Western Reserve chronicle and weekly transcript of the times. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1854-1855, 1855-01-03
Cleveland & Mahoning R. r.
ENGISEER DEPARTMENT. c. & VI. X. RI
CLEVELAND, December 20. ISL. Z

Cleveland & Mahoning R. R.
ESGIxEER DEPARTMENT. C. & VI. Il. R.1
CLEVELAND. December 20, lSji.S
70 the President & Directors Of the
Cleveland Il Mahon;ng Rail Road Company:
Gentlemen. Since the date OF my last Report,
which contained a description and comparison Ut
the various routes surveyed. with an estimate of
their cost, the work on O. miles from Cleveland has
been let To Contractors. and the road led ON the
Western Division to Warren Is now nearly ready
for the superstrueture.
GRADING AND MASONRY.
On the Sd of March, 1853, contracts were con-
cluded for the grading and masonry OF 50 miles
from Cleveland to Warren. and ON the 18th Of Nav
following. for II additional miles, from Warren to
Crab Greek, Just below Youngstown. The work Of
construction was commenced on the 10th of March,
1853, ON Section 3. near the mouth Of KinSsbury
Run, and during the ummer aud autumn OF that
wear was steadily prosecuted, with the exception re-
fcrrei TO below. ard Il rs rapidly as was deemed nee
cess,ry To secure its completion ready for the super
structure by the time tie iron rails could be prOcu-
red.
The contractors To- whom the central norton Of
the line wasallutted, having failed to proSecHte their
work with 4 force sufficient to complete it . The
time specified, their contract was declared Forfeited
on the 18th October. 1858. and 4 number of sections
were consequently for a time suspended. The in
efficient manner in which their work was carried ON
during the best months Of the wear. and alta time
financially favorable for railroad construction, and
the ultimate failure of the contractors, have serious
Is retarded the completion of the road. Had they
exerted ordinary energy and good management in
pushing forward their contract. l have no doubt
that the road would now be in full operation 10
Warren. By neglecting to secure the foundations
and forward the masonry of several important
bridges in the proper season. not only the compile
ton of the structures themselves, but that of the ad-
jacent embankments was necessarily deferred to
another season; and when they finally abandoned
the work. IL was too late that wear to remedy the con-
sequences of their ineihciency and neglect.
The several sections thus forfeited were, as soon
as practicable. Telet. and until July last the whole
line under contract was making satisfactory prog
ress. At that time, the Board of Directors instruc-
ted me. in consequence of the great and increasing
stringency inthe money market, TO reduce the force
on the whole line, whereverit could be dome with
out working serious damage to the contractors
Accordingly. a gradual reduction In. been effected
and the monthly estimates during the winter will
not exceed the available means Of the company to
meet them.
1t being. moreover. evident that nothing would
be gained by completing the work between War
rem and Youngstown this wear. or sooner than the
line from Cleveland to Warren could possibly be
finished. II was deemed advisable to cancel the csn-
tract for that portion of the lire. which bv mutual
consent was accordingly done on the 9Th July last,
and the grading on those sections was entirely suS-
pended. The masonry, however. has been steadily
prosecuted BY the party to whOm ii was assigned by
the original contractor, and who now hold their
contract directly from the company. The masonry
being thus advanced, the grading, when resumed,
can befinished in 4 few months.
BRIDGING.
A beautiful and substantial iron bridge Of so feet
6 inches spen in the clear. has been erected over the
Ohio Canal AT Cleveland and one of three spans of
20 feet each. on the same plan Is nearly roady for the
crossing of the MahOning River at Warren Con-
tracts have been made for wooden superSsructures
for the other large bridges. to wit; one over the Guy
ahoga river at Cleveland of two spans of l2Oteet
each; o, e of the same dimensions al the crossing OF
the Chagrin River. on section 21; one of9Ofeetspan
over the Cuyahoga River, on section 20 in Mantua
township: and one of 40 feet span. in the clear, over
the MahOning River, on section Al. The material
is already provided, and the contractors are ready
to ommenc the framing and erection OF the same
whenever required
CROSs-TIES.
The contract for furnishing and delivering the
Crossties for the entire line to Youngstown rs in the
hands of efficient and responsible men, who have al
ready delivered upon the line of the road, more than
on half of the whole number required.
EXPENDITURES.
