The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-01-24
Report OF
THOMAS ]. POWER, ESQ.

Portage Railroad as giving very fair and
correct statement of the actual condition
at the present time, and of what repairs
are necessary TO place j. in proper order
for traRsacting the;business of the approach /
ing season. As'we cannot find room for
il entire this week we will make such ex-
tracts from it as we deem most important
and therefore most acceptable to our read |
lers.
The purchase of two new locomotives
is urged as soon as possible, and number
of the old ones require considerable repair
ing 10 place them in running order. The
total motive power expenses during the past
year were SI6s,453 90, and the total ex-
penses were $l46,533 59,leaving balance
in favor of motive power department
Of go 800 "a. The estimated amount re-
quired for motive power purposes for the
coming season is sl63,7OO 90. Out of
this amount $4,000 is required previous
to the OF first April 1850.
Owing to the decayed condition of the
ry on several divisions to increase the mum
Der Of workmen, and extensive repairs
were made at Nos. 4, 5, 6, and on the
foundation and roof of Riggers' loft. The
decayed state of the timber, superstructure
| of the track-the delapidated condition of
the inclined planes, and the worn out state
of large amount of the edge rails on the
levels, render heavy expenditure neces-
sary TO enable the road to pass the in
creased trade and travel which may be
expected upon it by the completion Of the
Central road.
The total amount of railroad tolls re-
ceived during the season were SD, ,OI2 63,
being an increase of 3d. 800 20 over those
of last year, and the expenses of the repair
department amounted to S45,664 TO-
Should the Legislature authorize the lay
Iingsof the ascending track on the inclined
planes with heavy rail, the engine hous-
es to be repaired, cast iron or leaden water
pipes to be laid, and new rails to substitu-
, ted on the levels where old ones are de-
cayed, the sum of S92,O ,Os5 90 will be re-
quired for that purpose.
The completion of the Western Reser-
> voir is earnestly requested, and an appro-
priation of 5000 is stated 20 be neces-
sary to complete it.
Mr.. Power also urges upon the Legisla
sure and the Canal Board the propriety of
dispensing altogether with sthe inclined
, planes on the western side OF rhe..mountain
by making new road along tine bed of''the
stream which runs parallel with the pres
ent road, and states that s549.03s 90 will
be sufficient to accomplish that object
He asserts that by the adoption of this plan
there would be annual saving to the Com
monwealth, after paying interest on the
the amount required, of S39, ,4O7 25. This
recommendation is of such importance
that it should elicit the earnest and
earliest attention of the Legislature Its
practicability we regard as being beyond
a doubt and the entire State should feel
an interest IN It's adoption, not only on ac-
count of the increased facilities it would
afford for transacting business on our pub
lie Improvements, but because of the large
amount that would thereby be annually
saved to the Commonwealth But we
will conclude i'll the language Of MIR. Pow
er himself:
But there are other advantages of much
greater importance than that above stated
The capacity of the road would be more
than quadrupled. The necessitv of an
Expenditure of large sum to put the five
western planes and the machinery in pro-
per order, would be avoided The State
would possess thirteen miles of new road,
which would not require more than one
third of the amount now expended annu-
ally TO keep it in repair, and the trade and
travel of the Central railroad, for dis
tance of twenty or twenty-five miles,
would be secured, as they would willingly
adopt the State road for that distance, and
abandon the idea of constructing one of
their own from Johnstown to the Sum
NIT.
That part of the road which propose
to avoid, has FIVE inclined planes upon it,
with two stationary engines at each of
them. The planes were originally laid
with light plate rail, placed upon string
t timber, "a kind of road that is expensive
to keep in repair, extremely dangerous,
anc. now almost obsolete.) The iron is
so roucb x.,orn ond 80 a.