The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-11
WELDON V|ADUCT
OVER THE ROANOKE
The Atlantic Coast Lines Great
Improvement Where 1t Enters
North Carolina.
NO MORE DELAYS AT WELDON
Steel Structure 1888 Feet Long
Crossing River and Part
OF Town.
NO MORE DELAYS AT WELDON

The Atlantic Coast Line has recently
completed and put into operation three
and one-half miles of new main line
between Gary, y. c.. ana Weldon.
eighty miles south of Richmond, the
principal feature OF which is the Wei
don viaduct across the Roanoke River
In former years the old Petersburg
Railroad. which connected with the
Wilmington and Weldon Railroad at
Weldon. crossed the Roanoke River on
bridge of its own, but this was de-
stroyed. and an agreement was entered
into with the Seaboard and Roanoke
Railroad. whereby, instead of rebuild
ing, the Petersburg Railroad would
operate over the tracks of the former
from Gary, \. c., into Weldon. to Its
Wilmington and Weldon connection. In
'ater years. the Seaboard aHl Roanoke
vas absorbed by the Seaboard Air Line
and the Petersburg Railroad and the
Wilmington and Weldon became n part
Of the main line of the Atlantic Coast
Line. but the same joint operating ar
;angement was continued until 1909
when it was decided. by mutual agree
nent. to terminate it.
Many Things to Consider.
In determining the best location for
the Atlantic Coast Lines new line,
consideration was given to the inter
SuoHSc VI passengers. baSRaEc. express
and freight with the Seaboard Air Line
at Weldon. the avoidance OF grade
crossing with the Seaboard and grade
highway crossings in the town Of
Weldon. the danger from high water
III the Roanoke River and the reduc-
ton of maximum grades. y line which
had been surveyed some years before
VAS adopted without change, the
only undesirable feature il contained
thp tychnnP-iu
passengers, baggage and express at
different levels, and this could not be
avoided without sacrificing the other
advantages y new union station, or
dered at this time by the State Rail
road Commission. was given equal con
siderat ton with the rest OF the work
and located where the exchange be
tween the two roads could be handled
with the least trouble.
The line adopted is above grade
through tn, town of Weldon and over
the Scaboard tracks with undergrad,
highway crossings at First. Second
Third and Sixth Streets 1t is double.
track except through the viaduct sec
tion. and has a maximum grade OF
% per cent. The depot was located
in the angle OF intersection of 'tho
two roads on the level Of and parallel
10 the Seahoard tracks. with a stair
way and electric baggage and express
elevator TO the Atlantic Coast Line
platform above, on which will cventu-
ally be placed inclosed waiting rooms
and an umbrella shed.
Electrical Machinery.
The gauntlet and all switches In
main line tracks, at the south end OF
the Weldon yard, are controlled by n
30-lever electro me chanical interlock-
ing plant of the latest type. located
at the south end OF the yard All home
signals are semi automat!c. power OPP
Grated. Of the three position upper
right hand type. Movements from
stop to caution are controlled by cleo
trio levers built above and intcrlock ed
with mechanical levers The move
mcnt from caution to proceed posi-
tfon is automatic. and is governed by
the indication OF the first signal in
advance. All other units arc pipe con-
pected. Approach and home indica-
tors. to announce the presence of
trains on the main line tracks; back
approach and route locking are ON
ployed. The tower and lead out are
supported on cNcrete foundation and
steel frame, thus eliminating all wood
The vladuct is steel structure
3,6SS feet long with separate girder
spans over Third and Sixth Streets
CONTINUED on Tkird page.)