BICYCLE ROADS IN MOUNTAINOUS DISTRICTS.
There are numerous places where the Bicycle System will commend itself, and where the necessity for the construction of a standard gauge track becomes a very expensive operation, especially in mountainous districts, where solid granite must be cut away in order to get the required space. The actual space occupied on the surface for a Bicycle road, need only be enough to rest the supporting rail, where a standard gauge road would require a great deal of expensive work to prepare a level surface the necessary width, upon which to rest the ties. A longitudinal iron or wooden beam upon which to rest the rail is all that would be required for the Bicycle line, thus bridging all inequalities, and saving greatly in expense.
And in addition, the ease with which its cars and engines may turn, render it especially applicable to such places where sharp curves occur, in winding around mountain gorges. In such places the Bicycle road requires a space only four and one-half feet in width for a single line, and for a double line about nine. In putting up the structure the rock may be drilled, and slight iron supports fastened to it. Another advantage which is apparent in case heavy grades are to be mounted, is that an arrangement could be constructed, which, by pressing against the upper structure or overhead guiding-beam, would greatly increase traction.
Numerous narrow gauge roads now in operation in the West prove their advantage over the ordinary standard gauge, in the saving of friction and the ease with which they turn sharp curves. No narrower gauge road than the Bicycle can possibly be constructed, and, as narrowing the gauge decreases friction, surely we have the greatest possible advantage over anything yet constructed. Its economy and simplicity is very superior. You can never get less than a single wheel, or line of wheels, or less than a single rail to run upon.