The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-30

AS to the utility of the narrow.gauge, it
is settled fact that roads built upon that
gauge pay dividends upon their cost, as far
as We are Informed, invariably, ana the num-
Der of those roads is increasing. They have
been tried with good results in England.
That country which stands at the head O!
commercial States can best test the value Of
any new agent of transportation.
1t appears from the statements of engi-
neers, after accurate experimental tests, that
the comparison of cost of construction
between the narrow and the broad-gauge
stands thus: The cost of the narrow-gauge
bed 40 per cent. less than the broad; and
the cost of ties and rails for the narrow bed
is 90 per cent. less than that for the same
material for the broad-gauge. The cost of
rolling stock for the narrow is also 90 per
cert. less than for the broad-Sauge. The
engines "a part of the rolling stock cost one
third less on the narrow-gauge than they do
on the broad.
According to experimental tests, We have
very reliable authority for the statement that
IN the cost of working the narrow-gauge
there is saving of forty five per cent. in
comparison with the broad-gauge.
COMPARATIVE CAPACITY OF THE ROADS.
With regard to the comparative capacity
of the roads, it is alleged upon positive bases
that there is so great difference between
the ponderosity of rolling. stock on the one
and the other of the two roads that while
the relation of dead weight to paying freight
On the standard gauge is tteo Of dead weight
to one Of paying freight, on the narrow
gauge the figures are reversed-viz one OF
dead weight to t,co of paying freight!
According to Mr.. Fairlie, distinguished
engineer of England, there was moved upon
the London and Northwestern railroad for
the year 1872, 900 900 Of tons of freight with
81, 100000 OF tons of dead weight. On the
three-foot road, with its standard equipment,
the same tonnage would have been moved
with only 100000 of dead weight.
The power of locomotive is increased by
having its wheels nearer together than with
those Of the wider gauge, and it is claimed
that the light engine can with the same
amount of steam draw more freight than the
heavy one of the broad gauge.
These are very striking facts. They may
not settle the question in an issue between
the gauges with the general public, but
they should certainly remove all objections
to the construction Of narrow-gauge road
where the money cannot be raised to build
one on the standard gauge. L.
DURABILITY OF SARRow-GAUGE ROADS.
We should not omit to state that there is
an alleged great gain in favor of the narrow
gauge in the matter of wear and tear. For
instance, with regard to rails: the heavy roll.
ing stock of the Standard gauge road so bat.
tiers or laminates the rail that it must be (lf
of iron-steel lasts longer) renewed once in
seven years, while light rolling.stock of the
narrow gauge causes very little ANIMATION,
and its rails will last four times ms long as
those of the broad gauge.
These facts are interesting in considering
the subject, as it is proposed that. the Trans
Allegheny road shall be built on the narrow.
gauge. The question is not an alternative
one-the narrow-gauge is chosen but It is,
nevertheless, important that we should have
the facts concerning it as full as We can get
them.
THE ROUTE.
The route selected for the Trans.Alleghan
road is interesting to Richmond. since it
traverses country whose trade we former
" had, and which by reason OF sympathy
with its population and our geographical re-
latious to it we should still have.
The geological survey Of the State shows
that along the selected line in SouthSide
Virginia, east of the Blue Ridge, there is
much mineral wealth, while west OF that
ridge there is degree of such wealth
whose extent is known to be very great;
but to which science can now conjecture no
limit approximating correctness. The quail
ity of the iron and lead ores, as of the coal,
there found, is uneXcelled. Unquestionably
the placing of Richmond in connection with
these unsurpassed mines. as also The reco-
very to large extent Of the trade she has
in great degree lost, would be achieve
ments greatly to be desired.
CONNECTIONS.
The correspondence between the officers
of several narrow-gauge roads of the West
and General Imboden, make it more than
probable that the proposed road to Pound
laD would connect us with some OF the most
famous and prosperous cities OF the North
west by narrow.gauge railway. Very prom
inent amongst these are the Portsmouth and
cleveland, Ohio, road, which is to be extend
pd south eastward 10 Jeffersonville, in TaZe.
well county, in this State, where 1t would
ioin the Allegheny road, and the Gin
cinnatf and Pound Gap road, which, accord
inc to letter from its president, Dir. Sulli'
van, will be put under contract next Janu-
ary. We need not say word about these
connections. Every one can appreciate their
importance to Richmond.
MEANS FOR BUILDING THE ROAD.
About the means for building this road,
we are informed that English capitalists will
promptly take the contract and build it upon
the faith of the county and city subscriptions
asked for by the charter. The charter re-
uuires the bonds to be held and not sold un-
ri the road is built, SO that subscriptions
made are withheld from market until the road
il buiIt--a sort of security for its construc-
ton.
General Imboden has letters from we'll
known moneyed and business men OF europe
which strongly strengthens his own stale
ment: but the chief efassuraDce we have OF Inc
earnest intention Of English capitalists 10
this matter is the fact tnat they own large
,racts of mineral lands in the southwest
whose value must be immensely enhanced
nv this road as the means OF their Delng
worked and being made convenient to mar
ket.
with these facts and circumstances before
them your committee do think that this pro
iect is worthy of the serious consideration
of the people of Richmond and their repre-
sentatiyes. And We suggest the propfEt,
of adopting the following resolutions
THE RESOLUTIONS.
uResolred, 1st. That the proposed Trans
Allegheny narrow-guage railroad from kich
mond to Pound Gap deserves the. serious con
sideration of the city of Richmond as oesl
ing directly upon her most cherished inter
esIs and calculated if constructed to promot
the peculiar enterprises of her people III
very solid and efficient manner. -,
.ResoIped. Cd. That the Council OIL ID