The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-11-19
SNOW FENCES.

SNOW FENCES.
Some protection against snow has already
been provided, and much moro will be ne
cessary. The officers of the road seem to
be aware of the importance of these
structures and were engaged in preparing
the material for them. 1t will undoubted-
ly be expedient to erect snow sheds at
some OF the exposed points, but experience
only can locate them. Properly the saw
ing of expense in operating and repairs
will be so large that no railroad similarly
situated can afford to be without them
We think, therefore, that it will be safe to
leave all this part of the work in the hands
of the company to be done as fast as their
experience shall point out the right places
and the character of the structures to be
built.
THE TRACK.
The track is generally very good, but a
few miles were observed where the heavy
traffic near Omaha had worn the rails con-
siderably; to replace them is a matter of
ordinary repairs and not of construction,
this part of the road having been in opera
ton for four years. About 400 miles of the
track are laid with rails weighing fifty
pounds per lineal yard and with wrought
iron chairs; the remainder is of fifty-six
pounds and laid with fresh joints. The
crossties are generally of pine of fair size
and good quality, excepting those on about
400 miles Immediately west of Omaha,
where originally large proportion were
of cottonwood. Many of those have been
replaced with pine, oak and cedar, but q
large number are still in the track. A part
of the cost Of replacement belongs to the re-
pairs OF the road, but q portion should be
borne by the construction account, as the
crossties were originally inferior. One
hundred thousand dollars above the ordi-
nary repairs is estimated for their replace
ment, the company now having O large
number on hand for that purpose. The
crossties number from 1890 to 2,e4O in
each mile of the track.
The sidings are ample for the business of
the road, amounting to fully nine per cent
of itslength.
BALLAST.
A considerable portion of the road is
well ballasted with good material. Quite
large amount is however, still needed,
especially between Promontory and Ogden
and in the Platte Valley. For the latter it
can only be obtained by very long hauls.-
Still we regard it so important as to Justify
us in estimating the expense of procuring
it.
STATION HOUSES AND WATER TANKS.
The station houses are of good character,
properly located and sufficient in number
to accommodate the business of the road
The company has also erected, at conve-
nient points on its line, several good hotels
and eating houses for the accommodation
of passengers.
There are several long intervals between
water tanks, but the commission is satisfied
all that is practicable is being done by the
company to obtain an abundant supply of
good water.
The discovery ofgood coal in large guam
titles, easily accessible at several points on
ducing the cost of operating. ~ y"
MACHINE SHOPS AND ENGINE HOUSES.
At several places there are permanent
machine shops, well constructed and fully
supplied with machinery and tools. These
are properly located. We have estimated
for building one more at the proposed juno
ton of the two roads. The engine houses
are generally of stone or brick and of suffi
cient size. There are those points at which
others will be required, for which estimates
are made.
EQUIPMENT.
There are upon the line of the road 149
locomotive engines; 26 first class and Is
second class passenger cars, besides the
sleeping cars in use upon the road, but not
owned by the company Is baggage, mail
and express cars; 9S caboose cars, which
can also be used as emigrant cars; 915 box
cars, 1,107 platform cars, besides 800 leased
to and used by other roads. There are
first class passenger and express and bag
gage cars in the course of construction in
The company's shops at Omaha. The freight
cars are considerably in excess of the pres
ent and immediate future wants ofthe road.
In view of very large amount of material
the company have on hand at Omaha, and
their ample facilities for the construction
of passenger cars we have made no esti-
mate for addition to this class ofequipment.
THE TELEGRAPH LINE.
The telegraph line and stations are suffi-
Gent for present purposes, through many OF
the poles are not of the most durable mate
rial.