ENGINEER'S REPORT.
To the
President and Directors of the Beaver Meadow Railroad and Coal Company.
GENTLEMEN, -- Having made a reconnaissance of the Beaver Meadow
Rail‑road, with a view to its being relaid with an iron track, as well as
otherwise improved, I beg leave to present you with the following report.
The general character and working arrangements of the road are
such, that for convenience sake, I will allude to it in this report, in three
principal divisions, viz.: The "Upper Division," extending from the mines to Weatherly, at the foot of
the inclined planes, a distance of about six miles.
The "Middle Division," extending from Weatherly to the Lehigh, at Penn Haven, about five
miles; and the "Lower Division," extending from Penn Haven to Mauch Chunk, about nine miles ‑- in
all twenty miles.
Upon the Upper Division it has been suggested by those
acquainted with the business of the road (and the suggestion is an important
one), that the demands of the trade require a double track from the mines to
the Beaver Meadow, a distance of about one and a half miles.
To accomplish this the width of the roadway must be increased, and as the most of it is raised above the natural surface of the grounds the necessary additional width must be obtained by embanking -- this however, can be very readily and cheaply done, during the winter months, with the aid of cars to haul from the extensive mounds of refuse materials adjacent to the mines, of which there is a sufficient supply to form all the embankment required.
An instrumental examination will be necessary to determine the
cost of' this portion of the work. With the use of double track here suggested,
and an additional turnout, or siding, located about midway between Beaver
Meadow and the first inclined plane, the business operations on this division,
will be greatly facilitated, and the interest of the Company thereby
essentially promoted.
The roadbed throughout this division is substantially made, and
is in excellent order for the reception of the new iron track. No extra expense
consequent upon any alteration of grades or curvature will be necessary. The
iron H rails upon the inclined planes, may be dispensed with for the present by
the substitution of heavier plate rail and cross ties, in lieu of' the present
light ones. The avoidance of the planes altogether, would form a decided
improvement in the road, and greatly' simplify the operations of the Company,
and on a future occasion, I shall, if desired, take pleasure in suggesting a
mode of accomplishing this desirable result. At present, however, I am of
opinion that the expense would hardly be justified, and as the operations of
the planes are simple and effective, their avoidance can be accomplished at a
period when it may better suit the convenience of the Company.
Upon the "Middle Division" two tracks appear to be indispensably necessary to
accommodate the trade belonging to the road, in conjunction with that from the
Hazelton Railroad. Three, out of the five miles, are already laid with the iron
H rail, and on the remaining two, some grading will be required, as well as the
alteration of two bridges to adapt them for a double track. This work should be
commenced as soon as possible and urged forward, so as to be in readiness for
the superstructure as soon as the materials for it arrive.
With some trifling repairs, the present wooden track may be
made to answer for a few years, for the use of the ascending trains.
Along this division the line will require no alteration in
grade or curvature. The materials for ballast are abundant, and well adapted
for the construction of a good road.
Upon the " Lower Division" the roadbed is well and substantially made. One or
two alterations, however, in the curvature, are desirable, and can be
accomplished without much, if any additional expense, other than is necessary
in relaying the present track. About the centre of the division, the bed of the
road, for nearly a mile in extent, is already graded sufficiently wide for a
double track, and it is proposed to lay the new track thereon, leaving the
present one to be used as a turnout or siding, which will prove of great
service in facilitating the trade on the road. In conclusion I may remark, that
the country throughout the entire length of the line, is remarkably well
calculated to furnish materials for laying down a permanent track, and if
proper care is taken in the grading and workmanship of the new track, it will
form one of' the most substantial roads in the country, and require but little
repairs for several years to come.
Should the weather prove favourable during the winter, both the
grading and renewal of the track may be finished by the first of May; but if
severe, such parts as cannot be finished during the winter, may be laid in the
early part of' the summer, without any serious interruption to the trade on the
road.
All which is very respectfully submitted
EDWARD F.
GAY, Engineer.
West Philadelphia,
November 18th, 1849.