The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-06
RAILROAD WORLD.

Ine KNOXVILLE JOurnal-TrlDune says:
The coal situation in the Tennessee and
Kentucky field is considerably improved
as to car supply. The relief comes from a
shipment of 1900 new steel cars from
Michigan City to Birmingham, which en-
route are loaded with Tennessee coal.
These cars with the regular supply in the
district make about full supply. The
steel cars can only be held for ship
ments, which are consigned to a Georgia
or Alabama market and are not allowed
to go to Carolina territory.
The Tennessee Kentucky field is not
TO get any of the steel cars, but the mere
fact that these cars are going to the
Birmingham district means that wooden
cars Of that district will be released for
use In the Tennessee Kentucky district.
This, it is expected, will help solve the
shortage.
For this reason the coal operators
quite hopeful. The car shortage PROPOSE
ton has been one thing which has de-
moralized the market for Tennessee-Ken
: lucky coal more than anything else. 1t
is predicted that the coal business in this
territory will forge steadily ahead now,
that shipments will steadily increase and
that more and more men will be en-
ployed.
The steel cars, which are to be used
In the Alabama district, are hfty-ton
cars and represent large tonnage in the
+. course, than the wooden ones. and the
mountain grades which the Southern has
to contend with in hauling coal In some
directions make it more economical to
use lighter cars in this territory
j. p. McCuen, superintendent of motive
power of the Queen and Crescent Route,
was in Birmingham yesterday in consul
tation with Superintendent A. Griggs,
of the A. G. S., in regard to the condition
of the road.
John p DAILY, travelling passenger agent
OF the Missori, Kansas and Texas. with
headquarters in Atlanta was In the city
yesterday.
George Ely, travelling passenger agent
of the Southern Pacific with heedquar-
tiers In Atlanta was In Birmingham yes
Herday on business for his road, which
makes connection at New Orleans and
Shreveport with trains running through
birmingham.
Superintendent r. e. Brooks of the
South and North ana Birm' hgham Min
eral divisions of the Louisville and Nash
vile railroad, and J. r. Wheeler, who
was assistant superintendent of the same
division until he was recently promoted.
were out on the road north of Birming-
ham yesterday on tour of inspection.
The Queen and Crescent has issued an
other Cuba pamphlet obtaining views on
the island, which is a very handsome
affair The half tones are especially fine,
all of them being clear and showing
many typical scenes. The scenes are well
selected to show the charms of the is
land to the best advantage.
TIE pamphlet also contains much in
formation concerning the island, the rates
and the various routes. Scenes along the
Queen and Crescent are shown.
One of the most peculiar railroads in
the world is about to be built in Florida
The Florida East Coast Railroad COM
many is about to build an extension of
Its line from it's southern terminus at Mi
ami to Key West, 1856 miles. I ais extern
sion will be both unique in its conception
and novel In it's proposed construction.
The Florida East Coast railroad, as Is
well known, is the personal property or
Henry M Flagler, and Is located on the
eastern rim of the state or Florida, where
It is for the greater part of Its length
In sight OF the waters OF the Atlahtc
ocean.
= Mr. FIapler has for some time been
anxious to reach nearer point to Ha-
wilma with his railroad. and to this end
had a survey made from Miami across
the UNEMPLOYED portion of Florida to Cape
Sable After this survey was made he
decided that this line was not feasible.
and he therefore made survey along
4he coast and the keys to Key West.
He now proposes to build an extension
south from Miami across to Key Largo
on the neck of land separating Baines
.ound from Blackwater sound, and run
ming thence along Key Largo, Long key,
IIpper and Lower Mattecumbe and other
keys to Key West.
These Florida keys are coral ridges,
most of them containing lake in the
center and covered with a thin soil and
1uxuriant vegetation. Some are scarcely
above high water, and are only man
grove thicket. Others are inhabited and
cultivated, and some contain wells or
.prings of fresh water. Outside these
views runs the Florida reef, another coral
reef that does not reach the surface OF
the water. Between them is the Hawk
channel. which is used by medium sized
vessels.
Most of the channels connecting the in
side massage with the Hawk channel are
ANAL and shallow. AS these keys are ex-
rosed to the full fury of the tropical
storms the work will involve a large
amount Of filling on the coral rock foun-
dation.
Anproximately thirty-five miles of the
line will be over water and the balance
aver keys partly rock and partly sub
merged.
Most Of the keys are destitute of soil,
and the only material available nearby
for filling is that found in the bars and
shoals of pulverized sea shell formed near
the keys An examination OF the coast
charts shows that the building of a road
with grade feet above mean low tide
would require about 10000 cubic yards
Of material per mile
AT present there are three parties in the
6ed locating this line. They are in
charge of J. c. Meredith. engineer of con-
struction, whose headquarters are at
Miami. Fla. From the terminus at Key
West it is proposed to run boats to Ha-
vana. eighty-five miles. 1t is proposed
to build these ferry boats large enough
to carry freight trains.
KILLING Was Accidental.