The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-26
from I've Baltimore Sur.
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Railroad 70 Fatrmounts


Incidents of the Trip Mountains and Tun.
Magnificent Scenery-Enlhusiastic Re-
cePtion, de-, DC.
CUMBERLAND, Thursday morning, June "a.
We left this place on Tuesday morning, in
the special train, at ~ o'clock, having been
Joined by many of the citizens of Allegany, 30
that our party numbered about two hundred.
The day was delightful one, and all were in
the best spirits imaginable.
The road west of Cumberland is graded for a
double track, and the track now laid is all on
cross timbers, imbedded in stone, making it ex-
ceedingly firm and durable. The road was in
admirable order, and We glided over it very
pleasantly.
POINTS OF INTEREST ON THE ROAD.
Among the works of art on the line of the
road, the brick and stone Viaduct over Wells
Creek at Cumberland, is entitled to particular
notice. 1t consists of IA eliptcal arches Of so
feet span and 10 feet rise, and is well built
and handsome structure.
From Cumberland to Piedmont, 80 miles, the
scenery is remarkably picturesque - perhaps
more 80 than upon any other section of the
road of similar length. For the first % miles, to
the mouth Of the New Creek, the Knobly Noun
tain bounds the valley of the North Branch Of
the Potomac on the left hand going west, and
Wills and Dams mountains on the right thence
| to Piedmont the river lies in the gap which it
has cut through the latter mountain.
| The following points may be specially no.
| ticed
| The general direction of the road is south
west, for % miles, to the mouth of New Creek
| The Cliffs which occur at intervals dufing the
first 10 miles.
The wide bottom lands extending for the next
A miles, with some remarkably bold and beauii
full mountain peaks in view.
The high rocky bluffs along Fort Hill, and the
grand mural precipice opposite to them, on the
Virginia shore, Immediately below the Black.
oak Bottom" celebrated farm embracing 500
acres in a single plain, between mountains of
great height.
The chimney hole rock" at The termination
of Fort Ill., Il singular crag, through the base
Of which the railroad company have driven a
tunnel under the road to answer the purpose of
a bridge for several streams entering the river
at that point
The crossing of the Potomac from the Mary
land to the Virginia shore, II miles from Cum
berland where the railroad, after passing through
a long and deep excavation, spans the river by a
bridge OF timber and iron, on stone abutments
and pier The view at thia point, both up and
down the river, is very fine. Here we took in
water and had leisure to look at the bridge. 1t
is noble structure, rooted end weather boarded
II has two spans of 100 feet each making the
total length $40 feet. On the west end OF the
bridge are the words " Potomac Bridge, 1851 >
Designed by b. II. Latrobe, chief engineer -
Executed by A. Fink, assistant engineer; j.
c. Davis, carpenter"
The "Bull's Head Rock )" mile beyond this
point the railroad, having cut through the neck,
has left the head standing, bold block of rock
breasting the river, which dashes hard against
it. Immediately on the other side of the cut
made by the railroad through the neck, rises a
conical hill of great height
The mouth of New Creek-where there is a
beautiful plain of a mile and more in length,
and opposite to which is the long promontory Of
Pine Hill" terminating in "Queen's Cliff" on
the Maryland side Of the river. The profile
and pass of Dams Mountain is seen in bold re-.
lief to the Northwest, to which direction the
road now changes its course
| The road skirts the foot of "Thdnder Hill,'
and winds along the river margin, bounded by
Dams Mountain and its steep spurs, for 7 miles,
up to Piedmont The current of the river is
much more rapid here than below, and islands
are more frequent.
Piedmont--a fiat of limited extent opposite
the small but ancient village of Westernport, at
| the mouth of Georges creek. Here the com
dany intend to concentrate the motive power
necessary, at this point, Gas its name expresses)
to surmount the great summit dividing the
eastern and western waters. There is already
erected large and handsome engine house of
circular form, the walls of brick and the roof Of
iron, upon a new design, combining ghtness
with strength, and perfectly fire proof A
spacious water house, of handsome appearance,
| 10 otoO oil d ou1 fhn daft nf
tensive workshop are prepared. The water is
raised into the reservoir by hydraulic rams
operated by the river. At Piedmont, the coal
trade of this the richest part of the great Cum
berland coal basin will concentrate. The PhG
nix company have already opened n mine just
across the river ION the Maryland side) and have
nearly finished their tracks and bridge for a con.
necton with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
The Georges Creek company are also actively
engaged in building their railroad from the
mines and iron works at Homecoming, miles
distant up the valley of Georges creek. We ar
rived here at fifteen minutes past o'clock, and
noticed that since last year many new buildings
have gone up, the spirit Of improvement being
very agreeably manifested. The plan of, the
engine house at this point was suggested by the
chief engineer, Mr. Latrobe, and the design ad
mirably carried out by Mr.. Alfred Fink, assistant
engineer. The brick work was done by An.
drew Bolman; carpenters work by--Wis
hart; sheetiron work by Rothrock 81 Peacock
of Baltimore; the cast iron work done at Mt.
Clare shops-the whole being fitted up under
! Mr.. James Clark, of Mt Glare depot 1t is
shaped very much like a marque and is arranged
to hold Is engines, and cost between $ll 900
and $4,000.
Mr. John II. Tegmeyer, assistant road master
had joined us at Cumberland, and his familiarity
with this section of the road--whch he has
been unceasng in his exertions to build up
was of much benefit to the party. VIM. p
Ponder, esq commissioner of public works, had
also Joined US at Baltimore
West OF Piedmont the road ascends II miles
by grade, of which ! | miles is at the rate OF
ll6 feet per mile, to the "Altamont" summit
The points worthy of notice in this distance are
The stone vaduct of arches, of Sc feet span,
over the Potomac river, whore the road re.
crosses into Maryland. 1t is substantial and
handsome structure, and elevated so feet above