Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-07-09
From n.e Baltimore Patriot, July 2.
WASHINGTON RAIL ROAD.

1880 hesN ocSu taiu uONu Is tdf aS
the line Oh the District Of Columbia
Yesterday the Superintendent Of Con-
struchon invited the Directors to ac-
company him on n tour OF inspection
along the whole line to a. At point. We
availed ourselves with pleasure OF an
invitation to accompany the expcdi-
ton. and accordingly took our seat in
one Of those splendid new eight wheel
cd Passenger Coaches. and ut about
o'clock in the morning departed from
the Office in South Charles s-rect, and
in few moments arrived at the Mount
Clare Depot. Here we were attached
TO one of those powerful Locomotive
Engines which have recently attracted
80 much public attention. The morn
ing was delightful. and q clear blue sky,
with cool, eShilarating breeze from
the North West, afforded the best as
surance that the dcy would be equally
so. In about half an hour VIC were at
the Relay house-herc we were re-
ceivcd by Caspar w. Viewer, esq. the
Super liendent of Construction, al the
head Of a brigade % officers who were
to accompany him In critical cxami-
nation OF the work. In order In SUBJ
jcct the Road 10 as severe test as pos
slble, 1t was arranged TO place the en-
tire trail in adrance of the Engine and
propel the whole before il at slow rate,
SO that if any inaccuncy appeared IT
would be easily detected. The Dircc-
tors and their friends, with the Chief
Engineer and the heads of all the other
Departments then took their seats in
the Coach which was to be placed in
advancc-ihe next was occupied by a
number Of subordinate officers, behind
which the Engine and Tender were
stationed.
All things being ready. the signal
was given 70 proceed, and in an instant
were in quick motion propelled, as it
were, by some invisible power. At al
most the same moment We found our
selves in the Deep Cut at the point
where the two Rail Roads (Washing-
ton and Ohio) diverge-from which
point we perceived on our right the
simple but elegant Monument Of white
granite erected by John Mccartney,
Esq. on which suitable inscriptions
are to be placed, in which the Direc-
tors of these two great works, 1t is pre-
sumed, VIII occupy a conspicuous
niche.
We now swept gracefully along the
beautiful curvature OF that splendid
work Of art, the Thomas viaduct, from
which the views are beautiful and
quite enchanting. After passing ano-
Their deep, rocky. cutting, We found
ourselves gliding smoothly along the
height above Elk Ridge Landing, with
the valley of the Patspsco extending
4 far and wide on our left.
thus far our progress was cautious
and rather slow, owing TO the untried
condition of the Road and 10 the cir
cumstance of our being propelled in
oGirGnce of the Engine. Such, how
ever, is the great solidiiy and admir-
BILE symmetry Of the Rail Tracks
such was the smooth and easy style in
which we glided along, that the Engi-
neer was inspired with more confidence
as We continued our progress. Instead,
therefore, of a slow and cautious adj
vance we soon found ourselves flying
along occasionally at the rate OF 30
miles an hour and at times upon a
straight line, the speed was at the rate
OF 80 miles an houri
We have not the time nor the re-
quisite talent to give full and accu-
rate description Of the whole route
Suffice 1t to say, that the scenery along
ITS course is more varied and beautiful
than We had any idea existed between
the two Cities, all of which is greatly
heightened by the peculiarities arising
from the construction of the Rail Road.
AT one moment We are passing through
the narrow deile Of a deep cutting,
presenting on either hand curious stra-
ia, interesting TO geologists,--at the
next an open country interpreted with
hill and dale expand before us-pre-
sently we glide over high embank-
ment-then We dip into the deep shade
OF thick forest; occasionally well cul-
hvated farms, and some respectable
farm houses, with many beautiful
groves and elumps Of trees, serve to
enliven the prospect, and closely oc-
cupy the attention Of the traveller
This route puts the old, dreary Wash
ington Road completely into the
shade.
But We must resume our narrative.
The rapidity with which we were adj
vancing, soon brought US to the Dis
iIict line, and as We had arrived much
sooner than We had expected, il was
concluded 10 make an excursion on
foot along the Road from the line OF
the District Of Columbia, towards its
termination in the City of Washington.
We accordingly proceeded TO within
about three miles Of the Capitol Of
the Union, the dome Of which vas in
full view, and had the pleasure 10 per-
ceive that the whole line was nearly
finished, and would soon be put in Opc-
ration.
On our return 10 the cars. we there