New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-03-11
NEUyoRK DauY TRIBIJNE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH II, 1868

much worn for safety when the first imperfectiOn was
visible but the day before.
Manesty the adoption OF steel rails far praotlca
be and iron rails OF superior quality ana heavier sec
wcight of ngines and cars as equipment becomes
necessary Tie tendency OF late years mas Deen 10 larger
cars this has been carried to such en- extent as to
render them Ont OF all proportion 70 tAe sttehsn anu
durability Of track Especially has TINS been the iact
The condition Of the at the present date Is snch as
of trains We cannot and do not attempt to make the
schedule time with our trains nearly ali lose rom Two
onyby the exercise Of extreme canton we have been
able thus far to escape serious accident.
Avery large quantity Of rails must be alu as soon as
the weather win permit and they can be furnished.
In conclusion, desire to modify my estimate Of the
careful observation OF the whole road assisted by IN,
formation obtained from division superintendents and
ns OF rails viii be needed 10 keep up your track IN 1865
and would earnestly recommend that as large proper
obedient servant, II. RIDDLE, General superintendent
OFFICE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT,
NEW-YoRK, March 3, 1863 )
To he Hon. J. S. ELDRIDGE, President Erie RatIdy Cont
sR careful review Of the present condition Of the
motive power Of the Erie Railway company enables me
to present tho following statement Tor your cohsdera
The company own 81 'lOcomotves-of this number
about 80 are condemned as entirely useless ana some 80
more are of but little value, owing to tier long service
and general nfrmty beng considered UNSAFE 70 carry
even moderate steam pressure and sure 70 Deee es
have performed over 10 years service anu Ia2 ~ e
number over IS years service The masEer tS
port 12s these locomotives requiring new Doieis
and recommend the complete reconstruction OF lo OF te
number Whenever the boilers snail be reneWeu oE
other words instead Of giving the old engine anew Doe
1t deemed more 10 TIE interest Of the company 10 con-
sruct complete new engine, Tor the following reasons
Most OF these engines OF the Kind known hacrank
engnes-an expensive and troublesome class 10 Keep ~
repair Tho engines having been solong IN service no He
of any Of their parts They are OF great variety OF pat
terms and make u 20 SeSe being
something over 80 different kinds OF engines On the Etc
II viii be seen by the foregoing that the company have
only 800 ervceable engines considerably less than that
of really efficient From Is TO @ per cent are IN
shops undergoing repairs ordinarily at this season often
larger proportion. Our mechanics eslimate t1e ne VI
an engine at Is years Assuming that 70 De True We
should build 20 every year TO keep our goo good 70 say
nothing OF the 20 IDLE and wor,hess Dut as we nave
added by purchase aud construction only " new
to our stock during the last two years we are az INC
present moment % engines short OF what we SHOULD
have 10 make good the depecation III Wow thete1le,
of e certain increase Of the coal tunnage and proba pie
Increase Of both through and way traffic. feel Jnstied
saving there should be 90 new locomotives auded 10
the equipment Of the road during the next months
In the Companys shops at suSquehanna ana Duh ~ II
worked 10 their capacity with shguI increase VI h
chncry 1t IL estimated 80 engines per annum can pe
butat present working only force suinclent 20
build about onethird that number me engines punt ~
the cOupany's shops IN point OF strength duraOty an
kor locomotive builders and willie their cost may fully
equal perhaps exceed the price Tor when similar
NAV be contracted for yet deem II good policy 10 Iuy
employ own facilities Tor the constructors Oh ensi q
To iii out the number have ventured to Suggest as
needed, 20 VIII DC required OutSue VI
ability TO construct. These would contract for to DC
built after specifications and plans to be furnished by the
companys officers, and under the inspection or GOOD
mechanic TO be selected and paid by the railway COM
pany. In this way think we could obtain SATISFACTORY
machines. .-.-.. "a
also deem It my duty 90 recommend an increase OF
freight and coal cars Say 800 box freight cars ana VV
coal ears in addition TO those heretofore ordered
The coal cars to be needed and the box legl
cars unless the freight traffic should fall on contrary 10
all expectations Respectfully your obedient servant
IT, RIDDLE, General superintendent
ssnce writing the foregoing report haze leafne
from Cen Potter that lie is DESTROYS Of establishing STOCK
wards at Urbana and Cincinnati on the line OF the At
tic and Great Western Railway and taking stock for the
New-YoriS market that has hitherto gone VIA PltsDurg
provided the Erie viii furnish her full proportion Of sOc
GERS This we cannot do without adding say 200 STOCK
cars TO present number and to meet this ana other
demands would respectfully submit the following esti-
mate FOR new cars. ...o..
800 box ears at $500. ............ S2i0VO
go box cattle cars. 40 $500. $4,000
ICO coal duinps at SG.5........... C2'5O
Total ..........Sl s25OO