Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-01-11
GREAT CHANGES PLANNED.
Proposed New Division of the %. * o
Observation-Disclosures as Ter

minus.
| Yard master Slane received the fol-
lowing communication from a rail
road man in Cumberland, which adds
weight TO the belief that Martinsburg
will again become division term j.
nus. Although MIR. Slane himself
does not believe that the end OF the di-
vision will ever be removed here
| from Brunswick, he thinks it proba-
| BILE. The communication follows:
| Great improvements are being made
at Fairmont and it is said that the
division from Connellsv1lle to Fair
mont viii be made part of the main
line. The divisions will be divided
and they will have one from Martins
urg to Keyser. another from Keyser
to Fairmont and the other division
vile This arrangement would
leave Benwood out entirely, but 2
glance Mt the map will show the phil
osophy OF the idea. The absorption
of the Ohio River, now accomplish
ed by the Baltimore and Ohio, would
place Wheeling and Benwood in just
as good shape as they would be ON the
! Plttsburg divlson, and would have
just as many trains as they have at
present, which would follow a more
| direct course TO Columbus and Gin
cinnati, and Ohio River trains would
be another sourse of convenience with
the Panhandle and Cleveland and
Pittsburg connections. 1t is rumored
also that the Baltimore and Ohio Chi
cago trains from the main line via
Grafton and Fairmont, will ruu from
Columbus to Chicago via Logansport,
instead OF running via Chicago juno
ton as they do ut present It is 1886
miles from Newark to Chicago via the
Baltimore q OHIO, and only BAT via
the Panhan lie, and there is double
track line over half the distance be-
tween Newark and Chicago via the
Panhandle with easier grades.
A very interesting report is in cir
Seulation now, and one which has the
merit of plauslbility, is to the effect
that President Loree. of the Balti-
more & Ohio, has reeommC nded some
prodigious changes in the vicinity of
Benwood and Moundsville which will
revolutlonize the conditions which
prevail there at present. A new line
is to be Dgilt direct to GAINESVILLE
from the Ohio river, the detour, loop
and Bridge at Bellaire and Benwood
| are to be abolished, and the line be-
tween Grafton and Newark and Chi
cago shortened some II to 20 miles.
From Moundsville the present line
follows the river direct to Benwood,
where there Is a complete circle with
q gradual rising but, neverthel ess
steep grade, reaching the Bellane
bridge. The old loop is to be abol-
ished except for local freight traffic,
and ohe Benwood bridge may not be
rebuilt The new line will probably
follow Fish Greek and connect with
the present main line near Barnes
vile, shortening the distance between
Baltimore and Chicago to a consid.
cradle extent and eliminating a very
heavy grade between the Ohio river
and the upland districts of Ohio.
The work that has been started on
the Parkersburg branch was suspend
ed in accordance with President Lo-
reefs orders, and this appears to midi
cate that the route via GAINESVILLE and
Newark and Columbus, the new line
from Moundville is to be made the
direct route from Baltimore, Wash
ingtOn, Pittsburg and Wheeling to
Cincinnati, and that the old Parkers.
burg line is no. to be used for through
traffic The Ohio River railroad with
its easy river grades, is to be used
for through traffic via MoundsviIle
and the loop and the old bridge at
Benwood and Bellaire will be used
for freight and local traffic only.
connections with the Baltimore and
Ohio for Newark and Columbus, eau
take Q eveland q Pittsburg trains to
main line junction, and Wheeling pa
irons can take the Ohio River, now
controlled by the Baltimore & Ohio,
70 Moundsvllle. and then take the
Baltimore & Ohio through trains and
go right ON to Wheeling.
M.GARO IE1r0R
THE Cumberland Valley Railroad