The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-02-28
Sss,asO

In TINS estimate L nave depaT ell
from the material employed in the con
struction. We have used only twelve
pound 7 iron laid on stripgers 3x5 let
in the cross-ties; these cross-lies are
three feet apart. This plan of road, al
though strong, would ot recomms nd
nor so light iron. Steel is twice as
stiff and will. last five times as long as
iron of the same weight, and the price
is but little more at the time. 1t may
be difficult to get steel weighing 1G
pounds per yard just at preaent, bat it
is wanted, ami his want will soon be
supplied. | did not employ civil
engin, er, but b1ilt the p. & II. Rail-
road myself. The obj ct in buliing
1t was TO open a new region to get
split white oak slaves principally, but
in October last we hauled four hundred
and fifty passengers and great many
goods. The gross receipts that month
were $40; expenses $500.
do not believe the grading would
cost $500 per mile il it was done by
person who understood what he
wanted and used the economies that
he would if it was a private enterprise.
Your ties are much higher than they
are worth here, for three-foot gauge !;
ties SIX and half feet long, SIX inches
thick and six inch face sre about right,
and placed two feet apart from center
to center light locomotive weighing
eight tons would haul on your road
240 tons on level, and you could
make, if necessary, four round trips
per dIy.
Cheap railroads are the only railroads
that will pay or warrant building at
present, aud it is the great trunk lines
only that can find business euou gh to
keep them fully employed; and why
build road capable of dong ten times
the business you really have? This
was the reason we built so light road
here; and if we had all we could do
we could earn twenty per cent. clear
Of all expenses. The capacity OF even
such road as | have pointed out is
very great. AS to the cost of keeping
! up such a read as ours, | will give you
the items 50 that you can Judge wheth-
er you can Iun road as cheap in Tex
as as we can here: One engineer SO,
fireman 81 Is, conductor ST so, fuel
coal 75c, oil, ETC., 25c; SOtal for ore
| day So. .65; road repaifs-fnremau : |. 80,
three laborcrs at 81 05, So 10; sum tc :
tai $1l.10. This is all the ordinary
daily expense, but does not include
hreskages, etc., that sometimes occur.
| You will thus perceive that such rail-
road can be run very cheap if the own
ers see tit to do it. For rolling stock
| will refer you to Porter, Bell & Co.,
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for locomo-
tiVes, and for cars to Barney & Smith,
Dayton, Ohio. These parties make
narrow gauge rolling stock, and can
give you valuable information on this
subject.
In givIng,the price of iron, or rather
steel, l have made price at starting
point, also cost of cars and locomotive.
Narrow gauge roads are something
new, not many baving been built yet,
and it would be rather difficult to
point out to you firm or individual
who would be authority on this sub
ject We built the p. & ii. road with
out seeing such a road or employing
an experienced maH, and done the
bes: we could. You can make the
road cost as much as you please; it all
depends on what will satisfy your peo-
pie. TIE same lie true of rolling stock.
You may want passenger car that
would cost $4,000. l am on the whole,
of the opinion that Porter, Bell &
Co. could give better information on
this subject than any other party, as
they arc the pioneers IN narrow
gauge matters. They are better STU
ated than l am, TO know the cost Of
freights, etc. II l can give you any
further information that has been
omitted, will he pleased to hear from
you further.
Very respectfully,
NJ p. KIMBALL,
Preaident L & Il II II "a