Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-06

a total mileage of about IS miles now
in operation. Plans are being consid-
cred to add between 30 and 100 miles to
these systems in 1908.
The first two roads mentioned above
are located in Knox and Kennebec
counties, respectively. The intention
is to build a connecting link between
the termini of these lines so as to
bring Rockland and the capital city OF
Maine within one half the railroad dis
lance of each other they are today. 1t
is now 30 miles from Rockland to Au-
gusta by rail. The building of a road
from Togus to Warren. a distance of
about 30 miles, would cement the two
systems and make a continuous line
from Camden to Winthrop. The Au-
gusta. Winthrop & Gardiner system.
which began as the Augusta, Hallowell
& Gardiner road. is now one of the
most promising systems in the State.
The Togus branch. built in 1901, has
already demonstrated its value; and
the Winthrop line, although only in
operation since the eth of August, is
destined to become a source of revenue
as time goes on. Col. Henry G. Staples
was wiser than his generation when he
SO strenuously labored to secure the
construction of the electric road be-
tween this city and Gardiner.
ThOs. ]. Lynch, F. G. Kinsman, H. G..
Staples and c. r. Written of this
city, and Fred S. ThOrne of Gardi.
ner, are planning to build two lines
from Augusta to Waterville, 20 miles
away, on both sides of the kennebec
river, tapping several of the fresh
water lakes of this section. They are
even now engaged in making the nee
essary surveys and bargaining for
rights of way.
With these additions constructed,
connecting the lakes of Kennebec coun-
ty with the Knox county seashore, it Is
not unreasonable to expect that there
will be very nearly 100 miles of cleo
trio road in these systems.
The Portsmouth. Kittery & York
line now extends from Kittery. opposite
the New Hampshire city of Ports
some Is miles. Gov. Hill is already
engaged in building a 2S-mile
addition to this system, and
hopes to have 1t ready to operate
early next summer. The road is
to start from Dover, N. H.. and will
pass through several Maine towns.
notably Eliot. where the Governor was
born, connecting with the Portsmouth,
Kittery & York. His idea is to be able
to convey the people of the two princi-
pal New Hampshire cities on the Maine
border to the seashOre at York, where
they can enjoy the breezes of Old
Ocean to their hearts content.
The largest trolley system in Maine
at present is the Portland Railroad.
This line extends from Yarmouth in
Cumberland county through Portland,
Old Orchard. Saco and into Biddeford,
the largest city in York county. 1t has
branch lines running to Cape Elizabeth
and to Sebago lake. and besides thor
oughIy covers the city of Portland with
a network of tracks. Its total mile
age is now fraction less than 30
miles, but the company has not yet
finished making extensions. The total
cost of this system to the present time
is 4.207, 154.13, and the bonded indebt-
edness is $2,1OO,000. The road is con-
trolled by Portland men and is dis
tinctively a Portland enterprise.
The second largest system of trolley
lines in the State is the Lewiston.
Brunswick & Bath road. 1t extends
from the city of Auburn in Androscog-
gin county, through Lewiston. Lisbon
and Brunswick to Bath. in the county
of Sagadahoc. 1t has 54.75 miles of
track. There has been expended In the
construction of this system the sum OF
s1,643,326. and the bonded debt Is ST.
OOO. 900 This road was constructed by
Amos F.. Gerald and I. c. Libby. the
pioneers in electric railroad building in
Maine. assisted by New York capital
lists, who are now represented in its
management Hon. Herbert M. Heath
Of Augusta, is the president, and E.