Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-03-27
COMMU NICATIONs.
BLUE RIDGE RAILROAD.

Gentlemen Knowing that any Thing connect
ed with Internal improvement will be interesting
to you, take The liberty ofaddressing YOU, and Of
making few observations upon this The most i'm
p6rtant Improvement, row in the course VI execu-
ton in our State.
BY the courtesy of Col. Crozet, the distinguish
ed Engineer who has charge of the work, accom-
panied him over nearly the whole line, and was most
amply repaid in the pleasure Of witnessing the COM
mencement Of the work at various points. This is
the proudest monument of the liberaty and fore
sight of the Commonwealth Of Virginia.
Our point of departure was FROM the Western
terminus of the Tunnel. Here we found about ~
hands employed. 4he.porlal Of the Tunnel is APP
preached by deepcut of 90 feet. From thence we
proceeded to the Eastern terminus, where an equal
number Of hands had just commenced disturbing the
repose Of rocks and earth which had slept in their
lonely solitude for ages-no doubt wondering why
they had not been left in the same state of otim cum
inertia in which they had been placed by the great
author Of nature But this is the age Of progress,
and science has brought all the elements of nature
to minister to the wants of man, and pay tribute TO
the increasing demands for every thing that can
add to his comfort or convenience.
You are aware that the grade Of the Tunnel
is 70 feet to the mile and that il descends towards
! the Eastern terminus. Some remarks, have been
made in reference 10 the curve near the mouth
of the Tunnel and il has been urged as an objection
that it was too sudden when the descent was at
at the rate of70 feet TO the mile. AT this curve,
the road is perfecyly level The curve has radi-
us of $40 feet We have INSTANCES on other roads
where the curve has less Than 500 feet radius and
the grade SOTO 70 feet 10 the mile SO that you
will perceive when all the facts are known, this
objection has no valid foundation. II is The only
curve on the mountain with less radius than 500
to 1000 feet.
Leaving the main Tunnel, we next came to Rob
erison's Hollo1u, and farther on to Doce Spring
| Holo,v. These are the most interesting points
on the whole road. Imagine 10 yourselves two i'm
mense chasms! ore of 1900 feet and the other OF
| 1000 feet in Misunderstanding eHabankments of sc
feet in height. With such decvty, as thai tire
basement will be l60 in width, sidewalks of mas
sive masonry, many hundred feet long, and Of con-
siderable height, you may have some conception Of
Nthe great work 10 these Hollo,ps At Dove Spring
Hollow you are near one of the small tunnels
Many hands are at work at this point. Considers
BILE progress is made in the work preparatory to the
commencement Of the tunnel.
We partook Of an excellent dinner at The shahtee
of Mr. Kelley, ohe'of the enterprsing contractors. Il
there is any truth in bhysiognomy, Mr.. Kelly, has
largely developed the traits of gentleman and
much of that fraukness and hospitality which are
so characteristic of his cobnEymen.
But, gentlemen, fear have trespassed too large
ly upon your patience and must condense this hasy
sketch.
Col. Cozet may congratulate himself upon the
success, which has attended his arduous and re-
sponsltle daly in locating this road, and the work
when completed, win fill lhe measure Of his high
est ambtion-to see this, his browning effort, con-
necied with this enduring memorial 0filie tnagnf
cence of Virginia. OBSERVATORY.
March %, 1850