Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-05
,yuAr rHn caANGE Co.T.
The Central Railroads Outlay in
Shifting the Gauge.


Shifting the Gauge.
It mas for long time been a matter OF
public i'm formation that the railroads OF
the South were to change their gauge ana
so long as the preparations for the work
were confined 20 the workshops In pre-
pairing for and making the change OF
rolling stock, It attracted no special at
tention. The change OF the track, how
ever, was very different matter. lt re-
CURED large and reliable organizations to
effect it with promptness and certainty,
and under the best circumstances it caused
sufficient interruption in traffic to arrest
\ public attention.
Those interested in the railroads have
been much concerned in regard 20 the cost
OF the work, and the probable cost 10 the
Central railroad has been variously esu-
mated at from S400, 900 to 500. COO. For
the purpose Of securing some specific in
formation on the subject NEWS repor-
ter called upon the President OF the COM
pany yesterday, who, in answer 10 ques-
tions, stated substantially as follows:
"ine actual work OF moving the rail OF
the track in to the standard gauge
brings with it more interest and anxiety
10 the railroad managers, because of the
work, the necessity for perfect and re-
liable organization for completing it
within that time, the difficulty of securing
sale and reliable work when carried on
50 hastily, and the danger involved by
any failure to nave it done in perfectly
secure manner. But the actual cost Of
moving tue rail is very much less than is
generally supposed, and is but a small
portion Of the general expense OF the
work Of change.
"Tbe chietexpense is in the preparation
for, and the change OF the wheels OF all
The cars and engines. This work has only
been completed in part, and the total cost
that will DO involved is yet matter of es-
innate, and the absolute figures will not
be arrived at until the whole work is
completed. The Mobile and Ohio changed
gauge in July last, and see it stated in the
Financial Chronicle that the President re-
ports the cost at about $3.50 per mile. l
regard this as very close apprOxima-
ton to the average cost Of Southern roads.
1t will cost those doing heavy traffic,
and consequently having a large amount
OF rolling stock, more. 1t will cost the
lighter traffic roads with fewer cars and
engines less. The newer roads with all
their equipment Of modern construction
usually have 1t prepared 50 that the
change can be perfected with much less
cost. but to the old roads perpetuating
much of the old rolling stock, the cost
will be greater, yet $3.50 per mile will not
be far from the average cost.
The mileage of the Central, together
with the mileage Of all the roads IN which
the Central is interested, sum uD about
1900 miles. l see nothing thus far to
cause me TO believe that the average cost
TO the Central and the roads in which IL
is interested will vary materially from
$3.50 per mile, or say 5000, 900 TO $3.50. 600.
The expenses incurred in changing gauge
Will DO divided over several years, so as
not to overburden any one year with ex-
traordinary charges. Such policy was
stated In the last annual report of the
COmpanV.V