The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-01-25
REPORT OF U. s. COMMISSIONERS on TIL
NORTHERN Pa CIFIC RAILROAD
W.SuINCTnN ID

WASHINGTON, d. G., Dec. TO- 1872.
To the President of tie United States:
SIR: In accordance with Tue instructions
of the Department of the Interior, dated
October l, 1872, the undersigned, appoint
ed a commission to examine and report up
on the completed road and telegraph line
Of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company,
from it's junction with the Lake Superior
and Mississippi Railroad, near Thomson,
Minn., to the Red River of the North, have
the honor to submit the following report:
LOCATION OF THE ROAD.
The line Of the road, 50 far as examined
by the Commission, is, in its opinion, SO
located as to combine the purposes of a
central and convenient channel for the busi-
ness of the region Of country traverSed by
it, regard being had to through as well as
local traffic, and to future as well as present
need.
GRADE AND CURVES.
AS rnle the grades upon the line of the
road were found to be light and the curves
moderate; the heaviest ascent is at the rate
of 53.3 to the mile and is something less
than two thirds of mile i'll length. Three
fourths of the whole length Of the line is
below an average grade Of thirty feet to the
mile and about sixty miles of the distance
is of grade level.
The sharpest curve is 3 deg. in a radius
of about 900 feet. In the opinion of the
Commission All the grades and curves fall
within the limits prescribed by The Govern
ment, and are not greater i'll number or ex-
tent than would be sanctioned by sound en-
gineering or economy in construction.
EMBANKMENTs AND EXCAVATIONS.
The embankments and excavations come
within the requirements of the law and in
structions furnished as a guide. They were
furthermore found to be uniformly in good
condition, and subjects of proper care on
the part of the Company.
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES.
No stone suitable for the purpose having
been found on or within Il reasonable dis
tance of the line the culverts and the abut-
ments and piers for bridges on the road are
constructed of timber. The number of
bridges on the division examined is twenty
six. Eight of these are the "Howe truss"
with span varying from 40 to l43 feet In
length with pile approaches, except that
over the Mississippi River at Brainerd.
This is approached by a well constructed
trestlework The remainder are pile
bridges, varying in length. Many of these
il is intended shall be permanently filled in
with earth, and work to that end was found
20 be ia progress at several points. The
total number of culverts is 2O2, of which 81
are box and los are open. They were
found to be in good condition, generally,
and are believed to be sufficient both III size
and number to answer the purpose for
which they were constructed.
sIDINGs.
The number of sidings is %, and their
aggregate length is 42,s75 feet. They are
judiclously distributed along the line Of the
road, and are deemed ample, both in loca-
ton and capacity, for its present require
meuts.
BALLASTING.
The road was found to be well and sub
stantially balIasted with gravel The ties
are firmly embedded, aud the track is
smooth and in good condition. In illustra-
ton of this point it may be proper to say
that regular passenger and freight trains