Here is a link to the B&M route map as it was in 1898. The map file is over 16 woo woo woo, but it downloads fairly quickly. Being a .jpg file, it can be viewed and expanded by almost any image software. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:1898_Boston_and_Maine_Railroad.jpg The Maine Central also is shown in red as part of the overall B&M system. Although MEC was operated as an independent railroad for accounting purposes, it was always an equal partner in the B&M Corporation. Many of the smaller companies acquired by the B&M before 1898 are still identified by their pre-acquisition names. On the other hand, the Fitchburg Railroad is shown as an idependent company, even though it was B&M's only direct route to New York State. I believe the B&M officially acquired the Fitchburg in 1904, or there abouts.
It's amazing to think that railroads were the ONLY mass transportation in the US 100 years ago. Just considering northern New England, they seemed to go everywhere. I can't imagine what maps of the mid-west would have looked like during the same period.
I too was quite surprised by the extent of the spider web. I guess I shouldn't be, because I've hiked along or across many abandoned roadbeds in New England.
There still is a station in New Durham, NH about 10 miles north of Rochester, in a field next to NH Route 11. The station is now a home, but the owner still has the Train Order Semaphores next to the Station Master's bay window. New Durham was served by the line that went from Rochester, through Alton Bay, to Lakeport. Between Alton Bay and Lakeport, the line followed the shoreline of Lake Winnipesaukee and parts of the ROW are still obvious between the many motels and cottages.
Anyone ever hear of the "Sylvester Wheel" used on the Boston & Maine RR? It may have been one of the hard pressed paper wheels experimented with in an attempt to deaden some of the sound, but I have only heard the Sylvester Wheel mentioned by an old former engineer who is now deceased.
Wayne, it's possible that the "Sylvester Wheel" had something to do with Sylvester Marsh, the developer of the Mt Washington, NH Cog Railway. This is just a supposition, but I can't find anything else that even comes close. The "Cog", which opened in July, 1869, was the first cog, or rack, railway in the US. It was served by Boston & Maine's Bretton Woods, NH station. A brief history of the Cog may be found at http://www.mountwashington.com/cog/
Hytec, It turns out that you are correct! Early "Cog" wheels became known as "Sylvester Wheels" only up in Maine. It seems the clock industry, heavy machinery such as Water Wheels, Hoists, Cranes, Derricks, Wind Mills, (and Horse or Ox Mills), all had used a form of Cogs for many years before, when they were referred to as "Cogged Wheels". Cogs were made with hard wood or iron round dowels mounted between two round plates. These were usually the 'driving' Cog, (or gear), that meshed with upright pegs or dowels mounted in a larger wheel at 90° to the rotation of the Cog wheel. (We call this 'Angle' or 'Mitered' gears today). 'Cogs' did not have to be made with precision. They were often made by hand, but no matter how well they were fitted up, it was found they do not work well in a 'spur' gear configuration however, because the theory of carving an involute shape to the teeth was not understood. It was Mr. Marsh's invention of combining a 'Spur Gear' meshing with a linear 'Cogged Rack', was what made it effective for the train. (A Cogged Rack was also called a 'Ladder Track' because of its appearance). He reversed the 'drive' from the Cog wheel, to a Spur Gear, making it possible to have a Spur 'Cog' wheel successfully mesh with what amounted to another Spur Cog who's circumference was straightened out flat in the shape of a Rack. The Rack laid between the rails, was made with two long plates with round dowels mounted between them, that made this system work. He made the dowels free to rotate which reduced friction, and allowed the 'teeth' on his spur gear, (usually called a 'Bull Gear'), to wear much longer, and allowed the teeth on the 'Sylvester' wheel to be more robust to prevent its teeth from breaking off. Cog drives were also used on some farm machinery until better metals and machinery that could accurately machine an 'involute' tooth shape came along. Gears with the involute tooth shape ran quieter than the older style Cog wheels which made a terrific racket when in operation, and could be operated only at relatively slow speeds. The term Cog and Gear were used interchangeably up as late as the 1930's.
Thanks Wayne, that's great info. As a point of interest, the Mt. Washington COG was the FIRST cog railway in the World. Apparently Sylvester Marsh solved a pretty vexing problem with his "wheel".
