Last of the Broad Gauge – The New
York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad
Conforms to the Standard
The broad gauge of the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad is no more. In the bright light of this beautiful summer morning with each moving rail a change was wrought and in a few short hours the diligent hands of experienced workmen had transformed the Erie road from a broad gauge route to one of standard gauge. It was a matter of expediency, nothing more. A few years ago this fact was fully appreciated by the directors and managers of the road, and a third rail — allowing means of passage for both broad and standard cars –was placed on the main line. To-day an important step has been taken by the company. The road between this city and Corning has been narrowed from a width of six feet between the rails, to one of 4 ft. 8 1/2 inches, the standard gauge.
How It Was Done
As the Erie was the last railroad to submit to the “battle of the gauges,” some little interest may be excited as to the manner in which the change was made. For several months past extensive preparations leading to a rapid narrowing of the road have been going on. All along the line between Corning and Rochester, a distance of 94 miles, the measurements for the new gauge have been made. In fact the line had already once been laid before work was commenced this morning. The east rail was the one to be moved, and just 15 1/2 inches from the inside of this rail spikes had been set, throughout the entire distance, at intervals of time throughout the past two months. Mr. Canfield of Buffalo, Road-master, and Thomas Conners, Supervisor of Tracks, had thoughtfully and carefully made preliminary arrangements and G. E. Butterfield, stationmaster in this city, had changed the switches in and about the yard, thus completing the preparations for successful and speedy changing of the gauge. Last night the rolling stock of the road was all transferred to Corning.
The Last Train
Running on the broad gauge, drawn by engine number 11, B. Rogers, engineer, and A.S. Alexander, conductor, arrived in this city at thirty minutes past eleven and almost immediately returned to Corning. Between two and four o’clock this morning about 500 experienced workmen, employees of the Rochester, Buffalo, Susquehanna and Western Divisions, were distributed in gangs of six or eight each at equal intervals along the line of the road between this city and Corning. Strict orders were given to begin the work promptly at four o’clock and at that hour, all being in readiness, almost simultaneously each separate force of workmen began their allotted task. It was an interesting sight to one walking along the line of the railroad to see these men busy as beavers tearing up and rapidly replacing the rails. In each division the work was so arranged that it was carried on in the most systematic manner possible.
Perfect System
First came the men who skillfully and quickly withdrew the spikes, then followed swiftly those who moved the rail from its old position to the one destined for it alongside of the spikes already set, and last of all in quick succession came those who drive the spikes about the rail in its new place. The work progressed far more rapidly than one would readily believe, the rate of taking up and relaying the rails being about one mile in four hours as performed by each gang. By eight o’clock the whole distance of ninety-four miles had been transformed from a broad gauge to the standard measurement and the last victory of the standard width: 4 feet 8 1/2 inches, in the battle of the gauges in this country has been won. The first arrival this morning over the newly laid track was the “wild cat” train from Avon, drawn by engine 60, Frank Marsh engineer, and A.S. Alexander conductor. This train left Avon at 8:15 and reached this city at 11:45, being detained about an hour and a half at the Henrietta section; the only place along the route where the men laying the track had not done all that was expected of them. At a quarter before twelve o’clock the train from Corning, drawn by engine 35, in charge of Augustus Johnson engineer, and G.H. Brown conductor, reached its destination, thus proving the complete transformation of the road.
Although this train was an hour and forty minutes late running time had been made, the delay being occasioned by waiting at various stations for orders, the passengers on this train report a gala day all along the line. At each station crowds were assembled to welcome the train and great enthusiasm prevailed. Hats were thrown in the air, handkerchiefs were waved and cheers burst from the lips of many. The change is completed and general satisfaction prevails and great credit is due to both managers and men for the highly creditable manner in which this work has been accomplished.
Fish Plates and Spikes
- J.E. Butterfield and his men did some hard work yesterday.
- John Wieman is the Boss man to “fix” switches.
- The Hog (switch engine) left on Thursday morning at 5 o’clock never to return. The porcine locomotive, almost a historical machine, has done its duty.
- John English began at this end of the branch, with twenty men.
- Thirty men from Avon to Attica breakfasted at Mrs. Kelly’s hotel at half-past two o’clock this morning.
- V. Rogers, the well-known engineer, enjoyed the distinction of driving the last locomotive over the broad gauge. He “made the old gal scream” before leaving the city.
- Frank Marsh is the first engineer over the narrow gauge on the Rochester branch.
- Tom Ford wants a little more practice before he can draw a spike properly.
- It as amusing to see Dan Turner handle a crow bar yesterday.
- It was a big surprise to some of the boys on this end of the division to see themselves in the agony of perspiration.
- Joseph Bradt was out with his rail gang this morning and did splendid service.
- Tom Connors, the supervisor of the tracks, tough obliged to forego the pleasure of helping in the narrowing, on account of indisposibility, followed the work of the men in his mind and was almost well when he heard the scream of the last engine out on the broad.
Source: Rochester Union and Advertiser. Rochester, NY. Saturday, July 30, 1881. Provided by Richard Palmer