Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1848-10-16
SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD.

Wewere gratlhed to learn from Capt Dnmutk, who
has Just returned the mountains that he has found
two passages the Blue Ridge only practicable,
bni T. b. overcome BY railroad 60 feet grades
aud tia: even al this comparatively easy aie. there are
but few miles to be over, all else being VI less IN
c!Inaii-n.
Capt. D. a!sn SAYS that The entire lines examined by
hun are Of easy FEATURES and that Salem be reached
from Lynchbure with far less difficulty than pre-
sented between Bsun and Albany where 81 feet grade.
have been introdured-or between Baltimore and Cum
be- land the Baumor4 and Ohio RAILROAD. That. IN
The future progress Ut this last named work. he has been
INF rmrd, BY the distinguished Chief Engineer, Mr..
larbe that The highest grade hereto,re used upon
any leading line OF rlad IL about s feet per mile. But
tbs Is certainly much within the capacity ut the loc1-
motive" C. 'ninnes his g-nle.nau) now improved !;
and 10 crossing The Allegheny west Of Cumberland, |
think i more han probable that grade Of upwards q
100 ieet-sly | l6 teet-Iray be adopted.
Above Cumberland. on of the Coal railroads. we
have grade of - feet per mile. safely worked with the
heaviest trains, by Engines Of % TONS "a common
weight ii Engine Is used on freight roads
Mr. Latrobe adds that ''such grades could only be
warranted in muuntaln1us couatry, where /. would
much distance and cs Of construction and mante
anc-."
The people says Capt. d., much excited upon the
subject OF this improvement anxously waiting in conf
dent hope that at last they will BE- enabled 10 break up
their Virginia fields and bring forth good fruit that will
help FEED the hungry while at the same lime they will
receive remuneration f!r their labor.
The soil is rich an,si to the submits of the noun
tain-. and in the valleys the fertility Is unsurpassed.
and The iron and other crop out on almost every
side
Capt d. says he was accosted by The proprietor of
two horse road wagons then the road, thus: Mr.,
yon Of the Enginee looking for railroad along
here :" am, sir. ''Ne sir have Away seen oPpo
sed to railroads, for them wagons you see
coming up the mountains, and have been getting my
living by their work; but my last trip out the Ten
neSsee line, saw wagon load after wagon load ofmeI-
chandiz- coming up from Charleston, South Carolina TO
the Southwest part of Virginia, and that part of E
Tennessee formerly supplied through Richmond and
Lynchburg. while could get nothing from Lynchburg
10 carry back, and | said to myself, WELL it is lime
tor Virginia have railroads. aud r his railroad,
and trust in God you viii fad good route" And such
be the feelings Of all the inhabitants Of that part
Of Virginia.
We learn aso that the extent Of It's means, Lynch
burg determined to build this road confident that if but
~ miles accomplished. each mile will develore
to the benefit Of all in any way concerned in
The prosperity of the State.
Capt, d. is now engaged in preparing the results Of
lis survey. which VIII accompany his report and esti-
maes.-When ii is presented the Company Will lay he
whole before the public r. Wing.