The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-16
NEW LINE OPENS
 WITHOUT M|SHAP Trains From Terminal Sta- tion Are Sent Out Over
 Twenty-Seventh St.

Without the slightest mishap. and with
 a half score railroad officials as onloolSers.
 four railroad systems entering Birming-
 ham underwent a very important change yesterday when the new Twenty-seventh street route was opened officially.
 The Seminole limited of the Illinois Gen. tral was the first train to go over the new route and it carried the officials. among whom were A. D. Lightner. gen. eral executive agent for the Frisco lines; E. F. Stovall of the Illinois Central; J. J. Gavan, superintendent of the Illinois Cen tral; M A. Ramsay, superintendent of the Central of Georgia: J. H. Jackson, superintendent of the Frisco; Capt J. R.
 McGregor of the F risco; l.. c. Jones, Ter
 mnal station master, and other ofticisse.i The new route is of the same length as the old route of operating Frisco trains Unto Birmingham through a portion of Fountain Heights. However, the trains operating yesterday required more time to
 make the run to East Thomas junction. The Frisco Southeastern limited, leaving here at 1920 D. m., was the second train to go over the new route. Ordinarily that
 train runs to the junction in 1s minutes
 Yesterday 1t required 19 minutes. The
 Seminole limited is due at East Thomas junction at the expiration of IA minutes from Birmingham. On the trial trip 2s minutes were required. The delays were caused, 1t was announced, by the slow operation on the first trip The trials were operated with pilot engines which vent necessarily slow.
 The officials accompanying the Semi- nole limited were very much pleased with the new route yesterday, as only four grade crossings are located on the new line. These are isolated to consider able degree and will be of little worry to the officials. The old way consisted of grade crossings through a populous part of the north side.
 A. D. Lightner. general agent for the Frisco, said yesterday that in order to further reduce the grade crossing dangers of operating into Birmingham. the cross ings affected by the new route would be protected. He announced that signals will be installed at the crossings and in this way the danger will be completely taken away. The grade crossing signals to be provided in the isolated territory will enable the steam trains to operate with out stopping, while the electric cars will be forced to stop when train is en route over the crossing.
 'There is no man in Birmingham, either official or private citizen, who Is moro interested in reducing the grade crossing danger than l." said MT. Lightner. Ana I have made a considerable study of the situation existing here and else- where I intend to do all that I can on the new Twenty-seventh street line to reduce the possibilities of danger, even on that line. By the new plan the dangers : are far away and less than in the old grade signals which will, l believe. com pletely eliminate danger
 ''The opening of the new line was with out the slightest hitch. The trains of the Frisco, Illinois Central and Central of Georgia went through finely. The Soutn- ern railway will also us that line for cals were very much pleased with tAe new route. I am sure the residents of Norwood and the north side, at least from the Jewish cemetery to Twenty-seventh street, will see the advantages of the new route over the old one."