Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-04-14
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NARROW GUAGE RAILROADS.

Their Cost as Compared with Broad
Guage.
We take pleasure in inserting in this
mornings issue few facts in reference to
narrow guage railroads, through the
courtesy of Capt, 03Gavanderhoof. Civil
Engineer, who Is making narrow guage
ss fSs asjst sBsi e H. asItsf
narrow guage railways as feeders and aux
illaries2 to establish trunk Lines, and for
the opening Of sections now practically in-
accessible except by common roads, has be-
come within comp ely rshortf time
one Of almost universal Interest. SAAA J"
In every country the question Of guage
is under discussion, I but in sthe United
States it has attained in the popular esti-
nation an Importance greater than that
which attaches TO any Oother question OF
engineering interest
In, most Of the States special Legislal
tive Committees have been appointed to
consider and report upon the practicabili-
ty of the system, and to suggest such forms
of legislation as may best be calculated to
encourage the construction of such Eroads.
A Committee appointed by the Legisla-
ture of Massach usetts. toinvestigate upon
the practicabi1ity of this system have re-
ported favorably, and ask such legislation
that will encourage their reconstruction, and
recommend their general adoption.
The great difficulty heretofore in build
ing common gauge railroad, was the
great amount Of money expended before
any profits could be realized, and many
WIG have invested in these enterprises
have been Compelled to ,disposeof their
stock at reduced prices, having never re-
ceived cent in dividends, as the Earnings
oftentimes are insufficient to pay the ex-
penses of the road.
BY adopting the marrow gauge system,
we can secure more railway seommunica-
tons and receive larger dividends than the
same amount of money has done hereto
fore. <--E-
With this system, our sections heretofore
inaccessible on account of the extreme
cost of constructing the broader gauge, can
now be penetrated, by the iron horse, Sc
curing to the people better facilities OF
portation, and securing to the stock
holder a dividend worthy of its hire. Q
Illinois, but few years ago territory,
now ranks as one of the most wealthy
States in the Union. Her chain of rail-
roads have done all this, for every locality
has its easy access to railway communica-
tons.
The following is comparative cost of
the five foot and three foot gauges after
graded and prepared Tor the track. NO
definite figures can be made in reference
to the grading, as it would vary in differ
ent localities. Grading per mile will ave-
rage between 81 900 and So 600, according
to the locality and the amount of bridging
and masonry to be put up. ssfs =
FIVE FooT eUAeE-RAIL FIFTY-FIvE POUNDS.
a-A TO THE YARD. ft+"
81 tons of rail at SO 90 per ton....".. $1,000 90
400 rail-splices- at l 00..,,....,........ 400 W
$500 spikes at 6...,................ 90 90
2640 crossties at 50....... ........... 1920 90
Laying mile 500 90
Total. S85S7 90
THREE FooT GuAeE-RAIL THIRTY POUNDS
PER YARD. ff'"
All tons rails at SO 0o......$3562 so = /
$50 rail-splices at 3D.. d65 90
$500 lbs spikes at - 6..... I'll 70
5000 crossties at 25...... 100 90
Laying mile track................. 800 90
ntL,2kIq CAV s1ass 20