Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-11-18
YORK AND CUMBERLAND RAILROAD.

YORK AND CUMBERLAND RAILROAD.
The following report, which was submitted to the
President and Directors Of the Baltimore and Sus-
quehanna Railroad Company, by Messrs. Yellot,
Magraw aud Poudcr, was accepted by that Company
on the 18th June, 1917. 1t is now rcpubIsfcd b.
cause it is able and well written document, ant
calculated TO exhibit the advantages OF the road be-
tween York and Harrisburg by the nearest and mOs
direct route. This republication is now made by the
direction of the President and Directors OF the York
and Cumberland Railroad Company .-AHler7can.
REPORT.
The undersigned, committee sppointcd by the
Board of Directors of the Baltimore and Susquchanna
Railroad Company, upon the subject OF railroad
connection between York and Harrisburg, by means
Of the charter granted by the Legislature OF Penn
sylvania to the York and Cumberland Railroad Com
pany, b,g leave TO submit the board the following
report:
The committee left Baltimore on the second day Of
June, accompanied by Isaac X. Trlmbic, Esq, the
former engineer OF the company, who had been in
yitcd to accompany them. From that day TO the 9Th,
they engaged in visiting York, Harrisburg and
Middletown, for the purpose of making reconnois-
of the intermediate country, and OF obtaining
information to the feasibility and probable cost OF
the proposed road. They found the best feelings
upon the subject existing the part of the citizens
of the various towns they visited and an earnest de-
sire to lend their efforts towards the immediate pro-
secution of the undertaking. Assurances were given
by many that stock would be literally subscribed
for Nothing like feeling Of state Jealousy seemed
to exist, but all appeared anxious for the proposed
railroad connection with Batimore-very properly
considering that it would be productive OF equal ad
vantagcs to Penns ania and MARYLAND. II would
fully dcvelope the agricultural and mineral re-
oil the former, by aifording market in the
latter, thereby adding to the commerce and wealth
of both.
The act to Incorporate the York and Cumberland
Railroad Company was passed by the Legislature of
Pennsy lvania in the month OF April 1916. by said
sct the company are empowered to construct "a rail-
road from the borough of York TO unite with the
Gumbp rl,nt V alley Railroad at nnint between
Merchandising and the Susquehanna river" The
capital stock of the company is limited TO 6O,n0O
shares of S25 EACH the person subscribing for the
same TO pay at the time dollar on each sh re
taken. When 5000 shares shall have been taken,
and the fact duly certified TO the Governor Of Penn
sylvania, he shall, "by letters, patent, under his
hand aud the seal of the commonwealth, create and
erect the subscribers, together with those who may
afterwards subscribe, in body polite and corporate,
in deed aud in law, by the name, style and title OF
the York and Cumberland Railroad Company, and
by that name TO have perpetual succession, &c 1t
is further prov dcd, that ''if the said company do
not complete the said work, TO bring II into use,
within five years after the passage of this act, then
this charter shall become null and void" For fur
Their details the board respectfully referred to
the charter itself.
Though the road TO be constructed under this char
ter will be within the limits Of the State OF Penn
syvana, yet II is State that is most Interested
in lis completion. BY this means, her large invest
mcnt and that of the city Of Baltimore, IN the Balti
profitable; while the vast amount OF trade which
would be attracted to city, would add new and
important item to the sources OF her commercial
prosperity. Though many entcrprising citizens of
Pcnnsy lvania ready TO embark their capital in
the undertaking, yet they naturally look to Balti-
for the first movement and principal aid They
look especially to this company-as the party most
immediately interestcd-to take the lead, by pro-
posing some definite and concerted action upon the
subject The question then presents ITSELF shall the
work now be started shall the charter heretofore
granted be suffered TO expire by its own limitation?
Before answering this question, the committee pro-
pose to consider
I. COST OF CONSTRUCTING THE ROAD.
This, according to the estimate of the able cngi-
neer, Mr.. Trimble, would be about s 500,0U0.
The committee themselves made Il careful obser-
walton of two of the routes which have been pre-
posed, viz:-One from York down the Codorus creek
TO its mouth, thence up the Susquehanna river along,
or near, its banks, to the Cumberland Valley Ral-
road, at the bridge opposite Harrisburg. The other
route would leave the Codorus about mile blow
York, and running in northern direction, strike
the Susquchanna at York Haven, about five miles
above the mouth Of the Codorus Neither Of these
routes would exceed twenty nine miles in length;
and by far the greater portion Of both, lying along
the banks of the Susquehanna, is remarkably free
from difficulties, presenting OF the easiest and
cheapest rail routes in this country.
The object of the committee being. not to decide
which would be the best location for the road, but
only to ascertain that at least practicable route
existed, they did not examine others TO which their
attention was invited. 1t is proper, however, to
state that the opinion is entertained by some of the
citizens of York county. that favorable route for
the road may be found by running from Y DIRK north
westwar dy, through near Lewisburg, and inter-
sccting the Cumberland Valley Railroad some four or
five miles west Of the Susquchanna. Before the
road is finally located, all the country over which
the charter authorizes it to be constructed should of
course, be carefully examined and that route select
cd which, under all circumstances offers the greatest
adv antages.
For further information upon this branch Of the
subject we refer the board to the communication Of
Mr.. Trimble, presented with this report.
II. THE PROBABLE AMOUNT OF THE BUSINESS
OF THE ROAD.
At whatever point the road from York may unite
with the Cumberland Valley Railroad, the counec-
ton between York and Harrisburg will &c complete,
inasmuch as the Cumberland Valley Railroad unites
with the Harrisburg and Lancaster Railroad near
the canal basin at Harrisburg. Baltimore would thus
have continuous and most desirable connection with
all the principal lines Of the Pennsy lvania improve
mcnts. The Cumberland Valley and the Frank lin
Railroads extend frOm Haperstown in Mary land 10