Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-12-08
Chief Engineers Report.

10 tie President and Directors, Va. and
Tenn. Railroad Company.
GENrLEMEN:-In compliance with cs.
tablished usage. ] present the following
Annual Report. The difficulties encoun.
ftered IN executing the work between
Lynchburg and Salem have been create,
than was expected. Every part of the
work has been prosecuted diligently, and
on the deep excavations, CONTAINING rock
all the force that could be worked 10 aJ
vantage has been employed. 1t was how
ever found impossible to complete the dii-
iicult points in time TO lay the whole track
as soon as proposed.
These points being near the eastern fer.
minus ofthe road, it was necessary 10 in.
cur some expense hauling iron in order to
hn'sh the track at as early a day as posi-.
Die This additional expense will be amp
" repaid BY the use Of the road some
months sooner than could otherwise beex-
pected. 1t may now be promised, with
certainty, that the road will be inopcra,ion
to Liberty IN the month of January, to Blu
ford's in the month ofMarchr, and to Salem
IN July. And ten miles beyond Salem
can go into operation in six weeks after
the rond reaches that point. For this ten
miles the iron is not yet purchased. The
track OF tins road consists ola \ rail,
weighing COILS. to the yard, laid on sub.
stahilal oak, chestnut or locust cross.tics.
, feet long. averaging in size about 6! BY
10 inches. and laid every two and a half
feet. The timber is much larger and of
better quality than that generally used on
Railroads atlording great irmness and
security to the track. The iron rails are Of
the very best quality ofimpoitcd rails.
The chairs are casiiron, Of the very best
quality that can be made from the Virgin
Ia Ores, they weigh l9lbs. and are cast with
a projection to fit INTO the hollow Of the
rail. This metal possesses great tough
ness. The spikes too are made of the very
best bar that can be produced from Vir
gina Charcoal Pig, and are superior 10 any
others, made from diffcrcn, metals.
This track is believed to combine every
quality essential 10 a good road, in an emf.
nent degree, and to secure, in the future
operations ofthe Company, both safety and
economy. Few, if any, can be found of
better materials or better construction. The
passenger trains will be able to attain n
speed Of thirty miles per honr.on this road,
with perfect safety. Under the contract
with Mr.. L. d. Dcanc. jr.. The cars ncces-
sary to equip the road, nrc now in process
OF construction at this place, and the quail
ty OF the work. as far as it has progressed,
Is such as to vindicate fully the policy OF the
Board in securing these articles of Virginia
manufacture. A sufficient number ofthcsc
cars, Tor present use. Will he completed by
the end OF next month. The contract Ill,
Joseph x. Anderson, esq. Of Richmond.
was limited to FIVE locomotives, one Of
which is TO be completed 10y the LIST o Dc-
cembcr, and can be on tho road by the
middle ofthat month. Great care has been
used in selecting the mater ials for these
machines, and ii is confidently hoped tina,
their performance will be such MS TO do
credit TO the entcrprising builder. This
gentleman has associated with himself Mr..
John Souilier. Of Boston, whose rcpuia
ton stands deservcdly high among the
New England manufacturers. They will
be prepared to complete four or more To-
como,I,es per month; and, ii is hoped, they
will receive Southern patronage, such as
will enable them to build up, 10 the South-
crn States, an establishment Of the first
Their success viii prove highly i'm
to the whole South, and is a mat
ter ofpcculiar interest to the Railroads Of
Virginia. As it was a matter Of great i'm
portanceH to have a locomotive on the road
by the 18th of December, it was thought
most prudent TO guard against any posi-
bic delay in the delivery of those already
contracted for, bythepurclasc Of one from
Mr.. Soulher, 70 bcshiPped from Boston on
the 9Th inst. The plans for
dating the business Of the road 1T Lynch
burg, have been greatly enlarged since the
period Of my last report.
The purchase of tke Cotton Factory
House and Machine shop. The buildings
now in progress here. are absolutely nc
cessary for the accommodation flour bus
mess; but, previous to this last purchase.
there was not ground enough TO erect Them
IN. The arrangements now made, are as
perfect as the space occupied will admit Of,
and will accommodate a very large busi-
ness, though the time may come when a
surface of ground might be adyan-
.tageously used.
would call your attention 10 tie pro.
visions 10 the general railroad law, which
forbids Companies to acquire more than
three acres ofland in any oneparcel. Three
acres is the smallest amount hich viii be
required for the most ordinary coustry de
pot. The space covered by tie buildings
and that occupied by the wood for the sup
ply Of the engines, will leave no more thar
enough for the Wagons TO stand on,wLich
are engaged in transportation 10 and from
Tie road. At the terfnipi Of the road, and
wherever an unusual amount Of business
is expected. more than three acres will be