The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-09-18
VALLEY RAILROAD.

A correspondent of the Baltimore San
under date of Harrisonburg, Sept. 4, gives
the following facts in connection with the
Valley railroad enterprise, and speculation as
to the future of Harrisonburg
In its course the Valley railroad going
| north from Stanton. crosses the middle ri
yer, and crosses the North river three times
aecessitated on account Of the tortuosity Of
the stream. Hence it was necessary to con-
struct four large bridges to span these rivers.
In the construction Of these bridges the
MASONRY
Of che Valley railroad is certainly uusurpass.
ed. In the execution of it the masous who have
been engaged in the Mount Gems Tunnel
were employed. The skill the artisan and
quality of material excite and attract admira
ton, and the labor, science, and engineering
skill displayed upon these gigantic bridges
will ever be a monument to the engineers of
the Valley railroad. The Middle river bridge
is $50 feet long, 60 feet above the water, and
has two abutments and three piers. The three
North river bridges are respectively 315, $40,
and $50 feet long. 40, so, and 81 feet in
height, and have two piers and abutments
each. The deep, lengthy cuts upon some
portions OF the road are wonderful. At Sec
ton II the road is cut through solid rock
and limestone 60 feet high, and this cut is
over 600 feet long, and the cut and road
conform with the curve in the river, which
is Immediately beneath the track At Mt
Sidney ten miles north of Staunton, is mag
ni6cent cut a halfa mile in length and TWEEN
ty-four feet deep. through the solid rock, and
penetrating a bed of limestone rich in fossil.
ferrous treasures. The oulverts are also of
the most substantial masonry, and every por.
tien of the road bed and constructions pre-
sents thoroughress and durability seldom
found. The cost alone of these bridges was
from 500 600 to $780, apiece, and the
average cost of construction Of this portion
Of the Valley railroad was about s35, 900
per mile, aud when one considers the amount
of work done and the Instructions surmount
ed, the construction cost is entirely eoonomi-
cal, and is an evidence Of the judicious ex-
pendture of the funds, and the faithful dis
charge ofthe respective duties of all concern
ed.
Here, at Harrisonbhrg, will concentrate
ono D"ieAA1o'o dau CHlO pOItiou VI the H1a-
masses road, the Shenandoah Valley railroad,
the North River railroad and the narrow
guage of Washington, Cincinnati and St.
Louis railroad, traversirg the wealthy coal.
mineral and timber regions Of Highland, Po-
cohontas, aud other counties of West Vir-
ginia, to the Ohio River, through which this
road will pass, are 81 900 square miles of the
richest mineral deposits upon the earth, coal,
iron, ore, magnetic iron ore, hematite, emery
and region lnoxhaustible in the finest tins
Der for the ship-builder, carpenter, CT cabinet
maker. The coal fields Of this region ex-
coed by double the amount of square miles
those of the State of Pennsy vania, and will
for centuries furnish home aud employment
to thousands Of GOLFERS and miners The
valleys will furnish the mining emlgrant
from every portion of Europe an abundant
and healthy home. aud the mountains of
coal and iron and timber will guarantee e work
and remuneration for untold generations yet
to come.