p. 263 | CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 22, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 17

CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD.

THERE is possibly no link in the great railway chain, stretching across the American Continent, from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific slope, that forms so material a part of that great continental railroad and is of such importance as the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, running from the metropolis, Chicago, to the Missouri River at Omaha. In its construction from Chicago westward it was the first to connect with the Union Pacific, virtually making that road practicable, and well deserves the title it won of the “Old Pioneer.” It had hard work as it forced its way over the then unsettled but fertile prairies of the States of Illinois and Iowa, but being the shorter or inside route, and actually having less gradients or curvatures than its rivals to Council Bluffs, its records show achievements in speed, safety, regularity and reliability unsurpassed, if equaled, by any competing line.

Its improvements in the last two or three years have been simply remarkable, and the changes the most wonderful ever wrought in the East or West, in its roadway, rails and general equipment. It is now strictly first class, the model railroad, gravel ballasted, with steel rails, stone culverts, iron bridges, white oak ties, superior engines, airy and elegant coaches, supplied with the Miller couplings and Westinghouse steam brakes and attachments, in the shape of what have been called “marvels of splendor,” the Pullman palace hotel cars, in which the traveler eats and sleeps in the most luxurious apartments, with all the comforts and conveniences of a well stocked home. The matchless tracks and the scientific outfit of this road are triumphs of art in railway construction. But in addition to its excellency of construction, it enjoys the signal advantages of natural location, and a management that, from the highest official to the most subordinate employee, most sedulously cares for the convenience and satisfaction of its patrons. During the past year it was without a terminal detention, and such is the increase of its freight and travel that a double track is necessitated. The development of the road is marvelous—iron rails in 1865, steel rails in 1875, and steel rails and a double track in 1879.—N. Y. Daily Graphic.