The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-11

felIed. As soon as the right-of-way is pre-
nared the engineer makes final location
Of the line in order to correct any
slight errors that may have been made on
account of the obstruction offered by trees
or brush. At this time close line OF
levels is taken in order to make correct
protiles and definitely establish the line OF
the grade. These grades, when approved
by the chief engineer, are accepted as the
planes to which the roadbed must be
brought. The work has then to be stakeo
out to define for the contractors where ma
terial is to be removed and where embank-
ments are to be made. To do this the
center stakes are marked with the amount
of cut or fill required, and SWEEPSTAKES
are set on each side at the point where the
slopes of the excavation or embankment
are to intersect at the surface OF the
ground. As is required, the resident engi-
neers stake out upon the ground
the position of trestles, bridges, culverts
and such other structures as are
required by the nature of the ground.
Where tunneling is necessary, the ap-
proaches are staked out in the same man
ner as ordinary cuts and the portals fixed
By economic rules. In long tunnels very
close work is required SO as to have the
center line as located on the surface, ex-
actly over the center line of the tunnel, and
to establish correct levels, so that the
grades as constructed from each portal
shall coincide when they meet under
ground. Where shafts are used the
amount of care required is even greater,
so that the various headings shall meet
correctly. Besides the labor required in
laying out the work, there is an endless
amount of detail to be kept up in order
that the contractors shall complete the
work on the exact lines of grade and align
ment.
Payments for the work are usully made
monthly, based upon approximate esti-
mates which are made out each month by
the resident engineers and, after passing
through the hands of the division en-
gineer, are delivered to the chief engineert
To ensure the company against loss by
any contractor taking the work and, after
completing the most desirable portions
and having been paid for the amount
done, leaving the company to complete
his section of work at increased cost, and
also in some measure to equate the pay
ments so as to overcome the extra expense
which is always incurred in finishing up
the work, u certain percentage of each es-
innate is withheld from each monthly
payment. When the work is completed
and accepted by the chief engineer final
correct estimate is made and the con-
tractor is paid in full.
As soon as sufficient grading has been
done to warrant the organization of a
tracklaying force the material is ordered
and arrangement made for laying the
track. This work can be done either by
forces working directly under the COM
pany or by contract, which is assigned to
the lowest bidder. The cross ties are
usually furnished by the company, con-
tracts for furnishing them being some
times let by competitive bids, but more
generally at fixed sum per tie to parties
along the line who are able to furnish a
few thousand ties apiece. The inspection
OF the ties is sometimes a part of the duty
of the resident engineer, but more gen.
orally a regular cross tie and timber in
spector is appointed. In most cases track
engineer force is organized, consisting of
an engineer in charge, two assistants and
an axman. The duties of this party are to
run in center stakes by which the track is
thrown down on the grade. As fast as the
rails are laid ballasting trains are put on
and the ballast delivered along the line
ready to be put under the ties according to
the direction of the engineer in charge of
track. As soon as the track has been put
upon the first layer of ballast, it is the
duty of the track engineer to set exact
center and grade stakes so that the track
can be brought to perfect line and sur
face, ready for the passage of trains.
In order to locate the stations along the
line during construction the resident
engineers are required to make maps of
the country mile wide on either side of
the line. From this map the chief engi-
neer is able to fix the positions of the
stations definitely and it is usually the
duty of the track engineer to stake out the
location of the depots and inspect the con-
struction of the buildings.
An operating force is organized as soon
as there is sufficient length of completed
line to authorize the opening of traffic
As each section of the road is completed
the line Is accepted by the railroad COM
pany and turned over to this department
When the last section has been so turned
over, the chief has but to arrange for the
paymnt of the final estimate and to resign
his charge into the hands of the officers of