The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-31
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3e4.20s 60
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a94ssss o.
Masfng 4 nef decrease as above
atated SSfRt0 Sd
THE PASSENGER BUSINESS

y TIE PASSENGER BCsIS ESS
has increased by the sum OF S4,S10.88.
With the uncertain water connection at our
western terminus at Huntington we cam
mot expect any isfge increase IN passenger.
business, except by the gradual Increase OF
population brought about by the develop
ment Of the mineral interests, until onr
western raft connections are completed.
Our relations with other passenger lines
west OF Cincinnati and south OF Lexington.
are of the most satisfactory character. and.
I have no doubt that so soon as the line from
Huntington to Lexington is completed We
will receivea full share OF travel. and I
trust then TO show much more favorable re-
suits 10 our passenger business.
THE FREIGHT BUSINESS ,sr
has decreased by the sum OF s53,393.0s.
Tbis decrease Is due, Grst, to- the very low.
rates which prevailed during the entire sea-
son alike on general produce and on the
|~recfal coal aud iron products OF our line.
In addition to this, tie shipment OF our
best.paying freight-cannel coal-fell short
number OF tons-more than sufficient to
have made up the decrease; and our reye-
nues were also seriously affected by the Sc
verify OF the past winter and the distressing
droughts which prevailed during the sum-
mer and fall OF the present year.
! am happy, however, to be able to state
that the condition Of rates is now becoming
much better, and is, 1 hope, on a stable
foundation.
THE TONNAGE
of the road amounted to 6S6,526 tons, being
an increase over the previous year OF 9S, ,46O !;
Of which we hauled eastwardly 470, 143, and
westwardly 2I6,3S3.
The average haul was 244 miles, being 16
miles less than in the previous year. This
diminutIon in the length OF haul is due to
the fact that we have largely increased our
| western business in coal and coke.
THE ROADWAY.
We have laid during the year Al miles Of
steel rails.
There is now 27O miles OF the main line
| laid with steel rails and 15l miles laid with
iron rails. This iron rail we wish to replace
with steel as rapidly as, with due regard
to economy. it can be done, hoping to cover
the whole line with steel within the next
three or four years. Upon the impor-
tance Of this it is unnecessary to
diIatc, as it has most important bearing
upon the economy OF maintaining the road
and the machinery, and upon the regularity
and dispatch with which we can handle our
passengers and freight.
With the exception Of some Inferior rails
the roadway and track are greatly improved
and in excellent condition.
Great attention has been paid to the ma
sopry and bridges, and both are in good
and substantial condition.
Considerable headway has been made In
ballasting the road with gravel and broken
stone, and this work will be continued
This expense is charged to operating eX'
penses.
We have 81 locomotives, q passenger
cars, sleeping-cars, l parlor-car, ofhcers
cars, l pay-car, 16 baggage, mail, and eX
press.cars, 80 fast freight-cars, T15 boz
Ifreight-cars, 60 eight-wbeel coal hopper
oars, 40 eightwheol coke-ears, 1f4 four
wheel coal hopper-cars, 251 four-whee
coke and coal.cars, 200 gondolas, 124 plat
form-cars, 81 stock-cars; total freight-cars
2,22T; 81 conductors cars, % shanty.car
for laborers, 3 derrick cars, 1877 gravel fiat
cars. We have bought five engines durin!
the year.
We have built in our shops during tn
year 106 four-whee! eight-toa coal-cars,
gondolaS, platiorm-cars, 1 stcck-cars.
This work of building was commenced
) late in the summer, and it is my purpose t
continue hereafter steadily increasing OH
rolling stock by building in our Richmond
and Huntington shops.
The rolling stock and machinery are il
excellent condition, and we car considcra
bly, increase our present tonnage wlthou
material addition to our motivC-powcr, AM
unless the increase OF business is mucl
greater than anticipate think we can b.
gradual expenditure and equipment NEE
the increase Of business without any larg
outlay at any one time.
: We have met with scarcely any dctcEt.ol
TO OUT trains from slides during the year
and they are no longer an apprehendet
source OF trouble TO us.
No passenger on our trains has received
any injury during the year.
regret to announce the death OF Assist
ant-Superintenden George ;. Netherland
He had been connected ~,ih the road, il
various positions, from the earlier days o
the Louisa railroad until his death, and bat
ALWAYS been most useful and devoted em
ploye.
The officers and men OF the road have
with rare exceptions, performed their du
ties faithfully.
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAMS {. WICKHAM,
Second Vice-President.