Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-05-07

Lei Us hist CUupdEG Inc lNO IOutCe3
the eastern and the western, and see
which is the preferable route, and en-
quire whether it was a stupid imbecility,
or corrupt motives which induced the
directors and agents of the corporation
to locate the road where they did, or
whether the delinquent stockholders are
actuated by a sordid selfshness, a logged
obstinacy, by motives which all honora-
bic men should blush to own.
To select ronte for railroad it is ne
cessary to get the most level, the shortest
and straighte5t line for the road. All
these requisites are desirable in COM
mon Wagon road, but in q railroad are
still more important on account of the
greater importance of the road, and the
greater expense in operating and using
it. High elevations and deep depres-
sions, requiring deep cuts and high en-
bankments to bring the line of the road
to practical level, we all know should
be avoided.
The great expense Of making the road
and running tho cars make it Golf evident
that the shortest route is 10 be preferred.
And in regard 10 curves or short devia-
tons from q straight line, which are of
/ little consequence in common roads, are
especially to be avoided in a railroad; as
short curve diminishes the speed of the
cars, increases the wear and tear of the
road, and are also dangerous on account
of the liability Of cars running off the
track.
4 glance at the map of our country
would seem to be sufficient to convince
any one that the western or river route
was far preferable to the other or eastern
route in all these particulars, as being
shorter, level, and having less curves.
We here perceive Barton river extending
almost in direct line towards Montreal,
the point at which the road is finally to
terminate. Althouchthe descent for one
or two miles below Barton may be some
what steep, YET the grade of the road may
be graduated along the side of the valley
at the pleasure Of the engineer, and when
the low lands are once reached the line Of
the road along the margin of the river, is
not only straight but is almost an uniform
level to Canada line.
BY the other route after leaving Bar
ton, turn OF curve is made to the north
east, an elevation of more than two hun
dred feet is to be passed to get to Charles
town, the line of the road then falls as low
as to get to the Clyde river, another rise
is then to be overcome to get to Derby
Centre, and a succession Of deviations anC
depressions are to be met to arrive at the
/, village of Derby Line, a point some 35t
feet higher, and two and one fourth miles
further from the direct line of the
road, than the terminus on the road a.
now located. These points would be APP.
parent to a man of common observation
one who was not a scientific and practical
engineer. BY the actual survey of the
two routes we arrive at the following
facts
The distance from Barton to Canads
Line, by the westernroute 20 miles
By the eastern route, q miles
Difference in favor of the
western route. miles
Amount ofrisc and fall on the western
route, 27O feet
On the eastern COS
Difference in favor of the
western route, 338 .
The difference of estimated cost of bull
ding the two roads is Sl3l,000 less OF
the western than on the eastern route.
The western route has also great ad.
vantage over the eastern in not having
the short and dangerous curves that oc-
cur so frequently on the eastern route.
But the construction of the road is no
the only question involved in the case
The road is not only TO be built, the car:
must run upon it, and run at heavy ex.
penSe, and at more or less hazard of If,
and property. For q general rule, a roaC
that Is difficult to make, is expensive anC
dangerous in operating it. The friction
and wear both of the rails and machinery
on road Astounding in steep ascents aDd
descents is enormous, the motive DO wei
also must be increased, and the speed o.
thecars diminished.
Every highway surveyor knows how
difficult it is to maintain a good wagon
road over high hills, and every teamster
knows how more liable his harness is t.
break IN going up or down hills than or
the level and the liability and danger o.
such accidents on rail road, is mucI
greater than on a common Wagon road
as the giant power of the engine exceed: