South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-07-04
South Branch Railroad.
Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun.


RoNSEY, w VA, June 20, 1873
The South branch Ntrrow- Gauge Railroad
Work in Progress-h, Cost and Importance 10
baltimore Projected Connections TO The Kama
uhd Valley and the Gauiey Ricer- Coal, Iron
and Timber Products-A Remarkable Cluster
Of Mineral SPrings-A Variety Of Waters, sc.
The work Of building the South Branch
narrow gauge railroad is now vigorously
progressing, and the bills about the town
of Springfield, eight miles from the Balt-
moro and Ohio road, are presenting a very
changed appearance, caused by the Cutting
aud filing among them. The contractor,
G. W. Watkins, of Montgomery county,
Md, is a man of known skill and energy
in his business, aud promises to finish his
whole work between the Baltimore and O.
hio railroad and this point by the 1st of
January next. Before another Spring time
comes we expect our beautiful valley of
the South Branch TO be opened to the world
through the ife-siving energies of steam,
and the mountains to send back the echo
of its Shril voice as the engine of the mar
row gauge g!ides swiftly along, doing our
bidding. The road, as you know, is to be
of three-fcet gauge, and will cost about
sl2 600 Per mile.
This work is of much more than ordna.
~ interest to the people Of Baltimore. 1t
will not only open an avenue for the pro-
ducts of this rich valley to pass to your CT.
ty, and thus be an important feeder to the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, but will add
its share to the wealth and prosperity of
Baltimore. 1t success, being the first
road of its gauge 10 this part of the world,
it must attract attention aud cause the
building Of many more such feeders, not
only to the Baltimore aud Ohio railroad,
but to other main lines in the country -
Costing only about $4,000 per mile to
build il, and at least two-thir1s less to run
it than the ordinary roads of the country
cost, it must, if successful, prove but the
fountain head Of future progress aud de-
velopmcnt
Already is there much said about carry
Jog the work on up our beautiful and fer.
tile valley. Take your map, trace upon it
the South Branch to Petersburg, then take
its north fork to its source only few miles
from Deer Creek, on the other side Of the
AHcghaDy, which can be reached at a grade,
by actual survey, as learn, Of forty feet to
the mile; then 90 down Deer creek and the
valley Of the Gaulcy river to the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad or, il you prefer
it, from Petersburg trace lire to the head
waters Of the South Branch, within store's
throw Of Jackson's river, tributary Of The
James, and then down it to the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad, without bill or hardly
deep cut 10 your way, and what country
can be developed Take the first route in
dictated and sec how much closer you would
btiOg the valuable coal, iron and timber Of
the KaDawba valley and Of the GauIey ri.
yer to tide-watef at your city than j. is by
the Chesapeake aud Ohio TO Underwater at
Norfolk, OF even at WcstpOiot, or indeed at
Richmond Why can't this richness be
poured into the lap Of Baltimore? Why
can't your people be made 70 appreciate it
and 60 to work ere It be too tate and secure