American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-08-14

cpeded to Boston, and IN the course OF the route'
had an opportunity of consulting with several emil
nent and distinguished Engineers, among ~hom
we're Col. Tottcn, of the u 5. corps Of Engineers,
Col. Baldwin, U. S. civil Engineer, G. White Esq.
Of Connecticut, and p. Fleming, Esq. OF New
York. who has lately returned from Europe, where
he had been employed by company i'll Albany, Tor
the purpose Of collecting information relative 70
the construction of Rail roads, and the application
Of moving power upon them. The last named gen
tleman accompanied the Committee in their visit
to Mauch Chunck !,
The Committee were also accompanied on their
visit To The Quincy Rail road, BY Col. Baldwin,
and by [. DAVIS Esq of Boston. the latter gentle.
man being one Of the propreors OF this work, and
from them received every attention and inforna
tion necessary.
/ The Quincy Rail road including all expenses.
except the amount paid for land cost 81 $50 per
mile-it was constructed exclusively for the pur-
pose of conveying Stone from Quarry to nayigable
water; it is 5 miles long, and CONSISTS OF single
way with two tracks, five feet apart in the clear
the rails are of pine timber inches wide and IL
inches deep, these rails except where the road pas.
ses over swamp upon wooden piles, are laid upon
stone sleepers feet long and about IL inches
square, placed feet apart, the sleepers rest upon
stone foundation feet deep, which efectualls
secures them from the operation Of frost. On the
top Of the wooden rails there IS nailed oak scant-
ling, inches thick and inches wlde or which Is
fastened bar of rolled Iron sic OF an inch thick
and from 2. to q inches wide,
The Road at the Quarry is Sc feet above the
water at the place Of its termination. The deep
est cut is "a feet, aud the entire road is near,
straight except at two places where there are con-
siderable bends III il. The greatest descent is Q J
inches to the rood, which is equal to about &c feet
in mile, and at this place strong break is nece,-
sary, to keep the wagons ftcm running upon the
horses.
Two Horses draw down the Road 40 tons, in
Guiding the weight Of the Wagons, at the rate Of
4, miles an hour, ard take up the empty Wagons.
weighing about tons. These Wagons cost $500
each, and have wheels CT feet in diameter, with
inch ilanges. the wheel turning upon the axle,
whereas at hauch Cbunck the wheels al 2 feet
diameter, with Ranges of | inch, and turned
icifh the axle
There are several deep rayines crossed by this
Road, which are passed on wuu,en frames az
much less expense than II would have cost to fill
them with earth.
The Iron Rails for this Roai we're furnished
completely drilled and fitted. ready Tor laying dow n,
at 8! cents per ID. and tic pine rails were deliver
ed to the Company. at their Whlr, inr IS GEMS the
cubi foot The work appears to he executed in a
faithful manner, and has been found q answer the
fullest expectation Of the propretors, having re
duced the expense u transportation 10 about 6
OF its former cost
The Committee after a careful examination, a.
here stated, Of the Rail ways. both Mt Aauci
Chunck and Quincy, and after the conferences they
have had an opportunity of holding With the pro-
prletors ot these establishments, and with mum
Der OF scientific gentlemen, whose inions are en
titled to great respect, feel entirely satisfied that
there will be no difficulty in constructing the pro-
posed rail way from the City Of Baltimore to tn
Ohio river, nor have they the smallest doubt, but
that there is ample skill in country ar the exc
cutun Of this part oil the work the committee are
also further satisfied that the necessary materials
for its construction can be easily and conveniently
obtained.
Whilst, however, the committee feel no hesia-
ton in thus confidently giving their opinion upon
the praccabllty Of constructing the road, the, also
feel It to be incumbent upon them 70 state their
conviction to the Board, that from the varied and
undulating surface OF the country, over which
considerable portion of the road must uecessaril,
pass. great labor, and the exercise Of sound and
discriminating judgment, will be required, IN order
to fix upon the proper location Of the route; and
the committee also believe that much experience
and science will be required to decide upon the
most advantageous moving power to be employed
upon it. The opinions, therefore, of able and com.
petent Engineers, of sufficient experience upon
these two, vitality important points, is indispensa-
bly, necessary before the company can safely ven
ture to determine on the grade and final location
OF TIE road land after extensive inquiry, and
considerable communication with several gentle
men, OF highly respectable character, for ntelli
gence ard scientific attainments the committee
are OF the opinion that suitable dcputation should
proceed to Europe. Tor the purpose OF viewing the
different Rail Roads now constructing, ur in opera
ton there, and Of consulting with experienced and
practical men. IN order that we may become dis
tinctly informed Of all the modern improvements
n the application Of ocins po'cer upon them, tins
being the only point Of any difficulty, or upon which
there is the least hazard Of our falling into any i'm.
portant mistakes.