Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-11-20
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Central Railroad

Central Railroad.
We have received a copy of the annual
report OF the President of the Central Rail-
road, from which we learn that the busi-
ness OF the road, during the present ear,
has bcen under all circumstances, very
satisfactory. The receipts from passen-
gers, freight, mail transportation, aud 9TH
er sources show ali aggregate of 1886, 73O
"a, which is $f7,373 46 more than the re-
ceipts OF last year, or an increase of 81 per
cent. on the business of that year. This
is tega rded Us very encouraging, when it
is considered that the wheat crop has not
amounted to more than half the usual
average-that the existence Of cholera in
Richmond greatly diminished the travel
and that low rates Of fare were adopted
Tor all through travel to the springs. III
consequence Of the rates that were adver-
t;sed by tho Iailroad companies Gil tile
South side Of James River:
The report alludes TO the mountain track
over the Blue Ridge Tunnel, which has
proved to be Of immense value. Refer
ence is made to the report of the Chief
Engineer. where it is shown that it " Guild
have been irnpractieabie IL have actommo-
dated the amount Of business done this tall
in any satisfactory way, by horse power,
IN wagans and stages.
The completion Of the CoslRgton and
Ohio Railroad IS shown TO be OF great i'm
portance to the Central and other rail-
roads OF our State, as well as to the James
River Canal. The canal is regareed, not
as rival, but rs most valuable friend
and coadjutor, presenting, ds it does, d line
Of transportation, which. for chez pness Of
cost ard ftsedom from all interruptions,
cannot be surpassed by any on this conti-
nent. The idea toat there is any conflict
of interest between the canal and the Cen
trail Railroad, exists in the minds Of very
few, if any, persons at this time.
The report recommends that surveys
be made before the next meeting OF the
Legislature, upon tire shortening route be-
tween Charlottesville and Richmond, so
as TO ascertain With reasonable certainty
what will be the advantages resulting from
its construction. The board of directors
entertain no doubt Of their incalculable
| Importance
Notwithstanding this kias been year T
unusual financial difficulty and embafrass-
ment the report announces the crafty
ing fact that all contracts have been fulfill
ed, and the grading Of fine road has been
steadily progressing but owing to a
lack OF aid from the Legislature, Tire DO ard
have been unable to contract for laying
down the snperstructure west Of S,aunton
TO point near Milboro,' on SO miles OF
the road, the grading 81 Which is so nearly
flushed that it might have been brought
into use the past season, ii the iron could
have been procured. Fhe report pro.
ceeds: kEeHk, f5zs-t tt5es5zss
Deeming II a matter Of importance to
the compan, which cannot easily be over
estimated, that this section. Of sfhe !bad,
now so near completed should not remain
unproductive another year. MIR Elicit, the
chief engineer Of the company has gone
10 Europe with authority from the board
to dispose d the bonds OF the company to
purchase the iron, and hare .i,e road ON
Pleted. if possible, by the lst day Of June
next.
The board has been unable 10 effect the
sale Of the bonds authorized at the meet
ing in April, to any greet amount ewing
to the unusual stringency Of the money
market. Phey are unwilling 10 affect
their value By allowing them to go of al
reduced rate, when there was no serious
motive for making such a sacrifice. Not.
withstanding all the financial difficulties
Of the psst season, however, large por-
ton Of the strap rail which was originally
laid on the road east of Charlottesville
has been taken up and substituted BY
a GO ID r rail!
The following additions hare been made
to the rolling stock during the year:
8 first class passenger dafs;' 8 second
class cars; 81 eight wheel box cars 5
eight wheel flats; II gravel cars, and 10
locomotives, which added to the former
supply. makes the whole Number 2i2
cars Of all kinds fdr freight is passenger
cars; 6 baggage cars +; 8 express cars, and
20 locomotive engines.--R. Dispatch.