The return trip from Boston, omitting the visit to New York, may be made
very direct, should the tourist so elect. The short line from Boston,
and on many accounts a very pleasant one, is _via_ the celebrated HOOSAC
TUNNEL, comprising the Fitchburg Railroad to North Adams, and the Troy &
Boston Railroad to Troy, thence _via_ the New York Central to Suspension
Bridge or Buffalo. This route presents the advantages of through
sleeping coaches from Boston to Chicago, without change, a most
desirable feature for families or for ladies traveling alone.
The line takes its name from the wonderful tunnel through Hoosac
Mountain, which opens a roadway for the locomotive directly across the
State of Massachusetts. This immense engineering enterprise was begun in
1862, on the supposition that the internal structure of the mountain
would be found of a character to admit of easy excavation. The
undertaking proved, however, that its projectors had been misled by the
geologists, and solid rock was the substance to be removed for the
greater part of nearly five miles. At an immense cost, the excavation
was carried on, and in 1875 was open for the passage of trains, and
later was perfected by arches of masonry where strengthening was
necessary.
The equipment of the “Tunnel Line” is complete and in all respects first
class. The starting point in Boston is from the depot of the Fitchburg
Railroad, of which John Adams, Esq., is the genial and popular
superintendent. The Western office of the line is in Chicago, at 135
Randolph Street, in charge of C. E. Lambert, Esq., the general Western
passenger agent.
The return from Boston may also be made by way of Springfield and
Albany, by the Boston & Albany Railroad, thence by the New York Central
to Buffalo or Suspension Bridge.
And now, having taken the reader, in imagination, from his home in the
West to the Atlantic seaboard, through some of the most delightful
scenery on the American Continent, and indicated a variety of routes by
which he may return, with a few closing words the duty of the writer
will be done. Possibly no one traveler or party will traverse all the
routes described in this work. In some cases we have indicated that
choice may be made of several methods of reaching a given point, and the
taste or preference of the tourist, or the convenience of a party
traveling in company, will often decide the route. We have endeavored to
give fair and impartial description of the attractions offered by the
various lines of travel,--often too painfully conscious of the
inadequacy of words to do justice to the subject considered,--and leave
the reader to choose for himself a route from among the variety set
forth.
Before closing, we will add that a large variety of excursion tickets
will be found on sale at the principal ticket offices of the Michigan
Central Railroad, from which a selection can be made in accordance with
your taste or preferences. If the perusal of this work has assisted in
deciding your route, you will probably be able to secure a ticket
through to the sea to accommodate your wishes. By a very convenient
arrangement, your choice of a portion of the route may be left until
arriving at the St. Lawrence River, when the purser of the steamer will
exchange your ticket, giving opportunity to select from a variety of
excursions, with added side trips to various points of interest.
And now, with a consciousness of its many imperfections, we bring this
work to a close, and take a regretful leave of the reader, with the hope
that the pages of the book may prove serviceable in making enjoyable the
journey of many a tourist
_=From Chicago to the Sea.=_