The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-02-04
The Hartford County Rail Road.
Repori or Emqi,.ees. FusEe,..


PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 18th, 1870.
To the Commitee Of Surrey Of tile Hartford
County Railroad:
Gentlemen Il was directed by President
Hinckley to make preliminary survey of
the Hartford County Railroad, beginning at
Bel Air and connecting at some point on
the F., w. 81 B. r. r. Ito be decided upon
a!.cf an examination of the country and
ordered to report to you.
In accordance with your Instructions "to
connect at the point that would give the
cheapest, shortest, and best road TO Balti-
MORE" after hasty examination decided
that point to be at Magnolia, and beg leave
to submit the following report, with csti-
mate of cost, &c:
Beginning at point on the Bel Air and
Baltimore Turnpike, little to the west of
Bel Air, in and near the head of Plum Tree
Branch, having in view connection with
the Baltimore Central Line from Deer
Greek, as run by Engineer Hood, we follow
the branch to its mouth at " inter's Run,
near HGllingworth's mill, three miles and
a-halt.
Its gradual descent in the first mile and
rapid descent on the third mile Tin 5000
feet il falls 20 feet prevents us from getting
uniform grade, and necessitates heavy
grade for one mile and a-half, though the
line is generally good.
Following Winters Run on the east side
for one-fourth Of mile, we cross it and
run on the west side lie to II point
where it turns abruptly and runs nearly at
right angles to our line. Leaving it here,
we follow one of its tributaries mile, with
| 10 T. a., in1,
brings us to the highest point between the
Run and Magnolia, to which place we run
in very direct line over a rolling country
the distance from Bel Air to Magnolia
being tent miles, which will not be materi-
ally varied in location.
The maximum grade is 80 feet per mile,
the grades generally being from 10 to 60
feet.
The estimated cost per mile is $4,000,
divided as follows:
Grading, $10,500
Rails, chairs, spikes, ties, and track
laying, $500
Bridges and masonry, $500
Stations, 500
Contingencies, &C., 1900
Bel Air, according to previous surveys, is
on an elevation above the tide Of $50 feet,
and 2Sl miles from Baltimore, via the
Baltimore Central r.. r. Line and Stem
mer's Run, by the most direct line, with 20
miles ofrailroad to Euild and stock at $35,
900 per mile to make connections, and by
the present survey it is the same distance
from Baltimore, with only 10 miles OF road
to build, at $4,000 per mile, easier grades
and less curvature.
Bel Air, by present surveys, is 313 feet
above and 81 miles in an air line from
Magnolia, 10 miles 10y preliminary line
81 miles in an air line from Edgwood; 81
miles from Perrymansville, and Is miles,
via B. G. Line and Deer Creek, to Susque-
hanna River; 284 miles by present line to
Baltimore.
The present line passes near the follow
ing places Fallston, 81 miles; Stock
ton, 2 miles; Jerusalem Mills, q miles
Abingdon, miles; Emmorton, 1 ] miles
Clayton, mile.
The general line is good one and more
than an average of lines generally through
such country, the greatest deviation being
in Plum Tree Branch.
After leaving Winters Run we follow
the "air line" very closely, crossing it four
times.
In conclusion, let me thank you for the
able assistance rendered for the many ia
yors received and the people on the line
generally for their kindness and hospi-
tally.
Hoping that the line may prove satisfac-
tory and that The time is not far distant
when the road will be completed, l am
Very truly, yours,
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