The total amount expended for Grading. Ma
sonry, and Bridging. at the date of the last month
" estimate. November 2jth, Is S3j5,O45,GS be-
tween Cleveland and Warren, and the amount Of
work remaining to be done between the same
points, at contract prices. is $ll9,5lO. making an
average Of SS.95@, per mile. The amount expen-
ded between Warren and Youngstown, including
section 10 passing the town of Warren, IS SiO.25O,-
81. and TO be done SS0,3S2. averaging $3.50 per
mile, making the total value of work done on the
whole line 1895 1851, and remaining to be done
Sl99,S92. The whole cost Of I'll" Grading, Ma
sonry and Bridging from Cleveland To 1ounSs-
town thus amounts to Sj95,1S7,57 or an average
of SS,Sl7.59 per mile.
In nv original estimate Of the same items the
cost to Warren was set down At S+0j-966- 1t will
be seen above that the actual cost Will exceed this
estimate by 6S,GO0. This difference is readily ac-
counted for. BY the failure OF the contractors
above referred to, the work had to be relet, and of
course at increased prices, For under what cir
cumstancess oever a contract may be given up. the
whole experience Of railroad construction testIleS
that the railroad company suffer by the transaction.
In the presentcase, the season CT the year at which
the work was abandoned. the scarcity of men, the
high prices of provisions, and the condition III
which the work was left. made it impossible to re
let it. except at an advance on the original prices,
prices which at the time the work was underta-
ken were ample and remnnerating with propersu-
peryiSion and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 10 more
than $4,000, or l. PER cent, on the whole amount
of their contract. The estimate has also been i'll
creased by a change in the location OF the line at
the crossing ofthe Cleveland, Columbus Y Cincin-
cinnatti Rail Road. by an amount OF rot less than
S2j,OUO; these two items alone accounting for
10000 out of SGS.COO Indifference between the es-
innate and actual cost.
In addition TO the amount expended in c%Onstruc-
ton as above. there has also been paid for cross
ties s22.420,GS; for right of way sIj.f23.64; for
Real Estate. Depot Grounds, &c. SJU.i9S.IS. For
Fencing s3.63OO3. for Engineering. Superintend-
ence, field instruments, &c, S34.I22,6-; and Tor
Gravel Cars $3.50; making the total amount ex-
pended to date, as above enumerated S62s,j33'32.
CONDITION OF THE WORK.
The following sections are completed, 4, ., 60,
Is. 10. %, 20. 80, 81. -. 81, 20, SO, 80, 40. 4l,+2,
43 and a; in all 20 sections, measuring in length
90 miles. Sections 8. :, s. II, u, Ii, 10. n, %. 2S,
.33, 81 and SO, thirteen sections, in length 10 I'D
miles. Can be finished I'm about one month of good
weather, at 4 cost OF SISG05. The remaining ii
sections, |, ,, 10, IS, Ills. 20, 81, -, 70 and %,
will require from three to i've months to complete
them. according TO the necessity of the case and the
force employed. i
The masonry with few exceptions is finished and
will not interfere with the prosecution OF the Sra-
ding. 1t will thus lie seen that Il the means can De
realized TO paw for the work as II progresses and II
satisfactory negotiations for the iron rails can be
the road may be in operation early in the
autumn of next wear from Cleveland 10 Warren,
and from Warren TO Youngstown in few weeks
YOUNGSTOWN TO NEWCASTLE.
Below Youngstown a careful location has been
made to Newcastle, a distance OF lS4 miles andes
timated to cost $4,000. There is no heavy work
upon this portion of the line, and in a few months
after commencing work upon it, it could % ready
fer the superstructurs. For about 8 miles next 10
Newcastle. two entirely different routes have been
One by the way Of the Western Reserve
and the other by way of AiahoninE Town
The results Of these surveys were laid before yOui in
detail at your meeting in October, and Is nOtnec-
essary TO refer to them now. further than to say,
that both are coed, practicable lines, differing but
little in length or cost. The selection, in IT Judge
ment. should be determined mainly with the view
Of securing the best connection with tire North
Western Rail Road of Pennsylvania, which termi-
lates here, and which with our road audthe Penn
;ylyania Rail Road forms indispUtabiy the best
md shortest through line from the greet Lakes at
Cleveland to the Atlantic seaboard. Fortunately,
his can be accomplished without detriment TO the
interest of Newcastle. which should not. and need
lot be disresarded. The great and increasing bus
ness of this enterprising and hourishing town will
a very important part of the local trade Of
,ur road.