Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-07-12
THE MOUNT BLANC
ELECTRIC RAILWAY

| Tourist Will De aDle 10 TAKE llCh-
lets at Clearinghouse for the summit
of Mont Blanc in the near future.
French engineers have already con-
Istructed the permanent way as far
as Mont Lachat, 1000 feet in height,
THAT is nearly half way to the top
of Mont Blanc $4,000 feet), and as
soon as the rolling stock is purchased
and stations built the first portion
of the new line will be opened to
the public.
The other stations on the noun
Italn side are: Rognes, S135 feet;
Tete Rouse, 1850 feet; Aiguille
du Coulter, 10000 feet, and Dome du
Coulter, 13,473 feet. Up to a height
Of 1920 feet "a little over half way)
the railway will be in the open and
command magnificent views of AL
pine, scenery, glaciers, snowfields,
crevasses and precipices. From this
altitude to 1900 feet the trains
will pass through a gallery bored
through the mountain side, and hav-
ing frequent openings In the rock.
From 1900 feet TO the summit OF
Mont Blanc, over 1000 feet higher,
a tunnel will be driven under the
glaciers, so as to protect the line
from avalanches, which fall frequent
ly in this region during the winter
months. This last portion of the
line offers the greatest difficulties.
and II will take many years to con-
struct, but in the meantime a path
will be laid from the summit of the
Aiguille du Coulter to the top of
Mont Blanc, TO enable tourists to
reach the Roof of Europe by means
of sledges or on foot, without danger
or fatigue.
The Strub cog wheel system, which
has given such satisfactory results
on the Junfrau and other mountain
lines in Switzerland, will be employ |
ad on the new railway. Electric |
traction will be used, and the cost |
Df the motor force, once the electric |
stations are installed. will be prac-
ically nil on account of the numer-
'us waterfalls and mountain streams
which are TO be found in the imme-
Hate neighborhood OF the new funi-
.ular. The greatest grade will not
iurpass one in FIVE, allowing a speed
" four 10 five miles an hour to be
obtained without inconvenience to
he passengers, who will also be per-
nitted TO descend at any interme-
late station on the journey.
Every station will be fitted with
IN alright room containing oxygen
or those who suffer from mountain
ickness. Twelve trains day will
u run to the top OF Mont Blanc, and
he price OF return ticket will be
o francs (S2 shlllings). In case
he electricity failed. owing TO an
ccldent. powerful locomotives, work
d by petrol. will always be in readi-
ess to aid the stranded train.
The cost Of the new line as far as
ne Aiguille du Coulter Is estimated
$4,000, 700. and for the construc-
on OF the remainder of the line e2,-
10000 will suffice, The last sec
on of the railway. however, will not
e completed until the line COM :
fences to yield profits on the first '
'ctlon up TO the Aiguille du Coulter.
The line will give a great impetus ,
the hotel business. and II is ex-
ectbr that scores of hotels, villas,
la' Is, etc, will spring up at Fayet, u
!. Gervais and Chamonix. Specula-
'rs have been very busy. as 1t is, "
lying up all available land in these
sorts and on the slopes through C
hich the new line passes.-Geneya
'rrespondence Of London Standard. Il
------O--