Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-10-21
Baltimore & Ohio Rail Road.

pany at the last annual meeting. Ii details tn
progress, &C. of the Road west of Harpers-Ferry
and will be found Of general interest.
As TO The extension of the road from Har'
per's Ferry 10 Cumberland.
Should nothing occur TO deprive the
board Of the resources appropriated ia
this portion ofthe work, it may be entire
| ly finished and the road put into operation
to Cumberland, as was stated in the las,
annual report, 10 the summer and autumn
Of 1912.
The progress OF the Graduation, Ma
sonny, and Bridging, since the date ofthe
last annual report, has been as favorable
as was at that time anticipated and may
be best shewn by reference merely to the
jobs ye, remaining unfinished.
The partial Reconstruction Of the Har.
per's Ferry viaduct, an inconsderable part
ofthe work upon the section of the road at
that place a small portion of the Bridge
Masonry and supersiructure Of the Ope-
quon and of the bridge supersfructure at
Sleepy Greek only remain TO fit the road
bed for the rail way structure from Har.
per's Ferry to Hancock. distance Of 42aa
miles. These jobs may all be accom-.
plshed within the next three months.
From Hancock to Cumbe, land, DIS
lance Of 81 miles, the unfinished work con.
sists of part OF the bridges at the Great
and Little Cacapon, both Of which may
be completed in the month Of December
next. Ofthe arching Of the Doe Gulley
Tunnel, and the removal Of few feet in
depth Of the cutting at the bottom Of the
eastern approach to the Tunnel, and Of
some rock slips; Of the nrching oil the
Tunnel at the Paw Paw ridge, portion
Of the viaducts, and their superstructores
over the North and South Branches OF the
Potomac, and also Of part OF the heavy
sections at the North and South branches,
and at Kclly's rocks, all Of which may be
readily accomplished in season for opening
the road to Cumberland within the time
already indicated.
Besides these few light sections and
three small bridges, which may be COM
ple:ed within the ensuing three months,
are all that remain TO be finished so tina,
by the first of January, 1912, the gradua.
lions, masonry and bridging Of the entire
line from Harpcr's Ferry TO Cumberland,
may be completed and ready for railway
structure.
The amount necessary to complete the
graduation, masonry and bridging TO Han.
cock. is $4,000, and thence to Cumber.
land, SIS, 900, together Sl25, 900, being
only LA part or per cent. Of the est.
mated cost Of the whole line.
Contracts for the iron rails for the entire
road have been entered into in London at
the low rate Of fs5 per ton and upon
terms which it is believed will enable the
Company to make rayments from the sale
Of the State Bonds in the hands Of the
Messrs. Barring, and without sacrifice.
Eight hundred tons Of the rails have al.
ready been delivered in Baltimore more
shipments are now on their way, and the
delivery Of the whole may be expected in
season for the earliest completion oil the
road.
Contracts have also been made for the
ballasting, and laying down the track, at
prices considerably below The estimated
cost the preparation of the ballasting,
and delivery OF the lastenings, have pro-
gressed satisfactorily, and with the requi-
site speed; and ten miles in length of the
wooden structure of the track between
Haper's Ferry and Hancock have been al
ready laid down. ready for the reception
of the rails and their fastenings.
Sites for the water stations throughout
the whole distance have been selected,
upon favorable terms. The superstruc.
lures Of those east of Hancock are in a
forward state, and may be completed be-
fore the LIST of January next.
The contracts for the delivery OF mate
rails for the track were made with the III
tention Of opening the road TO Hancock,
if practicable, on or before the first oi
January, 1912, and to guard against con-
tingencies the delivery Of an extra guam
tty of lumber was provided for. The
hope of accomplishing so important an OBJ.
ject, has not until recently, been abandon
ed. |! has been discovered, however
that from The inefiicency Of some of the
contractors, and difficulties Of procuring
suitable timber experienced by Others
and in consequence also Of the extraordi-
nary drought which interrupted the ope-
rations Of the saw mills, and prevented the
possibility Of rafting upon the various
streams and rivers, the necessary supply
Of timber will not be furnished during the
present season. From these causes ant
the unsuitableness of the winter season
for such operations, the opening of the
road to Hancock may be postponed unit
the month OF May next.
The causes which have produced thi.
delay east Of Hancock, will not operate
west of that point, and no failure in the
delivery Of all the requisite materials with
in the period assigned for completing the
work to Cumberland is apprehended.
Preparations have also been made, ant
upor terms less than the cost originally
estimated, for the necessary moving pow
err. and for the construction in the compa
ny's shops Of the machinery which will b.
required for the operations OF the roat
from Cumberland, and no doubt can b.
entertained that these will be all provided
in due season.
BY the terms Of all the contracts fo
laying the track and for materials Of al
kinda Axrantino tha iron raila and A few