The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-19
Spanis7l-AmeIicEn Railway Enterprises Ia
New York.

AMERICAN ENGINEERS FOR MExICo--AN IRON BRIDGE
FOR CHILE.
The progress or railway ana other mechanical enter
prises in Mexico and South America is making continued
drauehts upon the skill OF engineers and mechanics
and at the present time most of the rivers Of
those countries navgatcd by American built boats
The greater economy perfection Of work gadu
ally but surely displacing European competition with
in the industrial Development Of South America. We
published time the particulars OF grant for
raaay from Vera Cruz, obtained by Don Antonio Escan-
don. Mr. Escandon has been some weeks here, in com
pany with Mr. Worral, Of the managing directors of
the company for the purpose of examining the work
ing of railway system and adapting all our latest i'm
pIovemcntS 10 their new roac
These gentlemen have secured the services Andrew
Tacott formerly OF the T. s. Typographical Engineers and
recently chief engineer and superintendent OF the Ohio
and Mississippi Railroad for the survey Of tho whole line
country between Vera Cruz and the city OF Mexico
we'll be chief engineer OF the whole road Col Tai
colt will proceed 10 Vera Cruz the first of next MONTH
with competent stah OF engineers, and We consider the
appointment OF that gentleman guarantee for the seec
tion Of the best line for the new road.
Messrs. Escandon and Worrau having completed their
arrangements in this country propose proceeding TO Eu
rope to examine the railways OF England France aud Bel
gum, that their return the work he proceeded
with in the most energetic manner and already vessel
has been despatched FROM this port for Vera Cruz, laden
with portion OF the engineer corps, iaeorers aud sup
plies.
About twenty-five miles of this road arc in running
order the having been In operation for year or
two past.
enterprises
impetus by the determination Of the government to finish
the construction OF the railroad from Valparaiso 10 santa
go the capital for which purpose has passed Law
thorzng foreign loan Of millions Of dollars AMI
another giving State aid to the amount OF $500 900 to the
southern Railroad Most Of the engineers OF these roads
Americans and this leads to the introduction Anne.
rican improvements in road building there.
An iron bridge Of nine spans has recently been con
sraetcd in Brooklyn by ~ White, fsq in the yard adj
joining the Atlantic foundry IL Foster Leach Co.. ~her
the castings have been made
II entirely OF iroD with the exception OF the flooring
for the railroad track, which will be constructed OF um
Der procured in the vicinity The Ter 9Th OF each span Is
liz feet and the clear opening 102 feet The top chord
and vertical posts made OF Salisbury cast iron each
chord being cast lengths OF ten feet, and applied
double, with splice piece Of wrought iron, lifted
sby of displacement The braces and the bottom
chord made OF Ulster rolled iron The last l. double the
parts being each inches deep aud seven cghth5
thick, with splicing pieces both between and outside at
each Joint The length Of each section, the distance
between the vertical struts i've feet each strut like
every other portion being Of the best ron and admirably
proporoned the greatest possible strength and
stiffness, with the least material The iron IN the nine
spans all from New York and Connecticut veins will
weigh about $50 tons.
The Gambler arching, OF each span inches when
supporting only us weight In addition to the Sc
parate testing OF the most important parts the span rst
alluded 20 is supporting mass OF car wheels and
ballast weighing $50 tons, and this load produces
DETECTION Of only about inchcsnot sufficient 10 spring
the structure down 20 straight line.
bridge OF similar TO this, built BY the
parties under Col Longs patent has been IN use Tor
about three years a railroad ia Peru, Pnda recent
mnaon has proved that II remains precisely a. was
when rst erected no perccpbie detection having taken
place.