Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-13
Report of the Engineer.

| q 'N'' ~ ~ ~ HSi I>'q' NHHPWdN W Commute
te on Montpelier and Connecticut Rirer Rail
road Surrey.
| Agreeable to your request have to report that
in my examinations for The most favorable route
for Il railroad from Wells River village to Mont
| peller, Vt, during the months of July and Au-
gust last, found the lowest aud most favorable
spot for crossing the summit level between the
waters of Wells and Winooskl rivers, to be by
what is called the "Blg Pond" summit, near
the corner of the towns OF Grolon, Marsh.
field, and Planfeld. This summit is 10 feet
lower than the waters IN Kettle Pond and 40
l-2 feet lower than what is known as the Kettle
Pond Summit.
Going west from Bog Pond summit via Mig
ger head Pond" to Bsms's heights, found the
descent to be l7S 36-l00 feet; from thence to
the Ailll Pond ut Plainfeld village SIG - 100
| feet from thence TO water in Pond at village of
East Montpelier 90 62-l00 eet from thence to
the head cf lilil's Falls, so called, IA 82-l0U -
from thence to water in Pond at Montpelier vii
| lage, l26 So 100 feet; to top of track of Yer
mon, Central Railroad, at their Depot in Mont
peier, l2l $1,000 fret making difference in
eleya ion between Bog Pond summit and the
track otihe Vermont Central Railroad, as above,
of SOB 9-l00 feet; estimating the distance at 10
miles, and allowing an excavation of only 81
feet at the summit, the average grade tho
West side Of the mountain, would be IL 57-l00
feet per mile.
Such are the features Of the country that a uni
| form grade from the summit is not attainable at
any reasonable expense-no is this at all 1eces.
sary. The greatest grade however, need not
exceed G2 ~ feet per mile for about or miles
say from Bems's heights to Plainfeld.
+ Going East from Bog Pond summit, found
the descent as follows: From B P. summit 10
the waters of Long Pond $40 92-l00; from
thence to the waters of Lund's Pond 81 7i-lOO;
from thence TO water IN Burnham's Pond, at
Groton village, 259 feet; from thence to water
in Pond at Botonvllle 1873 l3-l00 from thence
to the grade OF the Conn. and Pass. Riyet Rail-
roads at stake 972, A. b. w. Whites,
Wells River village, 203 27-l0O making.in all
a difference in elevation OF go 03 100. From
! Bog Pond summit TO foot OF Lund's Pond, the
distance is estimated at q miles, Allowing
for 81 feet excavation at the summit, this dis
lance could be overcome with a grade of about
| 81 80 100 feet per mile. The succeeding four
miles would require grade Of about Us feet per
nile, and from Boltonyie % miles, ~ l-2 feet
per mile, and from Botonyllle to the Passumpsic
Railroad at Wells River village (3 IL miles) go
feet per mile.
Total (estmated) distance 10 l-2 miles. Av-
erage grade on East side, 40 74-l00 feet per
Iuile.
AS these examinations were preliminary only,
as then supposed, TO more iull and thorough
! instrumental survey, line Ut levels only was
run, and the elevations noted ot some of the
most important points between the Connecticut
and Passumpslc River aud the Vermont Central
! Railroads. The distances between given points
as stated above, IRE estimated only upon my own
and the judgment OF Others, but will, think, ap-
proxlmale something near their actual measures
nenl,
will only add in conclusion, that the route
explored seems very favorable for Railroad con-
slruclion so far as The natule OF the material 10
be removed is concerned, prosecuting probably
as little rock excavation, and requiring smaller
amount of masonry, than any other route for the
same distance with which am acquainted.
RespeeuulIy' your SU' s sSr $40 q ~ DEWEY