The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-25
The PaeiGie RsI.rsad..

The commissoDers appointed to examine the
Pacific Railroad. have made their report regard
ing the several roads. and the following dsdcien-
e1es and defects are reDorted on the Eastern Disi-
sion of the road, also the estimates for placing
the same In proper order. There are on the
Eastern Division two thousand three hundred
ties TO the mile being twenty FIVE less than the
average on the Union Pacific Full ballast ia aIso
required for the whole road. The present equie-
ment of the road is as follows: Two hundred and
three permanent culverts and bridges one hun
oTed and eighty.three culverts, most OF which
need rebuilding; two hundred and forty temDo-
rary structures Zone hundred and eighty-seven of
these 10 be replaced by stone culverts. two hun
dred and sixty-three tYestles, to be replaced by
stone arches. There are, IN addition twenty-five
locomotives twenty-one passenger cars, ten bag
gage cars, 242 box cars. 432 fiat cars los stock
cars, az hand cars. The commissioners report
that the present sbop-room, engIne.houses, and
other accommodations are inadequate TO meet the
future wants Of the road, being at no point sui.
hcient for present purposes. The water stations
are fifteen miles apart, and the tanks inadequate
for The purpose. They should, in the opinion Of
the commissioners. be doubled or treblei and
should be more serviceaby constructed. There
being 30 cattle fences, a large outlay is required
for such. The commissioners report that the fol-
lowing estimates Of cost will be necessary TO lace
the eastern division OF the road in proper condi-
ton: Increasing width Of bank TO fourteen feet
S26e eco changes in location TO reduce curva-
ture etc, $40 900; reducing grades, s227 900;
cross-iies, 1922 600; replacing c1verts Of deficient
construction. $500 900; replacing ISL temporary
wood cniverts With stone. $685. 900; replacing rs
,reste bridges for Howe truss, 81 900: replacing
l5s temporary uestle bridges. slO5 900 BALLAST
ine iO5 miles and curviag rails, :526, 500; snow
fences, $40 600; cattle fences, $50 600:
80 additional locomotives, $4,000; Is sd.
ditlonal passenger cars, 100000; 10 bag
gage and express cars, s2s 600; 400 box
freight cars. 100000; engine-hoases, turn
tables. tool shops blacksmiths' shops. and for
tools and materials for same, $500 900; water
stations. SIS .o00 additional building. $4,000;
total So 63o,00O. The foregoing estimates are
made on the basis of the present length Of the
Eastern Division road iO5 miles. TIE rolling
stock sc present on hand il sufficient for the cur.
rent business; the increase will be necessary
when the road reaches terminus either at Den
yer or santa Pc. The commissioners further state
that tbe location Of the road is bad for the reason
thar the builders appear 10 have begun their
work without having an objective point-,hatistD
say, that II usey had intended southern route by
santa Fe, or northern route by way Of
Denver, much better location at less ex-
pense could have been secured. The com
missioDers are also Of opinion that although
IN much better condition than the eastern division
road the Sioux City road fails TO come no to the
requirements OF The act of COnQress on the sub
Jscr. TIE latter ia only a branch of the Union
faclhc proper. being only about seventy miles
loog. Tae report estimates that IL will cost the
following amounts 10 put II 10 satisfactory condi-
ton Increasing the track aad reducing the
grade. 10000; ebutment for Howe truss. $50 600;
three hundred and sixty yards OF bridge masoory
for sbuments g. SIS per yard, $jl750: sixteen
teste bridges, six hundred feet, $1,000; forty
uesile bridges. eight thousand one hundred feet.
Sl2O C00 seveniy-th miles OF ballast s9f 900
eight additional locomotives, 81 1000: three pas
senger cars, slS,0C0; three baggage cars $500
eighty five freight cars, $4,000; engine hoases
machine shops, ETC., $50 90; station building,
sl2eOo water station. $1,000; cattle fences,
$4,000. Total, s7sl $50.