Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-11-04
Some Rumors About The
W.. F. & G. Ry.

There have been some statements pub
lished in the daily papers concerning the
possible consolidation of the w.. F. 4 u.
and the Frederick and Middletown Rail-
roads. The knowledge possessed by us
on this subject is to the effect that the
w., F. & G., or interests friendly to
them, have purchased about thirty acres
of land on the east side of Frederick
from Fourth Street through to the Bal
timore and Washington White Cross Milk
plant at the B. & O. Railroad
Arrangements are being perfected look
ing toward traffic exchange between
the Mddletown road and the w., F. &
G. Railway.
The Middletown road may erect new
powerhouse which will be large enough
in capacity to furnish whatever electric
ity the w., F. & G. may need either for
the electritication of Fourth Street. in
Frederick alone, or for the whole line as
may sometime in the future be determin-
ed.
In addition to the new powerhouse to
be built by the Middletown road. surveys
have been made for the extension Of the
line from jefferson to Brunswick, a dis
lance of seven miles, which in all proba-
bility will be built in the near future,
provided the people of Frederick and
Brunswick and thecountry through which
this road will pass, show willingness to
help to build the same. The w., F. &
G. road will likewise extend their con-
nection Thurmont to Emmitsburg stimuli
taneously with the building of the line to
Brunswick, under similar conditions.
The w., F. & G. necessarily will re-
main under any condition to be steam
operated railroad, even though electricity
is placed on part or all of the same.
The plan would follow that of the Dills-
burg branch of the Cumberland Valley
Railroad, " hich operates their road with
electricity for passengers and by steam
for freight, the trolley wire being placed
% feet above the track. which gives the
proper clearance for freight purposes.
In the operation of the Catoctin mines
and in the exchange of business with the
Western Maryland railroad it will be re-
quired to operate with steam, and while
this is being DONE the chances are the
freight would be taken care Of by steam
and the passengers by electricity.
The w., F. & G. is growing more pop
ular every day with the people of Fred
erick Their ability to place freight in
competition with the B. &. 0. is highly
appreciated, as the facilities offered are
very much better than the merchants
have heretofore had, and they feel that
they will not be subjected again to the
domination of one railroad.
The Business Mems Association of
Frederick, an organization which is sup
posed to have for its object the better
ment of the business conditions of Fred
erick, seem to be totally blind to the
possibilities of the w., F. & &. as a rail-
road that will.be able to take care of any
and all business in Frederick City thro'
their connections with the Western Ma
ryland and other roads.
A great deal has been said in the papers
about their efforts with the Pennsylvania
and B. & O. for lettering the facilities
for reception of freight, entirely disrc-
garding the fact that the w.. F. & G.
enters the town at all The day is not
far distant when the w., F. & G. Rail
way will play an important part of the
railroad business of Frederick City.