Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-09-22
$957,427 OF


Aggregate. 1857 .427 OF
MT. kUPER states that the estimates Of the cost
on the HockilSh Gap route are at a maximum rate
tie advises that portion OF the timber (the sls>
tor the road, be subjected to the process of Kyan
islng. From practical tests. he estimates that the
saving this process would effect would be 1885 for
every mile OF road every ~ years. The cost of
kyanising the specified timbers for the whole road
would be $500, which would have to be added to
his estimate already given. MIR. X. next gives
table OF the grades of the Rockfsh Gap route.
which we omit as unnecessary for the general rea-
der. The report proceeds
Having given you general description of this
route, together with an estimate of its cost. Sc,
we now turn to the route from
GORDONSVILLE TO POWELL'S GAP.
The difference of opinion entertained by the par
ties contending of the merits, cost, Sc, of their
own peculiar route for the extension of the Louisa
railroad, renders it necessary that in insttutinC
comparison OF the two, the same plan and princi-
pies oe adopted In estimating each and every one
vi 'heSe pecuilur advantages, consequently the line
traced is described rs follows:
From Gordonsvile for distance of 1900 feet
TINS route occupies the ground with its rival
thence curvlng gradually to the left i'm distance of
one quarter of mile, strikes the road from Cor
taking course n. Ga w.. reaches a low depression
little to the north of Mr. Kings; thence by bear
ing gradually to the right as far as the two mile
station, turns the south end of Bells mountain.
ana from thence In pretty direct course leaving
r. Bells house 800 feet left attains the summit of
the southwest mountain in total distance of 3
,'i'es iooo feet, and elevation above the point of
beginning At Gordonsville of So feet
The departure from Gordonsville can be effected
ali tft..t,1t .l,l.-
may be said to be remarkably favorable, the GRADES
undulatlng, and not exceeding so feet per mile and
with the exception of the cut of 20 feet at the
summit, no very heavy cuts or fills necessary
descending, the line pursues a branch of Blue
nun, heading near this summit, and passing 200
feet to the left OF Dr. jones' house. and immedi
ately over his spring, is then sustained ON the hill
SIDE as Tar as the 9TH mile station at this point it
becomes necessary to cross the branch and strike
me opposite side hill and by gradually bearing to
the lett tor short distance. strikes favorable RIDGE
tor the descent to Blue Run, which is miles $40
feet from the summit, and l76z feet below, or 81
feet below Gordonsvie.
In this distance we will have some rock cuttinp
10 encounter, and an embankment near the 4th
mile station 45 feet high, and culvert to cores
pond, OF 70 feet span with this exception, the a
mount OF masonry is lght.-The grade descends
continuously, at the rate of so feet per mile
survey passed, until it reaches the summit OF the
ridge miles north of Barboursviie, a distance of
iittie over % miles, is very irregular and broken
requiring deep cuts and fills and LARGE amount of
rock cutting.
IL was suggested to me, while surveying this
portion of the route, that by going north of Hard
wick mountain, Il cheaper and shorter route could
De obtained. am satisfied, since having plotted
Ine line, that the distance would be rather increas
Itp,IpI cI1
as equally confident, feeling satisfied that on per
manent location, the line actually run would be i'm
proved.
Inc line has now attained the summit OF the
ridge. dividing the waters of the Rvana and Ra-
Pa Ann. presenting in its whole distance to the
Blue Fridge. comparatively speaking, an even and
uniform surface, remarkably favorable for the con-
structon OF railroad, requiring but small "a
mount OF labor to cut down and fill up some of its
Slight irregularities, without culverts or drains of
any importance. The line following this ridge to
the TO- mile station, the above remarks, together
with the detailed estimate furnished will be suffi
Client to render 1t easy to understand its general
features
From the l9a mile station, the line leaving this
ridge lncnes to the left descending and cr0ssinr
IN Its course two branches tributaries OF the Blue
Run, ascends and reaches low depression in the
ridge on which Stanardsville is located, and south
OF mat place one quarter of mile.
The estimate for this portion OF the line is made
made upon the assumption that the line will pass
on permanent location north of Mrs Collins
house, the most difficult part of which was sur
veyed.
The grades are, descending, 60 feet per mile.
and ascending to the summit. 50 feet per mile
The 6O feet grade cannot be reduced without max
ing considerable detour north The distance is
20a miles.
The country from this point, after crossing Blue
Hun, ascends ahead very fast. thorough exam
lnatlon was made to Swift run creek. where we
first strike the mountain, by surveying three
routes, with view, if possible, of modifying the
grade, and am sorry TO say without the least sue
cess, and consequently the grade from the top of
PowelPS gap, with but slight modification on the
23d mile station, may be said to be continuous to
Blue run, and at the rate Of % feet per mile
For the sake of convenience, the line from this
point will be described actually rum that is from
the top.
In the reconnaissance made and mentioned in the
FIRST part OF this report, had every reason to hope
that II the line could be carried around the point OF
Slater's mountain and then be made 10 cross VIII
llams River, near its head, it could be easily Sis
tanned on the face of Daniels mountain to Swift
Run creek, with maximum grade of so feet per
mile This expected, from the facts gathered
from report made two years ago for the same
purpose that this survey is now executed
The line was traced accordingly, but after
reaching the point Of the mountain, J found it
would not be possible to obtain curve of the de-
desired radius. The grade line also striking high
er up than anticipated induced me to continue the
line Immediately down the mountain, to a point
from which assumed as practicable to descend
from,-this found to be 1903 feet below. or as
Stunning the grade at the beginning to be 727s feet
below the top, and the greatest distance that
could be had at miles, would give a grade, de
scending at the rate OF l45l feet per mile.
All hopes failing in this direction, the only al
left is to this mountain, rendering
an additional tunnel Of 1900 feet in length neces-