Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-06


is valley, and that of Ivy creek, up to low point
IF the dividing ridge between tho latter and Elk
creek. Thus lowest point is situated between tho
farms of Mr.. Radford and 81 Mrs. MoscN.
The elevation of this ,c,ut is 81 n, above James
River AZ Lynchburg, riich may be reduced to 26o
H. by the clcvatic given at the lover end as well
as some cutting ut the top.
The straight distance 10 it is miles, % chains.
Tho location will probably make it l04 miles. So |
that the average fill will be about a5t n per mile
but tho valley is far from affording go gradual
deScent-thc decivity near the top being much
% l4O Fl. in miles.
The descent on the west side, to q bend
where Elk creek approaches very near to
Otter river is 210 r.
Which may be reduced to 1913 4"
by The cut at top, already mentioned, and assu-
ming high level at Elk creek.
The straight distance is miles % chs.
But will probably bo made CT by the location.
Showing average fall of 10 fl. per mile on this
sdo-hcre also the fall is rapid near the top, being
llo IT. in the LIST mile
This first section of II miles from Lvuchburg
to the above mentioned bend of Elk creek, il. We
ry broken, particularly the west sido Of tho
ridge; ELK creek winding IL miles in u straight dis
lance OF only 81. II is remarkable however, that
ITS general course i, worry direct, that
great many times the straight line, its bends be-
Jug generally round nNrrew, projecting spurs with
deep indentations. The location among these rid
gcs will be very laborious and difficult. To wha,
degree the graduation will be lowered, and whether
1t VIII DO made uniform unduiating, will depend
u v,
which the company alone, after its organization,
determine.
Whether they adopt tho most liberal scale of
graduation or not. this section will be the most
expensive OF the line; nue. cmbnnkment, many
bridges and cuvcrs, aud great deal of deep cut
ting will DO Indispensable and, considering that
tho ground rests generally upon foundation OF
solid granite, it is probable that many short
nels, under 5O yards in length, will be found cI.
pcdicnt through several of the intervening spurs,
The main ridge itself will, very likely be moro adj
vantngeously passed i'll this way than by deep
cut. Not only this may be intrnsicaliy choc per,
but 1T Will also save the necessity of bridging over
the wide chasms which deep cuts would otherwise
open across the paths of many roads,
From the bend of Elk Creek, above mentioned,
to Otter River the distance is only 270 Yards which
by sustaining high level, will be reduced TO $50
yards This distance must either DO cut through
tho deepest of the cut at the eliminating point
being 81 fect-or else If as suppose, the body of
the ridge is solid granite, deep at each end,
and a tunnel 100 yards long will be preferable
there being road on the top of the ridge. The
bends of Elk and Otter round the ridge amount to
miles between these two near points.
The water in Otter river here, is 1l9 feet above
James river Mt Lynchburg Thence tho rail road must
pursue tho northeastern margin of Big Otter river,
up TO the junction of its two forks, distance of
mitcs-in which the fall is 80 feet only, the fork
being 70 feet above James River. Then, having
crossed the North fork at suitable elevation the
improvement will ascend the valley of the South
fork and that of Camp creek, of its trihuta-
fall between it and tho fork, of 800 feet in dis
lance of l33 miles,-which makes the average dcs-
| cent 233 feet per mile.
Where the ridge between the waters of Otter and
Goose Creek presents itself, its summit is 60 Yards
from the last named point of Camp Creek and its
elevation - feet above the samc-a short cut rnea
surfing 30 feet =: depth the most elevated point
and raising the lower end l3 feet above Camp Crcek
Will reduce the ascent III this to the above stan
dard of 23i fec: per mile.
The next difficulty encountered is the bed of
&eed's Creek, 400 feet above James river and 80
feet below the last ridge from which il is distant
LIS mile: the cut, 30 feet deep at the ridpe and
short embankmcnt of 80 feet elevation at the deem
est point, will reduce the descent 81 feet per mile
Next, by slight cuts and some embankments, one
OF which only will measure 80 feet at its highest
point rise of only 10 feet in II mile will be made
reaching to the Cove branch.
Thence TO the North fork of Goose Creek the
distance is i mile and fall ITO feet Goose Creek
being 3sl feet above james river at Lynchburp9
This may be reduced to 80 feet, which is 40 feet
per mile, by crossing the creek upon Il bridge or
vIaduct oo feet high, with corresponding emkank
ments at each ond: this descent will be formed in
part by betting the hill, in part by deep cutting
This is the deepest slope against the heaviest trade
between I.ynchburg and Buford's gap.
From the Goose Creek to Buford's, the distance
is - miles, the rise on the rail road will be 6S feet
IN this distance, an additional elevation of IS feet
being given opposite Buford's
From Butord's 10 the top of the gap the dis
lance Is very nearly miles, and tho rise 1876
feet This may be reduced to 10 feet per mile nv
the elevation given at Buford's, and cut at ION
great reduction ofthe slope could not be obtained
Fortunately, this is in favor of the heaviest fir
The location will be confined to the valley of
Goose Greek itself, the fall of which is prcttv reir
tar, and direction generally straight. CONSIDERING
that the returning weight, including wagons, will
be only at most one half OF the DESCENDING trains
the same power will be moro than adenuate 70
bring back up this plane, the wagons it had carried
towards Lynchburg with full loads, over the inter
venng undulations-
Buford's gap, at the road, is $40 feet above
James River at Lynchburgh. Thera is n lower
point near this, but not eligible, on account Of
its less favorable direction.
West of the Blue Ridge, the survey took nrne-
datcly down Glade Creek. 4 subsequent exami.
nation shows that n more favorable graduation can
be had in tr butary valley of the same, more to
the north, and which heads directly opposite the
present road With the help of a deep cut, tho |
slope may BIO reduced to so feet per mile down 10
tho main valley of Glade Creek, which is next to
be pursued down TO tho Big Lick Road: the fall |
being 40 feet per mile for 81 miles
At the Lick, the rail road must pass back of the
hills, which confne the Roanoke. It will keep !
mostly, close TO the present stage road as far as
Mason's creek. This course will save about 4
miles, and several difficulties along the Roanoke
This distance is undulatcd, and rust bo graduated
by successive cuts and cmbankments
At MasoL's Creek the bottoms of the Ronoake
viii be entered and then pursued to about 5 miles
above Salem, where deep cut and short tunnel
are contemplated, TO considerable bend of
the river The route above Salem having been
described IN former rcports-iS29 and I53I-I
cannot do better than TO refer you to then-In the
latter, you will find the following tabular state.
nent;
Dist Rise Fall rr.urirc