The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-10-24
Probabilities or Possibilities.

The Kennebec journal OF Saturday In
dulges in COZ 'ctures in connec ion with
the recent change in the ownership of
the Somerset Railway which we con-
dense as follows:
The Maine Central and Grand Trunk
Canadian Pacific wants winter hafbor
in Maine. Ii cannot get into Portland,
bbut Wiscasset has AS good harbor as
could be desired and there are ways Of
reaching it and it is this that has set
some people 20 thinking since the pur
chase of the Somerset road, for this short
| line has Il part to play in the general
plan. It's actual position in relation to
the Maine Central is, TO be sure, still In
doubt. but be that as it may here are
some of the schemes that have been sug-
gested.
The Canadian Pacific goes nearly
across the State and to the north Of the
termini of the Somerset aud the present
narrow guage railroads. The gaps be
tween the ends OF these roads and the
port at Wiscasset are small and could be
easily bridged.
The northern terminus of the Somer-
set is at Bingham. But as the crow flies
1t Is only about 30 miles to Greenville
and TO the tracks of the Canadian Pacific
and the Bangor & Aroostook. That's a
narrow gap easily bridged. With piece
of road in there the c. p. would have u
straight line to Oakland. But the pres
sent road bed of the Somerset is not
heavy enough for the rolling stock of the
G. p. For the trains of the c. p. to roll
direct into Oakland, new iron, new
bridges and other improvements on the
Somerset would be necessary. The cars
of the G. p. could be hauled over the line
to Oakland by the Somerset engines
without trouble. One transfer to the
narrow gauge would put the freight on a
straight line to the hold of Transact
lantic liner or any other ship in the port
of Wiscasset.
There is small gap between Oakland
and Weeks Mills that is already being
rapidly filled. In this scheme it will be
seen that the Somerset and the Wiscas-
set, Waterville 81 Pennington have an
important part to play. A thing that
makes this seem possible is the generally
understood fact that the c. p. is backing
the narrow guage last mentioned. This
too, may simply be a rumor, but under
the conditions, 1t seems to have the ear
marks of truth. Thus the Somerset ex.
tended to Greenvlle and the Wiscasset,
Waterville & Pennington completed to
| Oakland the c. p. would have an outlet
TO one of the best harhors in the State.
There is another scheme is which the
Somerset is left out. 1t is longer dis
lance across country from Carrabasset to
Greenville than from Bingham to Gre L.
vile, measuring across country In both
distances. But If it should be desired
for any eason to leave the Somerset out
Of the scheme this route could be adopt
ed. The transfer station could then be
at Greenville inste4d of Oakland aud the
little two by-four could hustle the freight
straight to the sea from the wilds of
of Maine. These schemes seem plausible
The key to the whole situation seems to
be the tapp ng of the great harbor at
| Wiscasset. The sale of the Somerset is
looked upon by some, therefore, more
than merely IA transfer of block of
stock from one party to another. The
purchase can be considered very clever
stroke, looked at in the various lights.