Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-12-19

You Will notice by the above that
more than one.fourth of the whole dis
tance is level, and that one half the
length is either level or less than five
feet per mile, and that a coal train pass
ing northward would encounter in all
but twelve and 50 hundreths miles of
grades, ranging from ten to fifteen feet
per mile. OF the latter grades (l5ft.)
in-this direction, the longest stretch is
one and twenty-seven hundredths miles,
and the average length fifty-one hum
dredths. ~ .I9--a ,ti'.', t5'.'. i.A %
These facts are certainly most re-
markable under any circumstances, and
the more so when we take into consid-
Grafton the rugged nature of the coun-
try for over half the distance trayersed.
The relative value to the future ofthe
enterprise resulting from these extreme
ly light grades, will be readily appreci-
ated when we remember that other
western roads, and in fact railroads,
commonly, in the United States, work
long gradients of from forty to fifty
two feet per mile, with excellent profit
to the roads. t
The pecuniary value of gradients of
such light rate upon freight road will
probably be better appreciated by no.
ticing the. maximum capacity of the
same engine on different grades.
Thus: a forty-ton engine with six
drivers will draw, ON slope of Is feet
per mile, twevle hundred and forty-sev-
ell tons, equal to sixty-two loaded cars;
but OH a slope Of fifty-two feet per
mile, the, same engine can only draw
five hundred and ninety-six tons, equal
to (nearly) thirtysscars. Now, if the
engines be loaded to their full capacity
on each grade, the cost in given dis
tanee will necessarily be the same, and
if the result be reduced to dollars and
cents, yot, will perceive how profit di-
minishesaas grades increase. For in
stance, it $40 per car be the through
rate upon competing roads between two
points, the road having, fifty-two (52)
feet per mile will receive for drawing
her maximum train but$30O. while that
having but fifteen feet per mile, for ex-
pending the same force, receives $500.
You will notice from the statistics of
completed roads which is given below,
that only one third. the gross receipts
are net profit. Now, if we suppose the
former to be fair average road, and to
be performing her work with the aver
age result, the proceeds would divide
5000 for cost of operating, and 500 net
profit. Now, in the two cases in ques-
ton, rs both engines are cXerting the
same power over the same distance, the
cost for the trip is necessarily the same
the latter road would therefore show
5000 as the cost and S420 the net profit.
And if the tonnage in the latter case be
reduced to. the same as the former, the
rate per ear and number of trips being
the same, the reduction of power ncces-
sary, owing to your reduced grades be-
ing a reduction in cost, would still Keep
tile proportion reversed in your favor,
and on the same gross receipts would
show 500 as the operating expenses,
and 5000 as the net profit.
In the handling, &c, of promiscuous
freights, there would be an element of
cost not taken into account In the form
or calculation, where the number of
tons is increased to the capacity of the
engine; but it would be small per-
centage in any case, and in yours,
where the great bulk of business will
consist of coal, lumber, and iron ore,