheel
ing and pass on westward crossing the
river by bridges and viaduct over the
Island. Whether the B. & o. people
have, as rumored made a deal with
the Wheeling and Lake Erie or, the c.,
l.. & W., looking to the continuance
of the road to the lakes and the north
west by either of those routes, or not,
the proposed change as far as indicat-
ed, would shorten the present route to
the west by at least twenty miles.
Wheeling's share in the contemplate
ed Improvement by being placed on the
main line of the B. & O., where she
long ago should have been, would be
great and while tardy, would be none
the less welcome and evidence that
the new B. & o. management is look
ing alive and appreciates the import
ance of its Wheeling terminus.
Certainly there is at no point along
this entire line more room for
radical improvement than in Wheel
ing, which has so long suffered from
neglect by the B. & 0. in many ways
For example, Wheeling has been a
mere switch of the B. & o. ever since
the main line was extended west of the
Ohio river. And, moreover, this city
has suffered for many years from
totally inadequate station facilities.
and since the destruction of the old
ramshackle structure at the creek, has
actually been without a B. & O. pas
senger station, since it would be
farce to give the present shed in the
yard OF the company serving that pur-
nose the title of station
Ii all this is to be changed and this
city at the same time is to have her
Importance recognized by being placed
on the main line of the road, we NAV.
indeed, rise up and call the new man.
agement blessed
Aside from the immediate adyant-
age to this city that would accrue from
being placed on the main line of this
great trunk line, which now has
through connections from New York
to the great northwest and the Pacif-
&c, 1t would furnish the immense trade
OF this city new and direct outlet in
that direction. The absorption by tbe
b. q 0. of the Pittsburg & Western r
r., also part of the general scheme
is an important feature of the deal
The Registers exclusive reports
local and Geographic, on this
subject, the only publication of
these contemplated B. & o. changes
made outside of the press of New York
yesterday created much comment and
speculation in this city. We have
been long praying for a mere passen-
ger station. If we shall get not only
the station but these other improve-
ments, which would vastly increase
Wheeling's prestige and Importance as
trade and manufacturing centre we
Shall have cause, indeed, for congratu-
lation, as will also the B. & O.. whose
interests in this particular are identi-
cal with Wheeling's.