Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-03
NORFOLK AND WESTERN
and ITS YEARS GOOD WORK
Facts and Figures That Speak for
MISUNDERSTANDING Brought
to Pass.
FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO SEA
improvements All Along Good
Line, and They Come i'm Spite OF
Wars In Europe-Fncts That Are
Worth Study.

Worth Study.
The following tells of the immense
amount of improvements made by the
Norfolk and Western Railway during
the past year involving an expendi-
turc OF an aggregate of over $1,000
600 Some of the work was in prog
ress in 1919 and completed in 1914,
plcted in 1915. The S7,o00,O0O is ex-
elusive of that expended for double
tracking.
DoubIe-Trncl< Facilities.
The main line of the Norfolk and
western Railway Company from
Ohio, is 6S7 miles long. In this terri
tory there is now in operation sac
miles of second track and ninty miles
of low-grnde branch lines operated as
second track. leaving siXty-ivc miles
of single track main line between the
terminals mentioned
The approximate cost of the second
track work is s39.0lo,0O0; to complete
second track will require an additional
expenditure of S7.30O00O
In connection with the preparation
or plans for second track, the follow
ing points were given consideration in
the study: reducing the curvature, re-
ducing the rates OF grades and maxi
ing them more uniform, raising the
roadbed above high-wa marks, In
creasinS the capacity OF bridges on
account OF the use OF heavier equip
mcnt, the use OF heavier rails and
stone ballast to support increased
wheel loads and building more sub
stantial masonry structures
To accomplish these results REQUIRED
the construction of many additional
bridges and tunnels in the mountain
districts. rs we'll as very heavy cut
ting and filling at all points. For ex-
ample, there have been constructed in
connection with the second-track work
through portions of Virginia and West
Virginia. twenty-one double-track tun-
nels; total length, 1871 feet; three
single-track tunnels alongside OF ex-
listing tunnels, having a total length
of 2.021 feet, and eight single-track
tunnels on low grade branches used az
second track. having total length of
1859 feet. All these tunnels are lined
with high-class masonry. On tho sec
ton OF road yet to be double-tracked
there are seven tunnels to construct
Additional bridges were required In
about the same proportion as tunnels
Notable among the expensive bridges
recently double-tracked may be men
toned the Farmville High Bridge, g
400 feet long. costing s3T3.000; Kenova
Bridge and approaches over the Ohio
River. 1000 feet long, costing $1,000
600: two bridges over the Scioto River
in Ohio. aggregating 5000 feet long
costing s6S6o00.
The railway company has installed
for the safety and facility OF opera
ton. automatic electric signals. one
mile apart, and has provided modern
water and coaling stations to supply
its motive power In all districts
Modern passenger stations OF brick
and stone have been been built at tho
larger towns and cities
Nl.<t rfn
The use of electricity having been
successfully introduced for motive
power In connection with the opera
ton OF steam railroads In many parts
Of the United States. caused special
studies to be made by the manage
ment for Its application to handling
the eastbound coal traffic between
Vivian. w. Va, and Biueheld, w. Va,
distance OF about thirty miles, on
which territory is located the heavy
Elkhorn grade.
To furnish the current to operate
his system modern steam turbine
electric generating plant has been.
erected at blucstone Junction. w. Va:
also n building for inspection and re-
pairing electric locomotives.
This clectrittcation district will b.
placed in orcration III the early part
OF 1915. ,hc entire Installation costin;;
S:,300.000.
Shop improvements.
While the double tracking opera
tons have heen progressing. terminal
facilities have not been neglected. Dur
ing the past ten years there have been
~ cctcd at Roanoke Fl passenger sla-
ton. annex TO general office building.
motive power office. three roundhouses.
engine erecting shop. car erecting
shop. foundry, power house. wheel and
axle shop bolts" house. and many other
smaller buildings. tho aggregate cost
being more than si,060.oGo.
Extensive terminal buildings have
been erected nj other division points;
At Portsmouth and Columbus, O.. an
'tiH"c Of more than 100000 hav-
ing been made for that purpose within
The last few years.
The improved terminal ficilitles at
division points permit extensive re-
pairs to be made to motive power. and
other equipment operating on that d.
vision without delay: mt Roanoke these
advantages arc not only obtained. but
the railway company is especially
equipped for manufacturing it's own To-
comotives and freight cars
At Lamberts Point, Va, there has
recently been completed and placed In
operation by the Norfolk and Western
Railway the largest coal pier in the
world. This pier will handle 600 cars
OF coal per day Of ten hours. and Ia
equipped with electrically operated
coal bumpers, elevators for hosting
gravity feed track. The expenditure
for this plant was s15000O0
New terminal buildings were also
constructed At Lamberts Point. at
cost Of s150.000.
Large extensions have been made In
classification and storage yards at
Lambert's Point. South Norfolk. Roa-
nokc, Blueheld, Williamson. East
Portsmouth and Columbus at an ex-
pense amounting to 100000.
Cotton Factory for Bristol.
BRISTOL, VA, January 1.-THE
Roard of Trade OF this CITY has fine