The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-08-10
STANTON. VIRGINIA.
Thursday, 80 August 10. 1871
WHICH ROUTE {?

1t is not settled question as to which
route will be adopted for the location Of the
Valley Railroad, the Mt. Sidney. or eastern );
or the Glade and Bridgwater, or western line
The Engineers are now running the lines
with view to a final location. It is believ-
ed, from former estimates, that there will not
be great difference in the cost of the two
locations. IF this shall be reported as a
fact, by the Engineers now engaged in max
ing the surveys, the permanent route will be
determined by the inducements offered in
private subscriptions and the right Of way.
It certainly will be very important consum-
nation, for the landholders, generally, along
the route which the road will take, in facil-
tating access to market when it is completed,
and also, in converting into active live capt.
tai, much that is dead and improbable, while
in the process of construction. The items Of
ties and strngers, will be source of large
trade, and enable the surplus timber of our
farmers to yield them more nett profit per
acre than the land will bring while there can
be retained ample wood for house purposes
and fencing. In fact, the laps from the tie
timber, will be sufficient fire wood for many
years to come, if the owner does not chose to
cut them into cord wood for the use of the
Railroad. Then the cash market that will
be created right at the doors of our farmers
for everything that is raised on the farm,
and in gardens, to supply the wants Of the
large number of hands that will necessarily
be employed on the work, will be a prolific
source Of revenue.
We direct attention to the controlling fact
that the largest private subscription, and the
most liberal awardment of damages, will &C
far to the determination Of the route, and il
will therefore, be left, mainly, with thes peo
pie along the respective lines, to fix the loca
ion
Gen. Rosecrans, one Of the most expert
enced Engineers in America, says that a care
1ul Calculation, borne out by the results O
experience, will show that the effect of run
ming line Of railway through any good az
,lcultural region will increase the value G
the land within strip Of ten miles wide OF
each side of the road on an average Of a
loast so per acre.
Assuming this to be so, and the distance
che Valley Road would necessarily have t
gun through Augusta and Rockingham t,
fstaUnton, to be 80 miles, the increase Of tn.
alue Of lands, would be So ,744,OOO. Plac,
fhe cost of putting mile Of railroad in run
ping order at $4,000 per mile, and the az
gfeeate Of constructing the road 80 miles
would be $1,000, o00-leaving an excess il
tho increased value Of the lands oyer th
cost Of cqastraetion; Of $2,544 o09, and til
soad thrown in
It is very easy to make the calculation 70
any distance, and each locality can approx
mate the advantage it would be to it, by es
timating the distance, and adding up the fig
nres, placing the increase Of land at wha
shey think it would be.
very lew 81 our cltiZens nave prope
idea Of the difficulties which have had to b
encountered in getting the Valley Railroad
in as favorable condition as it is. Tt ha
been no child's play, and on several occasion
it has been at the very threshold of failure
at least for the present They should re
member that the advantages are mutual, a
much if not more to themselves, than to tn
city of Baltimore and the Baltimore & Chi
Railroad. There should be a generous co
operation, in this important matter, whicl
must prove an ever growing ana contiuuou
source Of profit to them.