Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1876 — Cost of Narrow-Gauge Railways. [ARTICLE]

Cost of Narrow-Gauge Railways.

The average cost of the harrow or threefo«t gauge railway* in the Hailed goatee he* been less than 812,000 per wile. In fact their cost per mile Is less than ono-half the btfnded'debi per mile ofoyr standard-gauge roads. Tlie grading costs leas because the road-bed is narrower. The narrow gauge enn use sharper curves than the standard, end hence from Its greater flexibility can be more easily and cheaply fitted to the face ofthe country. Using sharper curves it saves largely in eutt and nils. A largo saving is also effected in the superstructure or traok. The narrow gauge uses a cross-tic six feet long ; .tlie standard eight feet long. The standard gauge uses a rail weighing from fifty to soventy pounds per yard ; the narrow gauge from thirty to forty pounds. A corresponding saving is effected in the joint* fastenings ami spikes. The standard-gauge locomotive weighs from twenty to forty tons.jindjßOSts Ijoni §IO,OOO to 12,000. The narrow gauge weighs from ten to twenty tons, and costs from s.’>,ooo to s7,ot>o. The standard passpnger Coach weighs, from thirty-six to fifty thousand pounds, seats fifty-six passengers, and costs from $4,000 to SO,OOO, while tho nnrrow-gauge couch weighs only from twolvo to sixteen thousand pounds, seats thirty-six passeugers, and costs from $2,000 to SB,OOO. There is about the saroo relative difference in the weight and cost of freight rolling-stock, the narrow gauge being much the lightest, and carrying a much larger percentage of paying freight to.dead weight than the standard gauge. Ihe narrow gauge costs, equipped, only about one-half as much os they should have cost. The wear and tear of the norrow gauge is less, because its machinery and lolling-stoek are much lighter. The wear UDd tear being lew, the cost of repairs is largely reduced. Its machinery and roll-ing-stock being smuller and lighter, u corresponding saving is made iu the site of repair-shops, stationary and shop machinery for repairs. In the track department, one man cun handle a cross-tie. The standard gauge . requires two men. Two men ean handle a nanow-guage rail, whereas it requires from five to six men to handle a broad-gauge rail. We find then that the narrow gauge effects a saving in the roudrbtd, bridges, cross-lies, rails and fastenings; a saving in tlie weiffit" and coßt of machinery and rolling stock, and a consequent saving in wear and tear; » saving in the extent of repair-sh'ops and machinery in the same, and a saving in material for repairs. This saving commences with the construction of the roadbed, and continues throughout tho whole system, both in construction and operation, and is perpetual. In a word, the small cost of the narrow gauge, its light operating expenses and small interest accouut, enable it to answer the universal demand for cheaper railway transportations, and hence its rapidly increasing popularity with the general public, especially for local purposes. It is peculiarly adapted for side Hues, coal roads and local deveiopemenl where the standard gauge, from its greater cost, heavier operating expenses, larger interest account nud necessarily higher rates, would render im-provements-of this character impracticable. The saving in interest account in favor of the cheaper road is a large and important item, for whether it be large or small the patrons of the road have it to pay.— Indianapolis Journal.

Mr. B. J. Yeoman complains that his name appeared in Mrs. Switzer’s report of Center Creek school as a pupil, when the fact is that be is not a pupil anywhere. In the absence of the original manuscript there is no other wav but to aylpowledge the mistake our own, and apologise with the best grace possible. Miss Era IlAlstead, teacher, reports for school number 3 of Marion township, for the month which ended February 11th, an enrollment of 36 scholars, with an average daily attendance of 34J. Perfect in attendance, punctuality and deportment, IdaGwin, Josie Piirkison, Emma Gwin, Stella Johnson, Allto Johnson* Euphemia McDonald, Maggie Kays, Evalyn Parkison, Minnie MeConald, Cyrus Burget, Thomas Moora, Alice McDonald, Frank Johnson, Samuel Coons and. Harry Coons. Miss Ada Stmyerreports forthe primary department of the Kcnsselaer school an enrollment of 48 'pupils for the month which ended January 7th, and average daily attendance of 43. Those who were perfect in attendance and punctuality aro David Platt, Freddie Cissel, Lida Belle Kelley, Ella Everson, Lee Catt, Marry Zimmerman, Mattie Wordon, Crilly Hutson, Sarah Tuteur, Tra Hutson, Gaylord Chilcote, Bertie Hopkins, Frank Cissel, Eddie Hopkins, George Htrobla, CharlesStroble, Artio Hopkins, Finnic Woqd. David Warner gnd Eddie DuVali. If i »• 1 ‘ ■HIF ’-;- ' -f- Ai— : ;..V"*TSßfc3 ‘“'H

An interesting letter from Mr. Ludd Hopkins In California, is left over until next week. There was lively Ridding u( the lex land saloa Monday. Every piece was sold, and the whole buaineaa completed before noon. Mra 0. B. Chappell aged about 40 yean, died at Remington the Oth instant j and a email ebild of Uev. W. li. Ueitdryx died the 7th. > Nino persona were lmmoraed by Rev. D. J. Huston, of the Haptist church, laat Sunday. A ton and daughter of Mr,. 11. C. Hruce, two eoua and a daughter of Rev. D. J. lluaton, two daughtcra of Mr. J. 0. Weathers, a ion of Mr. 0. W. Terhunc, and Miss Ada Stray er, primary teacher In the publie schools of Rensselaer. Mr. P. M. Querry, toacher, reports for Vernon school (Gillam Ifo. 4) for month ending February 4th, an enrollment of SO scholars, and an average daily attendance of 37.(1. Those perfect in punctuality and attendance were Georgo Dunn, William F. Querry, Joseph Lebold, Lewis heboid, John heboid, William L. Querry, William Evans, Bertie Dunn. Jane Newcomb, hiszio Lebold, Minnie DunV Rosa Pullias and Celia Comer. Dr. Ira C. Kelley has returned from ilia western trip, and will remain at home until the first of May, when he goes to New York city, probably to be absent nearly all summer. He reports excellent success in introducing the patent dental plaje.fastener among the profession in Chicago. 'Springfield, and other cities in Illinois, St. Louis. Those desiring anything in the dental or photographic line will leave their orders at an early day in order to secure prompt attention.