Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-08-25
NARROW GAUGE RAILROADS.

NARROW GAUGE RAILROADS.
/ Notwithstanding the depressed con
dition Of our lumber trade and the
symptoms of general bankruptcy pre-
vailing everywhere, some Of our cap.
italists are discussing the question of
building narrow guage railroad from
Curwensyille to Cherry Tree. The
route is one of the most feasible and
cheapest in the State, and by united
effort on the part Of the land owners
between the two places named, and
the capitalists of Clearfeld and Cur
wensyille, the road can be built, and in
three years from its completion no one
will be aware that he has advanced
anything for its construction.
TIE cost Of constructing this class of
railroads is so insignificant, when com
pared with that Of other classes, that
line OF ten, or even forty, miles
through rich lumber and mineral re-
gion should not deter local capitalists
from putting their money into it, The
distance from Curwensville to Cherry
Tree would not exceed thirty-fve miles,
and it is said the average cost per mile
for building roads Of this kind will not
exceed $4,000. Look at it. A line Of
ten miles Of railroad only costing the
sdmiof 100000. By adding but one or
two dollars an acre to the value of the
land through which it passes, sufii-
cient sum will be raised to build the
road while the enhanced value of the
land will be three times the amount
named.
The Harrisburg Patriot. in alluding
to the cost of this class Of road gives
the following details:
The new narrow gauge road in
southwestern Pennsylvania, twenty
eight miles long, connecting Waynes-
burg and Washington, is making most
satisfactory progress. The grading is
being rapidly pushed forward and
contracts have been made for the ties.
The Wheeling Intelligencer, in com
menting upon its economical construc.
tion, gives some interesting informa.
ton in regard TO the estimated cost,
which it says will not exceed $4,000
per mile. To appreciate how exceed
ingly low it is, we must remember
that the average cost of the standard
tracks throughout the middle states Of
this country is about s57 900 per mile
Inclusive Of rolling stock). The esti.
mate for the Waynesburg and Wash
ington road is so low that some people
will no doubt discredit it, But we are
informed that this estimate is not
matter Of paper, but ofaccurate figures
based upon going prices for material
For instance, the grading of the road
has been let, and is now being done at
1000 per mile. The iron, which is to
weigh 32 lbs. to the yard, will run
56.32 net tons TO the mile, and will cost
$50 per ton, or s., SIG per mile; making
with the grading total of s3,Sl6 per
mile, and leaving balance Of s2,ls4
for ties, track laying &c. The route
between Wayncsburg and Washington
presents the average engineering diff
culties that would have to be contend.
ed with in other parts of the State, and
the figures here presented represent
the present cost of narrow gauge
track. Itis a splendid time for capt
alists to engage in promising enter.
prises of this kind. Cheap iron, cheap
labor and cheap money are the induce
ments extended wherever there is an
undeveloped range Of country whose
productions would insure profitable
returns.