Cayton's weekly. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1916-1921, 1918-03-02

NO one can realize Uno UfldlS, the ODSCd-
cles and the difficulties these early rail
road builders had to meet, endure and
ovcrcome The experience Of the English
in railroad building was not Of much bene-
fit to railroad builders in this country
Railroad building here was then practically
a new experience nearly all were laid with
heavy timbers, having a strip of hardwood
scantling fastened on the top and covered
by a strop of iron for the rail.
There were no facilities for the manu-
factlre of heavy iron rails then, and for
a long time afterwards in America. All
such rails were imported from England
Robert L. Stevens of Hoboken, New Jer-
scy. invented what is called the ''T'' rail
in 1890, and it was the first laid on the
Camden and Amboy railroad, but was not
manufactured in America for fifteen years
later The MontOur Mill at Danville, Penn
svvania manufactured some of these rails
in 1915, and from this time it began to be
adopted on the railroads of the country
and came directly following into general
use.
Reliable figures are given which show
that in 1913 there had been 4185 miles of
railroad built and completed in the United
States, and few hundred miles more pro-
jected.
The years between 1923 and 1915 may
be designated as the pioneer period of rail-
road building in America The modern
railroad with it's general equi pments Of the
present day cars and locomotives had been
then substantially established. The building
of railroads into new and unsettled portions
of the country from the later date were all
upon the lines and principles already
worked out and established and while the
builders met with many difficulties and had
many obstacles to overcome as must al
ways be the case whenever a railroad is
projected through a new country, the pio-
neer stage was, and is, passed never to
return.
The people everywhere in the portion
that was then the settled part of the coun-
try began in about the year 1927 to be
greatly interested in the subject of rail
roads and railroad building The interest
was, as matter of course, coupled with
many doubts and fears of failure, but the
fears and doubts were disconnected and
set aside by the more resolute and de-
termined.
The interest grew into excitement and in
about the year 1880 and through the 3O's
the whole country was wild with it's pro-
jects Of railroad building and in many
places worked itself into contest that
developed bitter warfare between oppos-
ing interests and forces.
IL one nall the railroad pfOJeclS OF J1dC
day had materialized into an actuality the
country would long ago have been covered
in nearly every conceivable section with
railroads. Many Of the roads projected
were mere wildcat" schemes, and others
were simply visionary projects and fell out
for want of support and still others were
then impractical undertakings; while con-
siderable number were completed, some Of
which now form part of the great trunk
lines that span the country from ocean to
ocean.
The people who had the greatest interest
in the building and maintenance of rail
roads in these early days were moved mainly
by four particulars of consideration, name
ly:
First-To secure an easy, smooth and level
road for hauling and transporting heavy
materials, such as building stone and coal,
conveniently and economically, short dis
tances from points inland to navigation
with horse and mule power