Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-05
CENTRAL woRk PLANNED.
Extensive Improvements to be Mad
South on the Line in 1903.

Extensive Improvements to be Made
South on the Line in 1908.
The Oskaloosa Herald of Wednes-
day evening has the following to say
concerning the plans of the Iowa Cen
trail for improvements during the com
ing year, to be carried out in that
vicinity. The Herald says:
1.-The Iowa Central has planned con-
siderable Improvement for the season
Of 1903 In a general way the work OF
the past season is to be carried for
ward to completion and following that
it will be continued in Oskaloosa and
south Of the city, The details of what
will be done during the season cannot
be definitely stated at this time. The
condition Of the weather will influence
the work. 1t is generally known how
the unfavorable season of last year
retarded the work and hindered the
progress Of the improvement. Much
Of the work had to be done over an6
the matter of drainage was constant
expense.
in a general way the work north OF
Searsboro and Grinnell will be pushed
to early completion. Under the con-
tract this work was to have been com
pleted by November Of last yeai
but the constant rain so interfered With
the progress of the grading that it
Twill require several months Of this
year to finish this part of the work.
The work at New Sharon and Lacey
and between this city and Skunk rive.
will be taken up rs soon in the spring
as the season will permit for the COM
pany is greatly DESTROYS of having this
construction part OF its improvement
policy completed and out of the way
Just what is to be done in the city
has not yet been definitely determined
OF the plan will not be touched until
quite late in the present season. 1t is
possible that the plans contemplate
the entire revision and betterment OF
the Oskaloosa yards. Certainly the
yards are to be extended and enlarg
ed for the better handling of trains
and cars and an effort will be made to
do away with the Objectionable curve
just as the main line of the eastern
division leaves the yard. The curve is
the bane of the Iowa Central engine
ers existence. 1t is an expensive curve
for the reason that it requires such
motive power in getting over it from
either direction. The other Gay a
double header" pulling forty three
cars, into the city from the east. was
stuck on the curve. A swith engine
had to go to the assistance of the
train, and help pull them in. 1t was all
that three engines with their combin-
ed power could do to get the cars into
the city and over the reverse curves
in the yards. The reducing of this
curve would be a saving in both time
and operating expense to the company.
Just how the matter will be handled
is problem that the engineering de-
partment of the road has been study
ing for some time. 1t is question not
easy of solution and is being given
careful consideration by the company
management.
There will be considerable work
done south Of the city during the year.
The ballasting of the track will be car
ried forward along with other parts
of the improvement and the road by
the end of next season will be in
excellent condition If the efforts of the
company during the season are to
count for anything"