The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1913-04-19
.S.P. AND W.P. MAY
EXCHANGE TRACKS

In an effort to save what has been
approximated at $10,000,000 in
double-tracking work, the Southern
Pacific company is preparing ia sub
nit to the Western Pacific a PROPOSE
tion whereby it will be enabled to use
the Western Paeifc's tracks between
Winnemueca and Wells, Nevada, a
distance of approximately 200 miles,
says Thursdays Chronicle.
The proposition has not yet been
submitted to the Western Pacific.
but according to word received from
New York yesterday at the offices of
the Gould road il the Mills building,
II will be presented by Julius Krutt
schnitt, chairman of the board of di-
reetors of the Southern Pacific, within
few days.
In its double-tracking work, the
Southern Pacific, thus far, has spent
millions in work between here and
Colfax, and also in the vicinity of
Truckee. In the mountainous regions
it has cost the company in some in
stances as high as $250,000 per mile
From Ogden westward very little
doubletrack work. comparatively
speaking, has been done although it is
the announced intention of the com
pany to donble-track the entire line
/ between here and Ogden by 1915.
Joint Use Proposed.
In considering this latter work. the
Southern Pacific suddenly discovered
that the cost would exceed the budget
allowance granted by the Hartman
directors. In casting about for an al
tentative to expedite traffic in 1915,
/ it hit upon the Western Pacific propo.
sition.
/ 1t is understood that the Southern
Pacific will propose the following to
the Western Pacific:
That the latter turn over its track
for joint use between Winnemucca and
Wells.
That the west bound traffic on both
roads be routed via the Southern Pa
cifie tracks and the east bound via the
Western Pacific tracks
| That each road pay to the other 21a
per cent of the maintenance and up
keep of each others line, and that the
cost of individual traffic be builded
upon wheelage basis.
In this respect. according to railroad
officials, the Southern Pacific will have
bargain par excellence if it succeeds
In putting it through.
Block Signals Required
| 1t is pointed out in railroad circles
that if the Western Pacific places
valuation of 81 100000 on its Wells
Winnemucca line and the Southern
places a vluation of $10,000,000 on
its own line between the same points,
the Western Pacific will be required
b =. q
ern Pacific. Furthermore, it is point /
ed out clause of the proposed con-
tract provides that the Western Pa
cific shall equip its -Winnemucea
line with automatic signaling devices,
such as are now in use on the Harri- |
man lines.
Railroad men point out, further
more, that although the Southern Pa
cifie s cost for use of the Western Pa
eific tracks would be high in eompari-
son to the Western upon a wheelage
basis, the difference between the
wheelage ratio and the difference be-
tween the cost of the Western Pacific
paying rental on higher-valued prop
ertv, occupied with the additional cost
of installing safety devices, would
leave the Western Pacific somewhat in
financial lurch This would be en- |
phasized by the Southern Pacific turn
ing ON to its own double track at Win
nemueca and at Wells, whereas the
Western Pacific would be continuing
on to its own track, single one.
This, however, is the opinion ex-
pressed in railroad circles. The of
ficials in a position to understand the
situation decline to discuss it for the
present The Western Pacific If is
said, is prepared to accept anything
it can get in the way of a double
track. Consequently, it is pointed out,
it is not unlikely that it will accept
the new proposition, even at the cost
of paying bonus in rental. The
double-traeking situation is one of
the most important before Southern
Pacific officials, who are anxious to
see it settled before the beginning of
an expected 1915 traffic.
The proposition is to be submitted
to the Western Pacific this week, ac-
eording to authentic information.
VieePresident f. f. Calvin, of the
Southern Pacific, declined to discuss
the matter. 1t was intimated by 9TH
Ell officials in the Flood building that
the present plan of the Southern Pa
cife is in accordance with a plan sub
mitted by the Oregon Short Line to
the Western Pacific number of
years ago When the Southern Pacific
acquired the Salt Lake division it ae-
cepted many improvement plans of
the Short Line, and that pertaining to
the Winnemueca- Wells line of the
Western Pacific was among them.
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