The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-12-28
sl10MssVaG \ SULLIVAN R. R.
REPORT OF
JOHN A. WILSON,
CIVIL ENGINEER.
DATED PHILADELPHIA NOV. 26, 1888,
AND ADDRESSED TO COL JAMIsoN,
BLooMsBuRG, PA.

BLooMsBuRG, PA.
DEAR Sin During the past season a |
survey has been made by Mr.. James Brown |
of Bloomsbury, for line of Railway from |
Rupert, Columbia Co., to Bernicc in Sui
livan County. BY your direction, Mr., |
Brown brought the notes of his survey to
my office, aud have furnished him with
assistance to work them out, and to pre-
pare map, profile and estimate of quanti-
ties. / have consulted with Mr.. Brown
and advised him as to the details of Loca-
ton and mode of Construction. During
the present month have made personal
examination of the country through which
the proposed Railroad is located, having
passed along the Valley of Fishing Creek
from Rupert to the foot of the noun
tain and having spent several days on the
mountain between Ganoga Lake and Ber-
nice.
I herewith present the results of my ex-
aminations, together with those Of Mr..
Browns survey.
The line selected commences on the Cat
tawissa r. II. near Rupert Station and fol-
lows up the Valley Of Fishing Creek to the
| foot of the mountain, distance o ( about
81 miles This portion of the route is
along an open alluvial valley, and the Sc
lected location is for the most part at or
near the foot of the hill on one side or the
other of the valley, though sometimes ex-
/ ctr oh oE hAttn Ian
| On reaching the foot of the mountain the
| line defects to the westward, and follows
the west branch of Fishing Creek for some
distance. The North mountain, which is
Spur from the Great Allegheny plateau,
faces boldly to the South with precipitous
front, rising about 1900 feet in little over
half mile. 1t is cut by numerous gorges
which have steep fall, rugged slopes and
sharp jutting points. In order to make
the ascent with reasonable grades, dis
tance must be had, which necessarily
lengthens the line. The location follows
along the South side of the West fork of
Fishing Creek for some distance, curves
round, crosses the stream and follows
along the North side of the Ravine,
doubles up and back along branch COM
ing in from the North, known as Painter
Run, and reaching the West side of Elk
Run follows that stream to its head reach
ing the summit 45l miles from Rupert,
at an elevation of about 2300 feet above the
tide level.
North of the Summit the Plateau
stretches out in rolls and undulations,
broken by numerous streams. Taking ad-
vantage of these, the located line takes
Northerly direction to the head waters of
Painter Den Run, one of the branches OF
Lopez Creek, follows that stream to its in
tersection with the Loyalsock Creek, thence
up Pidgeon Creek (Which comes in from
the North) then defects to the Westward,
follows the contour of the hills North o1
the Loyasock Creek, and connects at Ber-
nice with the Sullivan and State line Rail
road. The total length of the line is 60!
miles.
From Rupert to the foot of the mountain,
81 miles, the ruling grades are ascend.
ing Northward SO $40 feet per mile, de-
cending Northward AZ feet per mile. A
line could be located with continuous as
cending grades Northward, but few ad
verse grades have been introduced to light
en- the graduate on.
From the foot of Of the mountain to the
summit, 1S. 1-2 miles, the maximum as
cending grade Northward is 80 feet per
mile and the average rise 72 $40 pei
mile, descending grades Northward none
From the summit to Bernice 10 miles, Tho
ruling grades are 30 feet per mile, in both
directions Along the valley of Fishing
Creek the alignment is generally good. Or
the mountain portion of the road the ma
ture of the ground requires sharp curva
/ ture, and in doubling the ravines anC
/ sharp points curves of $50 feet radius have
been used.
The Allegheny mountain passes through
, Central Penna,, on the West side of Bali
Eagle and Susquehanna Valleys, its es
carpment following line almost du,
North East until it reaches point about
North of Williamsport when it bears
almost due East to the junction of Lycom
ing, Columbia and Sullivan Counties q
which place it throws out to the Southwar
the North mountains as bold spur, the
bears again to the North East and crosse
the North Branch of the Susquehann
River to Tunkhannock. The Eastern an
- Southern face of the mountain is general
abrupt, while West of the summit it spread
out into rolling plateau of great exten
6 Many streaf"s head In the plateau. Som
of them traverse considerable distances il
the plateau, few cut through the escarr
ment of the mountain, but all find the
vent in either the North or West Branch
the Susquehanna, both of which strean
cut the mountain to its base. In the r
gion near the line of your proposed Ra
road we find the waters of Fishing Gre,
in flowing to the South and emptying into Il
Susquehanna near Bloomsburg. At Il
'9a head of Fishing Creek proper we find t
So 'Oo East and West branches, Coles Greek n
~ Raven Run, while further Eastward a
',ss the various branches of Huntingdon Cree
,,ssoo which unites with Fishing Creek South
the village of saltwater, These vario
he streams drain the South face of the MOI
u. mountain.
Passing North of the escarpment of
mountain we find Bowman's Creek and
Mahoopany flowing Eastwardly and Nor
eastwardly to functions with the MOI
branch of the Susquehanna at points No
of where itcuts through the main mounta
At the head waters of these two strear
and interlocking with them we find
waters of the Loyalsock which sire
flows Westward, cuts the mountain to
base, and unites with the West branch
the Susquehanna few miles East of '
Transport. Bernice is on the LoyalsC
on what is known as Birch Creek, Mu'
creek waters are to the West of your ii
An examination of the State map will 81
the relative positions of these sew
streams, and will indicate the positions
the hills, rolls and divides which cnt
the plateau of the Allegheny mo
tain.
1t might appear at first glance that