Elmira and Seneca Lake Railway
The line passed through a well-settled country and the villages of Pine Valley and Millport, and left the private right of way on reaching the town of Montour Falls.
When this route was projected, it was with many doubts as to the ultimate completion of the road, but the officials of the railway company after thoroughly examining the field decided to award the contract for designing, constructing and equipping the road to the American Engineering Co., of Philadelphia, which immediately prepared plans and specifications and commenced grading for the roadbed.
Exposed parts of ties and also the notches were treated with two coats of red lead to prevent absorption of moisture.
Side poles were 30 feet (9.1 m) in length, 7 inches (18 cm) at the top, with seamless steel bracket arms supporting clips for suspension wire, having the overhead wire supported from an eyebolt attached to the top of the pole.
00 grooved section, hung on insulators with the General Electric Co's, special mechanical clip for this pattern of wire.
[1] The power house was a brick building on a stone foundation laid in cement mortar.
This type was one of a complete series made by the company and has been specially designed to give satisfactory and efficient service under the following conditions: Steady, or if required, varying load; belted or direct connected to the generators; exhaust either free to atmosphere, or, if unavoidable, subjected lo back pressure; steam pressure from 70 to 100 lb; low-priced attendants; units from 75 to 700 h.p.
The valve gear was made as simple as possible and close adjustment could be secured so that in operation there was no clattering or noisy vibration.
The steam piping, which was completed under the direction of Mr. A. C. Thompson, consisted of a main header with a branch for each engine turned from it and a Bundy automatic trap for returning hot water drippings to the boilers.
The stack was 125 feet (38 m) high: it was of steel, brick lined, and titled with lightning rods.
Water for the plant was secured by damming a branch of Catharine River and laying a pipe with natural gravity flow to a well in the boiler room.
The water dammed back being on the company's property, it was planned to be used as a resort for picnicking in summer and skating in winter.
They were equipped with four G. E. 1.000 motors, K-11 controllers, Christenson automatic air brakes, and Wagenhals arc headlights.
They were lighted with four five-light clusters of handsome design; these cars were fitted with electric push buttons.
The cars were painted Pullman green with gold striping and each had the name of one of the towns on the route as well as the number.
[1] After the inspection and opening trip those present enjoyed an elaborate banquet at the Rathbun House, Elmira, as guests of the American Engineering Co.
The people along the line of route have shown their appreciation by their generous patronage, the present equipment being taxed to its utmost capacity since the opening of the road.
