Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-16
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER


the First Division OF the road which terminates at
the end of the 24th section.
The Graduation aud Masonry arc now complete
with the exception OF two points when require
small quantity of riprappins, and TIE replacing OF
the material used for lcvcling the track
The rails are now laid over the whole OF the d.
vision, with the exception OF the sd,inS at Lewi'
Johnstons at the beginning Of sec . and at lierh
don. sec. 30 Three miles are fully ballasted, ano
eight more partially 80.
The track has been laid in the first place upon
the graded surface, and the ballast hauled upon II
with tho locomotives and cars. This was necessary
because the gravel could only be obtained ut I'VE
points in any quantity-on Sec ana on sec. II
that on sec = is now exhausted, and the quarry Oh
Sec H. which has just been opened, promises TO sup
ply large quantity of excellent material.
The cross ties which have been furnished are
generally of fine quality, the greater part BENG
of Young white oak, some OF which have been ac
cspted although of slightly less width than that
understood IN the contract, being in the OPINION o
the engineer more serviceable than those OF fuller
dimensions and of other timber, which the con'rae'
tor would have right 10 substitute Tor them.
The Bridges on this Division are now complete
and have been for some time daily crossed WIN
heavy loads ofirvn without showing the shshtes'
Indication Of insecurity:
presu,ninp the materials of which they are mad,
bear three times the greatest load that could, 10y
any means, be put upon them, proViaea II come
vertically upon the track.
II il impracticable to sustain the ears or thc
bridge if BY any accident they should be THROWN
OBJ the track while going at = high rate oi speed
care aud good mana gcment are the only SaieSuara'
here as well as at all other precptous places aioNe
the road The destruction ot the hrst prluSe acros'
Four Mile Run in August last, Is attributable !,
such n cause on which occasion the materials useo
were shown to be OF the best quaiity
The timber aud most Of the castings Tor 'he "'he'
BRIDGES are delivered AT the Depot lot III Aiexah
dria, where they are now being framed, thal ioi
Bro,d run being ready for erection. These dlhei
from those which are already W IN the slnPlinca
ton Of the details and other Improvements: 'he!
act upon the principle to winch "ho"es Truss
owes ,ts merit but with different arrangement
aud proportion of its parts, winch are put !" VIZ
most economical position, and vi dimensions Pi''
portioued TO the various strains 10 which they are
subject. and connected in the most secure ana SIN
plsst manner: this being accomplished It Is ireeu
from nil claims to patent rights. Al no point uoe'
the strength depund upon weld OF the iroh' ioi
these have beon entirely discarded, a being Toe
uncertain to be depended upon; but III every cast
the round fibrous iron is used aS IL comes IRON
the rolls. with screw threads cut upon the rods
with nuts of such depth as to ensure the saih'
strength ut the point where they bear as that given
by the nett diameter OF the rod Inc castings n''
of such shape as not to be liable TO fracture uur
ing the lowest temperature ana III such pos'''''
that no damage could il possibly that Shoul'
happen. -, :.
Though this is called 4 wooden bridge, II:
s,rsnyt6 depends upon wrought iron, as Is the east
with all other wooden bridges now III use; therefore
the prejudice which has lately sprung up as"ln'
iron as material in bridge building apphes a
nuch here As in the case of those composed entire
" of IRON But this is a perfectly grounuiesS Cd
lection, and should have been aimed at the deiec
in the plans and uncertain execution oil many o
those which have lately failed When TINS uiatc
rial is properly secured at the functions and OF I'll
mensinps sufficient for the strains, which can al
he reduced TO a certainty, it is quite as rellaDi'
uhen employei in one bridge ~ IN another u
maintained in its proper poSiti"h theh the primer
pal question becomes one OF cost ana duraoii'y.-
4 bridge made wholly OF east ana wrought IRON vi
IN, suspension truss plan OF Fink Bollinan. mos
now in use and approved OF, having spun sum
Giant for Goose Creek would cost $4,000, which i
| nr,snmed 10 be imperishahc. The one which vii
i, mt there will cost 900, of which S2OOO Is the
| cost of Tia. timber and workmanship upon II: TIM
AT the end of ten years will begin to need repairs
and nj the end Of fourteen years VIII DC ehlHey
renewed which would be i'll effect the expenditure
of $4,000 every twelve years. The interest "i
the amount saved III first cost would then DC sZooo
which would In more than sufficient TO repair II
continually. :,
AtAlexandra there is a brick engine house will
four stalls, and turntablc. and large frame Woo
shed complete. The brick freight house, l"o lee
by So with two tracks inside. Is now being roolec
over with slate and the brick passenger depot, D:
feet by 40 of two stories lie nearly to the SECOND
floor.
At"Falls Church." sec. ~. there Is freight anc
passenger house Of frame complete, with the Dcpo
grounds graded.
Al "vicnpa," sec. IA, there is y freight and pas
sepcer house nearly finished. and grounds graded
\ water house and wood sheds finished, except th'
laying Of the water pipe. On sec. a"a'er station
is in operation.
Two first class engines, which are Of the lates
patterns of Vim. Mason, Taunton, Mass, VIII
twenty freight and one passenger car are up"i
the track, ~ twenty more freight ears VIII be mn
ished in few days.
know of nothing further that II Is nece>Sar!
for me to report to you. Respectfully,
RICHARD RANDOLPH.
Engineer First Division