Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-08-04
]. D. PArToS, Secretary.
To the friends of the carroll Co. Railroad

GENTLENEN:-By request Of some the gen.
Ilemen who attended the Railroad meeting in
Currollion on "Wednesday last have prepared
a statement TO be Incorporated with the proceed
ings Of that meeting.
As remarked verbally at that time, the lnslru.
mental examination Of the route, was made by
J. r. Srruughan, Esq, Assistant Engineer,
gentleman entirely competent to the task. ]
have since passed over, and examined the line
as located by him, and made such general OBJ.
servalons of the country as my limited time
would permit, aud from the survey notes now
in my possession, added 10 personal explora.
lion Of the ground, have arrived to the follow
ing general conclusions, viz:
That the length Of the road from the Sandy
and Beaver Canal at or near The 90 mile point,
to Carrolhon, is about l04 miles.
That the highest grade, in the direction Of
the heaviest trade, is sc feet per mile; and the
average grade from the Canal to the summit, 8
miles, is about 10 feet pei mile; and that the
highest grade in The opposite direction, between
Carrolon aud the summit need not exceed 20
feet per mile.
That the general course Of the line, from the
northern termination on the Canal, to the sum.
init, is quite direct, encounterlEg no curves that
can be considered Objectionable.
That with the exception ofa moderate gravel
excavation in the first mile, the first seven miles
are located on highly favorable ground, mostly
along the western side Of The valley of Pipes
Run, crossing no depressions worthy to be styl-
ed ravines, save one dry valley, where some
trestle.work will be necessary. The crossing
of Pipes Run requiring Iillle more than the
ordinary cost of grading and superslruclure.
That the remaining distance to the natural
summit, passes over side.lying ground Of a very
favorable character, with Oasy curves, and but
little cutting and filling.
That the least favorable portion OF The route
lies between the summit and point about half
a mile north of Carrolllon. On this, however,
there are no formidable obstacles, and but two
ravines requiring treslle.work are met with; and
it is highly probable, that upon careful rev-
sion with instruments, the line may be consd-
erably improved.
These data being established, i am Of opinion
that The road can be graded-l0 feet wide on
embankments, and l2 feet wide in the excava-
tions, which is sufficient for a single
track, for about $4,000 90
Nuu AHut u Slllhl6 NdChy WOOu6u SUPP
erslructure, Of the ordinary width
between the rails, viz: 4 feet 81 or
inches, with rails by inches,
can be completed for about 5000
per mile, or 9,45O 90
Making the cost, without Iron, $18.450 0O
1t is intended to cover the rails with strips of
hard wood for the reception of the car wheels;
and, al some future period, should the business
warrant The expenditure, these may be protected
by an Iron plate rail.
Should the right Of ,Oay be granted wthou,
charge, or so nearly so as 10 render this item
merely nominal, you can, therefore, have a
Railroad from Carrolton 10 the Canal, for not
exceeding 100000, and if the work could be
placed in the hands of efficient contractors early
this fall, it might be put in operation in April
next, and thus afford an opportunity of carrying
Il large share OF the present excellent wheat
crop.
You are more familiar than am, with the
arguments to be advanced in favor Of an early
completion Of this Improvement, but from the
peculiarly advantageous nature of the ground
upon which it is to be located, and from what
have heard of the splendid agricultural district
it is proposed 10 accommodate by its conslruc-
ton. it appears 10 me TO present powerful claims
in the prosperity Of your county.
Respectfully submitted,
w. MILNOR ROBERTS,
Civil Engineer.
New Lisbon, O., July 81, 1848.