Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-04-19
NARROW GUAGERAILROADS.
Their Cost as Compared with Broad
Guage,

lnelr JOSt as compared WIFI Broad
Guage.
We take pleasure in inserting in this
mornings issue few facts in reference to
narrow guage railroads, through the
courtesy of Capt o. c. Vandcrhoof. Civil
Engineer, who is making narrow guage
railroads speciality
The question of the practical utility of
narrow guage railways as feeders and aux
illaries to establish trunk lines, and for
the opening of sections now practically in
accessible except by common roads, has be-
come within comparatively short time
one of almost universal interest.
In every country the question of guage
is under discussion, but in the United
States it has attained in the popular esti-
nation an importance greater than that
which attaches to any other question of
engineering interest.
In most of the States special Legisla-
tive Committees have been appointed to
consider and report upon the practicable
ty of the system, and to suggest such forms
of legislation as may best be calculated TO
encourage the construction of such roads.
A Committee appointed by the Legisla-
ture of Massachusetts,, to investigate upon
the practicability of this system have re-
ported favorably, and ask such legislation
that will encourage their construction, and
recommend their general adoption.
The great difficulty heretofore in build
ing the common gauge railroad was the
great amount of money expended before
any profits could be realized, and many
who have invested in these enterprises
have been compelled to dispose of 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 narrow gauge system,
we can secure more railway cOmmunica-
tions and receive larger dividends than the
same amount of money has done hereto
fore.
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
transportation, and securing to the stock
holder a dividend worthy of its hire.
Illinois, but few years ago territory,
now ranks as one of the most wealthy
States i'm the Union. Her chain Of rail-
roads have done all this, for every locality
has its easy access to railway communica-
tions.
The following is comparative cost of
the five foot and three foot gauges after
graded and prepared for the track. No
definite figures can be made in reference
10 llle Braulngi ils IL "ouid vary III uihei-
ent localities. Grading per mile will ave-
rage between s. 900 and $1,000, according
to the locality and the amount of bridging
and masonry to be put up.
FIvE FOOT oUAGE-RAIL PIFTY-FIyE POUNDS
TO THE YARD.
81 tons of rail at SO 90 per 5000 90
400 rail-splices at 00,"............., 400 %
$500 spikes at 5......,...,........ 80 90
264O crossties at JO.................. 1890 90
IaUtn0 | mi
lOLnl ,',.., @oooi w
THREE FOOT GUAGE-RAIL THIRTY POUNDS
PER YARD.
47a tons rails at $50 CO., ,$35G2 30
$50 rail-splices at J0.,., l65 %
S00S 500 cPossties Gro at at Is. Is, 80 co
Laying mile track,.....,.~....... 800 "
Total .....,,,.,.... ...............S S490S 20