Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-09-22

Il
had passing entirely back of this hill, by bear
off Immediately to the right after passing
RandolPh's, aud coming 10 the river at pO
34OO feet above the mills. An instrumental c
animation was made OF the most difficult part
this route, which proved that the adoption of eth
would depend on future circumstances.
from the point last mentioned, the line immed
ately crossed the Rvanna river, and will require
bridge 800 feet long, with an elevation of its uppt
chords of 30 feet above the surface of the water.
This point consider the most favorable for cross
ing, from It's combining advantages which were no
to be found at any other First From the facil
tiles ofapproachng, both from the east and west sd
ON tangent of 23UU feet in length Secondly Th.
natural abutment presenting itself the east side
together with the width Of the river, CHS feet. y
And thirdly. The country Intervening between this
point and the summit at Charlottesville not capable
OF supporting grade of easier ascent, and conse-
Iuentiy any Increased distance that might be gain
eI by crossing at a point lower down with view
Oh modifying, would be OF no possible advantage
Al present with grade of GO feet per mle the cut
al the summit will be III feet, with several heavy
emoankments. and an additional bridge of 800 feet
length required at the crossing of NIoores creek
lndeed consider this to be the easiest Grade that
'he country VIII admit of without increasing the
expense (already very heavy) enormously. A
glance AT the profile of this part of the route will at
once explain the difficulties
me me enters the town of Charlottesville near
'ne mead OF Water street-distauce from Gordons-
vile II miles 900 feet, and level 50 feet below:
inence passing souh of Midway hotel strikes into
the country road in 500 feet of mud wall, and oc-
cupylng the same for distance OF 5000 feet TO Mr..
IleiSheli,s store The privilege of occupying the
centre OF this road, rather street. with one line
VIII, IL Is hoped be sanctioned by the proper author
i'ieS. It's surface conforming SO nearly to a uniform
grade, Will In measure render il easy to avoid all
difficulties in the way Of interfering with its travel
from Nr. telskell's store DETECTION i'm the line is
hfide To the right, running to depression i'm the
ridge l5OO feet north of the University Here a
cut OF II feet, with probably rock will be ne
cessary. "A line running south of the University
would avoid this heavy work. but it would be NJ
,he expense OF greatly increased distance. The
level OF this summit is % feet above Gordonsvlle
an experimental survey commencing at the head
OF Water street, and crossing Main street near John
III. Bibb'S store, was made to this summit, in the
expectation OF avoiding the cut near Midway, but it
was iouhd mat the country would not support tho
ueSred grade, and consequently was abandoned.
Proceeding from this summit on course n &C
deg. W., the line crosses over Meadow creek and
strikes a hat ridge leading to the summit at Jesse
Lewis distant from Gordonsvc 239 miles.
Leaving Jesse Lewis house 100 feet left, the
line assumes course OF n. so dogs w, crossing
the turnpike road to Stanton for distance OF half
mile; thence it bears gradually to the left unit,
curve reaches the summit at Mr.. Lowry's, distant
70 miles o;3UO feet from the beginning. On this
portion OF the line, the grades undulate, and the
ground passed over generally favorable
Alter passing Mr. Lowry's the line follows very
nearly the turnpike road, until near Mr.. Gooch's
G,'erh, winch 1t leaves to the left, and crossing the
~. ,. branch strikes depression in the ridge
dividing the ID. > branch and Big Ivy creek cross
ing Big Ivy creek and over second ridge u Little
Ivy creek near Mrs. Lewis. and up said creek
passing through Woodvile to the summit at Mp
rehee>S tavern; leaving his house 900 feet to tho
right, the line descendS 10 Mechum's river leaving
MIR. Oldham's TO the left about a quarter ola
mile-disance 81 miles aud II feet below the
point OF beginning at GordonsvilIe.
his portion of the route, otherwise extensive
Is very favorable in It's direction
From Mr.. Gooch's tavern, it is possible that by
pursuing the ID. 5. branch TO its intersection with
D!S IVY, ana thence passing south and near Mrs
uiiiner's up to Mrs LewiSs. the line can be i'm
proved, In so tar as regards first cost but this
would not recommend increased distance in
VoVes an expense annually and forever, in the re-
pairs ana maintenance OF way, more than equal to
The interest on the capital saved.
a bridge 4UO feet long, and elevation OF 45 feet,
VIII be required at the crossing of Bio Ivy creek
From the summit at M'Gehee's to Mechum's
river, the line adopted is the most favorable of three
surveyed. The difficulties in this section are GER
aihly very serious, requiring cut OF 80 feet, and
bridge at the river 1000 feet in length and an ell
ovation of 60 feet above the valley
Leaving Mechum's river the line ascends with
grade OF 20 feet per mile, leaving Jarman's mill a
little tn the left, and Mountain Plain meetnr house
10 the right, and crossing very broken ground
reaches the level of the ridge near the SOD mile sta
ZION. thence follows the ridge to near Mr. VIVA
ing house From the river, by keeping up Lick
ing hole creek, and striking the summit of the ridge
further IN advance, it is possible the line would "a
Vod both the heavy cuts encountered in that dis
lance.
Leaving Whang's house on our RIGHT, the jiue
crosses over several ridges and valleys made by the
head waters OF Licking hole creek rendering lis
course winding, andthe work of an expensive cha
racer, until 1t reaches the 3Sh mile station Il little
north OF Blair Park-thence it passes over more IA
vorable ground TO the 91th mile station, crossing in
IN at distance the Jarinan's gap road, two miles
from the top.
We have now reached the point where it NAV
be said the line strikes the Blue RIDGE.
Notwithstanding the fact that the line from this
point. in the whole distance to the eastern entrances
OF the tunnel OF u miles does not vary on an aver
age more than 800 feet, either to the roht or left
OF an assumed straight line, still from the steepness
OF the mountain slopes, the road will necessarily
consist OF series ofreverSe curves having radii Of
OOO feet. Although this degree of curvature. in
the early construction of railroads would have been
considered highly objectionable at present from the
improvements made in the construction of the loco-
motive engine, the difficulty Of tayersing curves of
such radii Is accomplished without materially aR
fectng its capabilities
There will be several entertainments and cuts. va
rying from 10 TO 60 feet and an aggregate of 27OO
feet in length OF bridging.
Inc line now passing through the mountain by a
tunnel 3OOu feet in length, and 15S feet below the
apex strikes the western slope with its grade at an
elevation OF 1909 feet above the surface Of the water