Allegheny Valley Railroad use glass insulators

The Alleghany Talley Railroad Telegraph.

PITTSBURG, PA., May 29.

THE railroad telegraph operators in this part of the country desire to express their gratification at the promised continued contributions of Mr. F. L. Pope upon railroad telegraphs. We know that in his hands the subject will be properly treated, and this important and increasing branch of telegraph interest will receive that careful and popular presentation to which it is entitled. If, in the course of his travels, Mr. Pope should visit this great industrial centre, he will find the telegraphic fraternity largely represented here, in all its different branches, and receive from us a cordial and hearty welcome.

The Allegheny Valley Railroad has a telegraph line from Pittsburg to Oil City, Pa., 132 miles in length. It has also a local wire from Pittsburg to Kittanning, Pa., a distance of 42 miles, making 174 miles of telegraph operated by the road, which owns them. By contract, however, the Western Union Telegraph Company have the privilege of doing commercial business over these wires.

The screw glass insulators are used, and work well in all kinds of weather, as much care is taken to keep them in good repair. The wires follow the course of the river. Mr. S. M. Adams, who has charge of the repairs of the line, is stationed at Brady's Bend, and has charge of the Western Union wires on the same route. He is prompt and efficient, and takes pride in keeping his wires in the best possible condition. On the main line, including the Western Union offices at Pittsburg and Oil City, there are twenty offices, which are neat and comfortable, and are supplied with first class instruments from the works of Knox & Shain, Philadelphia. There are but two female operators on the line — Miss Foy, at Franklin, and Miss Corey, at Emlenton. Their influence upon the manners of the line is marked and beneficial. Two skilful operators recently employed in the Pittsburg office have resigned and accepted other railroad positions — Mr. M. M. Bratt as conductor of the Hulton accommodation train, and Mr. Jas. E. Lane as baggage master. May their new situations prove congenial and profitable. At Pittsburg Mr. J. B. Stewart is chief operator and train despatcher, and is the right man in the right place. Under his management the lines are well disciplined, the operators courteous, and there is a conspicuous absence of quarrelling and profanity, which are but too common in some quarter.

A striking and peculiar feature in railway telegraphy is train despatching, which, of late years, with the facilities afforded by the telegraph, has grown to be one of the most important departments of railroad service. Its object, of course, is to systematize the movements of trains, and secure safety, economy of time, and speed. The chart of a train despatcher, dotted with shifting marks, resembles the principal map of a war office in an important campaign. The position of train despatcher is one of continual and great responsibility. Life and property constantly depend upon the good habits, excellence of memory, coolness, and skill of the operator.

The Allegheny Valley Railroad is a thriving corporation, and avails itself of all the improvements and facilities which are available to increase its usefulness and business. Its connections have been completed through to Buffalo, N. Y., via the O. C. and A. R. and L. S. and M. S. Railways. Trains now run through without change, and traffic and travel over this route are rapidly increasing. M. H.