The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-13
COST OF A R,A1LRoADs CAR.

Some Interesting Details From the
Pennsylvan!a' Railroad Shops.
The auditing Departments of great
American railroad corporation, says the
New York Sun, rivals In respect OF It's
records and transactions n government
department. The earnings of all the
lines Of the Pennsylvania Railroad sys-
tom In n year average about 30.000. 900,
and the gross earnings of the Wander
biz system amount 10 rather more
S45,000.000 from the New York Central,
S21,00O,00O from The Lake Shore, $40 ,o00,-
600 from the West SE2re, and Nickel
Plate. S33, 900 from the Chicago aud
Northwest, $4,000, 900 from the Michi-
gan Central, and about $4,000, 600 from
collateral lines or systems. These flg-
ures are large, but they appear etill
larger when Gihey are compared with
Items of Federal revenue. The total re-
ceipts of the United States Government
| from customs during the fscal year
, ending In 1896 were $3.50, 100000 and
| frcm internal revenue taxes STAG. 600, 900.
The two together made up 1896, 600, 900
of public revenue for the government:
| or the affairs of a natIca OF "a, 000, 900 in
hhbitnnts, hut the two railroad sys-
TENS referred to represented together
receipts of s275, 000, 900, and If q third big
railroad system were added the re-
ccir;s OF the Federal government would
be exceeded
The accounts OF big railroad corpor-
atoms require care and much hard
work, and The system OF precisa book
keeping In railroad accounts CHOW a
special branch of accountIng) has been
carried close to the point of narfection
by the Pennsylvan In Rallroldk which,
for instance, gives to the fraction Of a
cent the expenses incident to the con"
struction of n car or a locomotive.
There are 10000 passenger cars and
5000 baggage, mail and express cars in
actual use on the railroads: of the
United States, and the ordinary pas
senser car costs anywhere from 1000
to $4,000. the difference representing
added improvements in furnishing. II
There has recently appeared a de-
tailed statement Of the cost OF con-
structing Mt the Altoona shops of the
Pennsylvania railroad n sample first
class. modern, up-to-date, Luxurious
passenger car and some Of the Items
are of interest. The wheels and axle,
represent cost of $332,35; the trucks
upon which the car rests cost s53S. go;
the air brake represents $131 rs; the
seat fixtures, twenty-five in number.
cost S5050; the three bronze lamps,
$l3.60; the two gas thinks $50; the chan
deliers. SCOTS, and the item of screws,
1880 ''SHs ''oL aPHSaE % ne an I'M
portant one, $51.ss. For the building
of car like the one taken in illustra-
| ton, 2,4S0 feet of poplar wood, 3,434
or ash, l1OO Of white pine. 2, $50 of yell
low pine. 400 feet Of thdckory 400, of
cherry, 700 Of Michigan pine, 500 of oal,
and 439 of maple veneer were required
In addition TO thirteen gallons of var
| nish. forty-llve pounds Of glue and
nearly 1000 pounds Of iron, exclusive
of 500 pounds of iron castings. For the
furnishing of the car there were re-
CURED sIxty-nine yards OF scarlet
plush, forty-four yards of green plush.
eiXty-one yards OF sheetlng and 24s
pounds of hair. The basket racks cost
$7I.35, the sash levers $42, the bronze
window lifts $24.40 and the gold Leaf
for the establishment OF the wood
! work fasteners s15.47 worth of material
was required. two stoves cost s7T.56 and
the tin used on the roof OF the ca
S41.ii. The labor in the constructIon
OF the car represented cost of
sl,263.9i, bringing up the expenditnre
to more than $4,000. 80