Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-06
The ESichuaOmei Whag.
From the Lyncaburg rirgimian
LYNCHBURG AND NEW RIVER RAIL

BY an advertisement in this mornings paper, i,
will be seen that books are to be opened in tins
place on the l>t of November next. for the Pur-
pose of receiving subscriptions TO stock of the
Lyuchburg and New River Rail Road We are
highly gratificd that enabled to present to
our readers, at the same moment, the subjoncd
lucid and satisfactory Letter of Mr.. Crozet, the
State Engineer, the subject, which fully dcmon-
stratcs the feasibility of the scheme, and tho
tainty that investments in it must result prohtably
TO capitalists.
ITScuuUhc, Sept. 9th, 1891
To Henry DAVIS, Esq.
Chairman Of The Board of Commissioner. of LyneS
burg and Ncto River Rail Road.
DEAR SIR:-Bcforc leaving this scction of tho
State, having now completed the exploring opera
tions relative to the rail road from this place to
Now RIVER X has occurred To me that the purpss
cd end might sc advanced by my putting the Board
of Commissioners as carly as practicable in possess
Zion of the most essential and decisive facts elio
ted by the survey.
Four routes have boon mentioned:
The first, passes along james river, up to Pat
tonshurg. and thence across tie country, to Salem
The ID takes its direction through Buford's gap
also towards Salem.
The Sd passes Immediately the ridge be-
tween james river apd Roanoakc, deSccnds along
Otter river and Themes follows the Roanoke up to
Salem.
The 18th route does not, like tho Proceeding pur-
pose passing by Salem, but continues farther up
the James s., rising along the Valley the Ca
tawba reaches the head of the North fork of Roam
oke from which it possesses across tho Ailcrhany
down to Now River.
The operations of this in addition to those
ot preceding years, have been directed to
give sufficient and decisive test of the relative
value of these different routes:
The Sd route must overcome the dividing ridne
between James river & Otter at the same low point
tl'ruogh which the I'd route will pass, and oncoun-
ter its principal difficulties. This together with
Its Increased distance, determines its re lection.
The 4:h route, besides the same objection Of
Increased distance, would encounter, at the Allie
gany and New river, difficulties that will be motto
III It.SNr MT IF @oF
surveyed from Salem to New river. These objcc
tons are not compensated by any particular advan
tage.
The first and second routes arc consequently the
only two entitled to competition in this scheme
After the first survey and examination Of the
country between Lynchburg and Buford's gap, the
broken character of which impressed strong
ly with the many difficulties in the way of the loca
ton and construction of useful rail road | should
net have hestatcd to have given the preference to
<hc route by Pattonsburg, had considered only the
terms OF The resolution under which / acted, which
directed me 'tto ascertain the most eligible route
for rail road from Lynchburg to New river" But
aware that this was not public undertaking, but
one TO he conducted by private company for
whose benefit the survey int ndcd and that tbi,
company would probably wish for an indcpendcnt
route. which, along the James river, they mipbt
IND some difficulty ia effecting, concluded, that
in accordance with the probable views of the Com
pany, 1t would be expcdient to search through the
country between Lynchburg and Ruford's rap AZ
ter a most complete examination, have been sue
ccsstul In tracing out route, which deem Dracti
cable, though attended with considerable difficulties
and which for n part of the distance will REQUIRE
great skill in the location, and much expense in the
execution.
Still, the route by Pattensburg deserves. thourb
somewhat longer, the earnest consideration of the
company, whose decision, conceive NAV be ms,
teridily influence by the system of Improvement
the State may adopt along the James river, above
lynchburs. For, if it should be rail road it
would be incumbent upon the company to deter
mine whether to place themselves in compctition
off IL
view of the respective merits Of the two routes APP
pears to me- therefore, an important element of the
question.
The advantages of the route by Pattonsburp arc.
list. It's embracing the commerce. of Rockbridrc
boetourt and the upper part of james river
I'd. Its crossing only one ridge between Salem
and Lynchburg, and its favourng the heaviest trade
by an uninterrupted descent, for upwards of 60 miles
from the top of that ridge to Iynchburg 46 miles
of which are at an average very nearly 81 it. per
mile.
Whereas, between Lynchburg and Buford's gap,
several accents III opposition to the heaviest traffic
must be overcome, which will produce an irrep,
larity in the application of power which, unless the
road be graduated at considerable expense, may ase
the cost OF transportation higher on this than on
the longer route by Pattonsburg.
3dly The cost of graduation from the ridge down
james river to Lynchburg, would be the same for
ny pc wcr that may be chosen, or any amount Of
trade that may pass on it.
Whereas, through the uneven country, between
Lynchburg and Buford's gap, the character and ef
hcIency OF the power, and consequently the of
transportation, will be materially affected By tho
graduation, which, itself, must evidently be repu
lated by the amount of traffic tho road so that
tho whole aggregate saved in tho transportntio n
may be fair return for the additional expenditure
III the graduation. Thus, e2ation adapted 10 tLs
present trade might not suit its future exigencies
No consideration of this kind would embarrass the
location along James river.
Against the route by Psttonsburc may be URGED
on the part of private company, its being DEPEND
ent upon, and perhaYo conflicting with the i'm
Prorcment contemplated by the State on the James
TI'cr And also, it's being probably IL miles long
err although the time Of travelling and cost of
transportation might be less than on the short
route, If graduated upon economical scale
As regards the obstacle intcrposcd by the main
ridge on each route by reference the last report
of the Board OF Public Works, page 23S, YOU will
observe that the descent from the ridge TO Jan,c.
81 #.
But these averages, of course, cannot he obtain.
cd at a reasonable expense, and consequently
sleeper planes will he necessary, on each side near
the top of the ridgeas appears from the following
comparative view:
DESCENT,
IRON the Ridge in BITE From BntorPS Gap to-
to"rf fordrds Patto"s- cards Lyuotbmg:
burg.
1st mile % fl. 4 miles 10 thc Icy,
"a l. So " Ell at Buford's 336 IT,
Sd " DO " Next 2 miles 46
Thence in twelve After this broken.
miles TO point Tgtoards Salem.
III feet above In miles 214 g"
james Rivcr,) $50 " % 81 above
I'Otoards Salem. Glade creek 40 -