Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-01-24
Rich mOud mud Nai@Ai E4ntl Read
ERWIN's REPoRT.
To TIE Presiieat and Davcisrs Of the Riehnoad
and Miami Rail Road Compaay.


the survey for Rail Road between Richmond.
your examin alton estimate Of cost. together
with map and profile Of the route. The sur
vey commenced the South corporation
fee, OF Fifth street, thence enthusiastically.
al most, 4 direct line to a point ) or GOO feet
cas-, of Benjamin Moore's Saw Mill. at which
ly enters a deep raviae. which il follows 10 lis
head, opposite the residence Of Samuel Erwin-
being the summit between the waters of Short
Greek aud Eikhorn-here encounter the
deepest cutting. At this point the line again
changes its course, and continues straight TO the
valley oil Screen Mi!e creek. Al station nua,-
Der 223 We strike the line dividing the States
of Ohio and Indiana. You will SEE BY referring
the profiles prese n,ei, that that part Of your
route lying between Richmond and the State
line is crossed by numerous deep valleys. caus-
ing heavy excavations aud embark ments, to OBJ
tai an ything like a reasonable grade. Those pre-
sentins the greatest difficulties the valleys of
Short Creek and Eikhorn. Before running that
part of the route lying within the limits Of Ohio
returned to the beginning poiut aud ran another
line, North of the first and falling into it ut sta
ton number lll-although much cheaper than
the first line run, it was not satisfactory TO me,
ana acordng Y commenced third line at Sta
ton number 14o on first line, which is East of
Moore mill; the nee run Westwardly thro' lands
of Benz. Moore, widow McG lure, widow Rooms,
iona. Scarce, a. Grimes, and ID. r. Virgins,
until intersected the Richmond and Boston
Turnpike road, about quarter Of a mile Sonth
of the Toll gate. The last tangent was coniinu-
ed West~a ard until il intersected the centre line
of Fifth street, Richmond produced: thence due
North TO the end of 5ih street, being l40O feet
West of our former beginning point. From
Mcorc's mill this line is Gerry faroratle. present
ing. most of the way, easy work with light grade,
being however. 6ll7 feet longer than the first
line run; but much cheaper to construct
The heaviest work between Richmond aud Ea-
ton. occurs bet.een the former place and the
State linc.-and the most difficult part is over.
coming the summit between Short Creek and
Elkhorn-said summit is 1913 feet above Short
Creek, and 469-lO feet above Eikhorn. The
State line is elevated ia Clio feet above Rich.
mond.-No difficulty whatever occurring between
the State line and Eaton, and il would be diff
cult TO find a more favorable line for "a Rail Road
Ny estimates are upon the last route run. BY
report, you will see, that, the line passes along
on the ridge. or high ground between the head
waters Of Elkhorn, Seven and Four mile creeks,
encounterin nowhere anything else than gen-
tie fluctuations. The route falls into the Dry
Fork of Seven Mile. and crosses the creek not
far from Mr.. c. Streets Saw Mill, being South
of it about 300 feet, and crosses the Eaton and
Richmond Turnp ike road about so feet west Of
the Bridge DRY Fork. One mile and a half
northwest of the town of Eaton, the route of
your road intersects the valley of Seven Mile
creek, and crosses the same on the farm Of Mr.
Chrismon, on grade ufficientIy high above the
stream TO ensure safety to u Bridge. The line
Immediately changes direction aud pursnes the
east bank of said creek, on ground almost ievel,
to the northern terminus Of the Eaton and liam
1T on Rail Road, which is on the South corpora
ton line of Eaton, making the entire distance
sixteen miles, or to the North corporation line Of
Eaton fifteen and quarter miles Eight miles
and sG-l00 from Richmond is the summit eleva-
ted 222 feet above that place. Eaton is 6s feet
higher than Richmond-the termination Of the
survey on corporation line is 81 feet above, IT
being in the valley Of the creek.
In order to compare the line Just run. with the
line surveyed by Saini Forrer Of Da, ton, in ~,
and which in his report he deno,nina,es "Sou,h-
ern route" have made the width Of cmbank
ment, and excavations. and also the slopes, the
same. The grades laid at a maxim grade
Of 46 feet per mile-being the same on both
routes. My estimate for the total cost Of the
road bed ready for the superstructure and rails is
S9i,25a SO, being average Of 1851 l3 per
mile. The average cost per mile the rout-
run by Mr. Forreris Sl5,4e2 e5-making a diff
ference in favor of the last line surveyed Of 3d.
sol g per mile, or a saving in the distance be-
tween Richmond and Eaton Of Sl37 $3.50 50. In
examining the estimates, you will a differ
ence in the cost Of dry masonry. Richmond and
Eaton stone can be procured at trifing cost
near the summit nostone is TO be found hence the
difference in cost.
The maximum grade on the profile is 46 fee,
per mile, laid at that merely to compare the tw O
routes; but l would strongly urge upon the
Board to establish a lower mo1i,nam grade, whe n
the line is placed under contract for grading
The maximum grade the Hamilton and Gin.
cinnat Railroad is 30 feet per mile, that Of the
Eaton and Hamilton road. recently reported
on, IS 30 feet per mile, though not established a,
that yet by the Board; but will be placed 80 fee,
per mile doubt when the line is prepared fol
contract: winch can readily be done at a trif1ng
cost, as that grade occurs only in two other pia-
ces and continues for short distances. As you,
line can be regarded only the extension Of the
latter road, aud will 10 time be link in one o.
OF the most important Railroads in the West. i
judiciously located, great care, therefore, shout
be taken in getting low a maximum grade a
possible, together with as straight line. BY IN
creasng The length of your road surve we'd
only half-a- mile, grade no where exceeding 81
, G35 feet per mile can be obtained, and that, too
at a cost not exceeding the above estimate. Tim
did not permit me TO extend the survey farthe,
however, should you determine upon plscin
your line under contract, that fact can then
: fully established.
, cd Reerh aho nd al h. ~