A PERFECT RAILWAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3322, 24 November 1883, Page 3

A PERFECT RAILWAY.

A correspondent of the “ Chicago Herald ” writes as follows of the Stadtbahn, or city railway in Berlin ; —“ It’s the most perfect thing any city in the world has. Compared with Ibis system of elevated railroads there, those of New York look like toys. The main line of of this elevated railroad in Berlin, traverses the city through the entire length, and leads, of course, through the principal business streets. Then there is a ‘ guertelbahn,’ which encircles the whole city, as is the'easo in Paris. Now, the company had to buy its entire right-of-way, and a great many households had to be tom down, and it had to construct the road very substantially. Just imagine along white wall extending all this length, built very massively and yet not clumsily, the surface of which is probably about 30ft broad. There are depots at regular intervals, and these depots are, every one of them solid stone structures of very pretty designs. Underneath these depots, there is an arcade, which is rented, and which is being transformed in every instance into a restaurant, beer-garden, or store. It is deliciously cool and shady under these arcades, even*- on the hottest day. Gardens or small parks for public use, are generally connected with these places. When you are seated there,and a train passes by right over your head, the mason work is so thick that one hears but a low, rumbling sound. I hardly think this elevated lino is profitable as yet, but I believe the city has guaranteed the company against any loss, and as far as convenience of the public is concerned, nothing more perfect could bo imagined.”