Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1894 — The Steepest Railroad Grade. [ARTICLE]

The Steepest Railroad Grade.

Much has been written about the construction of the mountain divisions of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in Colorado and the wonderful engineering skill displayed in ascending the California mountains south of Tulare Valley through Tehachapi Pass. But after all this, the little feeder of the Leadville division of the Rio Grande exceeds all other roads in its steep grades and short curves. When the line first went into operation many accidents occurred by the trains breaking away at the top and running back down the steep grades, wrecking locomotivesand cars and destroying limbs and sometimes lives. Later, however, extremely heavy locomotives have been built and the most skillful and the bravest train hands are employed, who never flinch in the supreme moment of danger. The result has been that accidents now seldom occur. It is said that the sight of one of these trains descending is one of thrilling interest, the sparks from the car-wheels cutting a pathway of light down the mountains which can best be described as having the appearance of a molten stream of fire rushing down to the river bed of the canyon.