Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-07-05
Statistics in relation 10 Continuous Rail Road
from Sunbury TO Philadelphia,

tcntlOn oil capitalists 10 thls klhu OF Improve
ment The Reading Rail Road has capi-
tai invested of about 10 millions of dollars. the
interest of which, at per cent, is $500 900 per
apnum. The road, though completed TO the
poitsviile coal region, is not yet finished erd
will not be until il forms grand thoroughlaro,
between the rich and fertile valleys, drained by
the North and West Branches of the Susquehan.
ma and the ctyof Philadelphia. 1t is now asccr-
taiaed, beyond a doubt, that an iron track road
can be constructed between Shamokin and Potts.
Vile for about 5000 coo. This, with the road
already in operation between this and Shamokin
would form continuous Rail Road line from
Philadelphia TO Sunbury, at the junction Of the
North and West Branches of the Susquehanna.
The question is, would the road prove profitable.
We believe that the road, oritscf, woold not only
be extremely profitable, but that the future pros.
pcrity of the Reading Rail Road almost wholly
depends on its completion The vast and in
crcasirg trade in grain, iron, coal and lumber, on
the Susquchanna and tributaries, imperatively
demands some safe and speedy outlet which can
be resorted to all seasons ofhe year. As some evil
dence of the extent OF this trade, will furnish
our readers with such estimates we think
/ be relied on Fourteen years since the value of
property, descending the Susquehanna TO Bati
more, was estimated by careful comparison and
average of dates, to amount to S3.4lO ,0OO of
J which about three fourths, 81, $50, 900, were
! deemed the products of the two branches and
their tributaries. The tonnage of this property
was estimated at 1G9, 2S2 tons at Baltimore and
thrcc-fourths oft, or 1o6.9G2 tons, at the Sun
bury basin. But since that period things have
! greatly altered. The coal and iron trade of the
Snsqnchsnna was then irf its infancy, and scarce.
" heard of--a trade which, in few years, is des
tined to become the most extensive in Pennsyl-
vana
The probable quantity of iron that will he pro-
duccd in another year, by the furnaces now in O.
pcration, and those in progress of erection, on
the North and West Branches of the Slisquehan-
ma, may be fairly estimated at 10000 tons Ri-
luminous coal which could be carried over the
road toa great advantage 10 900 Lumber that
enters the basin at this place OH its way to Bal-
more, Sc 200 600 900 # OF 2C0, coo tons. Grain
which is carried to Bait. and Philad., by way OF
the tide water canal, COO, 900 bushels or 90,
600 tons, which constitutes in the aggregate
BIG, 600 tons, viz
Wrought and pig iron, 1000
Bituminous coal, 10, 400
Lumber, 900 900
Grain, wheat, &c, 90, 600
$4,000
We have not included in the above the vast a.
mount of miscellaneous products that find their
way to market the greater part of which would
follow this new route. A trip from this place
TO Philadelphia or Baltimore, and back, by way
Of the Tide Water Canal, occupies from Is to 90
days Freight and tolls on merehandize, from
Philadelphia, is from 81 to $3.50 per ton. By
way of the contemplated Rail Road, the sanc
trip can be made in 3 days, while the freight OF
carriage will not exceed So so per ton. During
low water this route would command the entire
river trade of the North and West Branches, a,
the basin, al this place, be approached at al
most any season, even when the river below thi,
is almost entirely obstrncted. II may be asket
how much of the above trade would seek this new
avenue to market We think the followin:
MAY be relied on fair estimate