Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-07
From the American Railroad Journal.
Alexandria, Loudorn, and Hampshire. Rail
raud-

The project of a railroad from Alexandria to
the coal region near Cumberland has been for
a long time entertained. The company assum.
ing the construction of that work, impressed
with its magnitude and importance, have thus
Tar devoted their energies mostly to the ascer-
tainment of a practicable and economical route;
and have in fact done little toward soliciting
subscriptions in aid of their enterprize. until
they should have fully determined upon the
route to be followed. As the result Of careful
aud widely extended surveys, although made
preliminary to the final location Of the road,
tie company now announce their line as settled
upon its general ultimate location.
The road is to commence at Alexandria and
terminate at Piedmont on the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad, the terminus Of the road having
been fixed FIVE miles beyond Paddytown, the
point contemplated heretofore. The whole dis
lance on the shortest surveyed line is lG9t
miles.
Two practicable gaps for passing the Blue
Ridge chain of mountains have all along been
considered. These are locally known as KEYS
aud Smokers Gaps, and are respectively six
and eighteen niles south Of Harper's Ferry. end
| are considered as the only available passes ap
propriale to the direction and objects of this
road. The shortest line occupies the southern
orSnicker's Gap. Hence it crosses the Sbenan-
doah river, passes rsa- Winchester, thence
westerly to near Romney, and thence runs to
the Baltimore and Ohio road at Paddytown and
| follows the track Of that road to Piedmont. By
the north line to Keys Gap, which breaks tn:
Blue Ridge six miles south of Harper's Perry.
the whole length is IT'S miles. TIE maximum
grade gong east with loaded coal trains will pe
% feet per mile, and going west with empty
coal trains 79 feet per mile. Each line would
require fourteen tnnuels, their aggregate length.
upon the south line being three and scven-tenths
miles.
The estimated cost ofthe southern or shortest
line, with q single line Of rails, but graded,
tunnelled and bridged for double track, is
So,56o,3OO, which sum might be reduced, by
grading ct first only for single track, to 81.
oI5,40O. To this sum would be added 1000
ooo for an equipment Of the annual capacity
Ut 100000 TONS Of coal For an annual
movement Of 100000 tons Of coal and mixed
passenger and freight business. an equipment
OF Sl,572,000 value is estimated, including 80
locomotives and over 500 cars.
1t is estimated that the road can be built in
the best manner, but having no work for double
track, except at tunnels and bridges, equipped
sufhcient for opening business, including 40
81, 900, 900.
Assuming that the road could carry coal 10
Its fuli capacity, at II cents per ton per mile,
II is shown that after allowing a most liberal
cost OF operation the road would pay over 8
per cent upon cost Of twelve and half mil.
lions.
1t is one great step which we look upon as
now accomplished, to prove the existence Of u
practicable route for this road. IL is the re.
suit to which the company have devoted their
energies, and pending which they have post.
poned any general organization 10 secure the
funds necessary for the construction OF their
road.
20 soon as their operations become active it
IS believed the State will extend aid in the
manner i has already done to similar enter.
prizes IL sectional jealousies do not prevail
IN the State councils this aid may be looked
upon as certain. And then it remains for the
people OF Alexandria, Winchester and other
points to make up the balance.
Ii the road is built, and operated as q, first
class work, 1t will increase the business OF the
whole lines through Wheeling, Parkersburg.
liedmont, Baltimore, and Alexandra. II will
maintain competition, and increase the &C.
commodaiion Of railroad facilities. SO long
a. 1t conhnes itself TO the coal movement il