Year: 1868

| in the construction of the roaa -.
er degrt in its maintenance VIII, " great


ed. A very material gain may he aus .i
effected in the economical and eomnaSo.,I mus


safe working OF trains over the read anh ~


rendering it acc assible to settlers in tha So IN


valley and their freight.


That there may be no misapprehension about


our suggestion of change of grade, we ask


leave to render here our testimony to and need


of admiration for the boldpess of thought in


the engineer and the skill and indomtable


energy OF the assistant by whom the survey


was conducted through the SHOWS and inclem-


encies of our clustering month of March


The question of possibility was thus settled


and we hope and believe that our adoption OF


a quicker descending grade will meet the ap-


proval of those engineers. Nor do We claim


any originality of conception or especial sa-


gacity in this, for we apprehend its occurrence


M " lne mirds of both those gentlemen subse-


quent 10 ther survey, as we think it must


" thas vi any civil engineer aware OF the
SHARP anu continuous grades which have been
auu are now successfully worked OJer by loco
motlVe engines on roads of heavy traffic in
our own country. Were this the time and
place for an argument we think il would he
easy to demonstrate the greater advantages of
as steep an incline in this road bed as the
proper balancing of power and speed in the
machines against immediate and future ex-
pense in the way upon which the y would oper-
ate, might indicate.


In considering the practical working over
thIs steep ascent demanding additional power
to that which shall move trains to it, the
mind at once embraces the fact that its loca-
ton VIII be at very favorable point of dis
tahce from Portland, a Stretch" Of sixty miles
being as long as should be run over by a loco
motive engine, which would in this case be
suited t. the lighter ruling grades of the divis-
ion from Portland to Lawrence's or thereaLout
Wherever the heavy work may commence and
there moving it INTO the stable over its PIT to
De cooled of and cared for by its operatives
who themselves would here require relief
rom way duty, Another machine of power
NJ Tor the required work may replace it, which
'ah operate over this most interesting portion
d 4 w hte Mountain tour at a rate of speed
with the greatest economy, to the
qualification of tourists, and to the
perfect satisfaction of business men be-
'ause they may feel assured of running ON
lme; I; lso in the transport of freight the ques-
ion IS not so much of hours as a certainty
lbout the day of arrival. No breaking Of
trains is here involved; only an application of
additional power, in manner analogous to
that so frequently resorted to on common roads
where difficult place is encountered 1.-THE
team is increased and allowed time to over
come it. Here the heavy engines may draw
he "out train" through the gate of the notch,
meet the lin train" at the Crawford House,
lescend to the foot of the corresponding
teep incline of the other side; there give
'lace to an engine suited to the ruling grades
# the succeeding "stretch" and then be NOV
d to the engine house TO be put in readiness
or the next Sin train"