The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-17
The Contract for Union Pacific
Work Is Let.
Double Track Construction to
Begin at Once.
KANSAS CITY-TOPEKA
Work on MarysviIle Branch Will
Begin Later.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
In Railroad Circles.

The contract for the building of the
second track of the Union Pacific rail-
road between Kansas City and Topeka
has been awarded to w. c. Bradbury
of Denver. He will build 81 miles of
track, converting the present single
track between Kansas City and To-
peka to a double track system. Under
the present arrangement the double
track system will be used by both the
Union Pacific and the Rock Island
systems.
simultaneously with the closing of
the contract with Mr.. Bradbury. the
contract for the building of the cutoff
between Topeka and MafySVllIe was
let to KiIpatrick Bros. & Collins, of
Beatrice, Neb. The construction of
this cutoff is the first step for a shorter
transeontin mental line from Kansas City
to the coast.
The building of the double track
between Kansas City and Topeka will
relieve the most congested piece oil
railroad track IN western railroad ter
ritory The Rock Island recently re-
neWed its lease with the Union Pacific
rothe use of the latter's tracks be-
tween Kansas City and Topeka, with
the understanding that the line was
to be double tracked. Mr.. Bradbury
will begin the work of laying the sec
ond track at once. The construction
will be of the best and most modern
type and S5-pound steel rails will be
uSeQ- Inc 81 miles between Kansas
City and Topeka will be equipped with
the electric block signal system.
It has been reported that operations
along the line of the proposed cutoff
have been delayed on account of the
attitude of property owners who. it is
said, are trying to get holdup prices
for the land necessary to form the
right of way for the railroad.
Ex-senator Andrew Shearer, of
Marysville, was in Topeka and he gave
a reporter for the State Journal the
information that the report was in
correct.
ITO the best of my knowledge said
Mr.. Shearer, there has not been a
foot of land bought for the right of
way through Marshall and Pottawa-
tonne counties. And it is not because
the farmers have been trying to get
high prices for their land. I have
made some investigation and I do not
know of a farmer who has had an.
offer on the land for the right of way.
1--WE do not want it to appear that
the road is being held up and the
building of it delayed on our account.
In that section of the country we are
all in favor of the new road. We want
it, and there is no disposition so far
as I know to hinder the work.
$50 far the railroad has been very
generous. The surveyors have paid
literally for everything needed in run
ming the surveys. On my farm, for
instance, the surveyors ran five diff
ferent lines, part of them through my
cornfields. To survey a line through
a cornfeld necessitates cutting a path
about four feet wide through the field.
Well, it took five paths through my
farm, but they were voluntarily very
liberal in their settlement for the loss
of that portion of my crop. 1t has been
the same way all through that sec
ton, and so far as I know only the
frien dliest of feeling is expressed in
regard to the Union Pacific project.
IT has been renOrted that the right of
way has all been secured but about
16 miles near Onaga. But if half of
the right of way is already acquired
I don't know it.
ssThe surveyors did fine work, and
when the line is built there won't be
a better line any place At no point
will the grade be more than IS feet
to the mile which is only a tFif1e over
half of 1 per cent, and the line is
practically a straight line from one
end to the other. 1t was exceptionally
fine surveying work which makes this
possible through that section of the
country, which is quite rough in
places.
The Grand Island railroad from st.
Joseph to Grand Island, Neb., has been
rebuilt by the laying of 80-pound steel
rails in place of the light rails formerly
in use.
This road will form a portion of the
transcontinentaI line of the Union Pa
cific when the Topeka to Marysville
branch is built. The Marysville branch
will be built with the heaviest of steel
rails, and great running time will be
possible
Through passenger and freight serv-
ice will be established from st. Louis
via Kansas City and Topeka to Marys-
vile and thence to Grand Island, Neb.,
and from that point west to the Union
Pacific to the coast. The same service
will be given to st. Joseph.