The Railway Library, 1909: A Collection of Noteworthy Chapters, Addresses, and Papers Relating to Railways, Mostly Published During the Year — John Shaqi
The Railway Library, 1909: A Collection of Noteworthy Chapters, Addresses, and Papers Relating to Railways, Mostly Published During the Year
History
The Railway Library, 1909: A Collection of Noteworthy Chapters, Addresses, and Papers Relating to Railways, Mostly Published During the Year
Railroads -- United States -- Periodicals
After reaching the Monongahela, two routes present themselves,
one following the bank of the stream to Pittsburg, and the other
ascending along the slope of the river hills, enters a valley leading
by Wilkinsburg and East Liberty. Thence, following this valley, it
descends Two Mile Run, and enters the city on the Allegheny side.
The latter, though the longest route, and requiring gradients of 50
feet per mile, has been adopted as it presented the only apparently
feasible route by which a connection could be formed with a road
extending towards the great west.
The comparative cost of grading and damages, upon the two lines,
would be rather in favor of the route adopted.
A line has also been located from the junction of Turtle and Bush
creeks, which passes up Bush creek and through Greensburg to
Bernhard's summit, thence by the valleys of Fourteen Mile Run,
Sauxman's and Magee's Runs, to the Conemaugh, at the gap through
Chestnut ridge.
If the Conemaugh route, by Johnstown, should be adopted, the line by
Greensburg will be about 3¾ miles longer than that by Turtle creek,
but passes east of the Loyalhanna, over much more favorable ground
than any other line examined.
Its advantages, in relation to the local trade of a rich and populous
section of country, west and east of Chestnut ridge, through the gap
formed by the Loyalhanna, give it strong claim for consideration.
Whether the increased length of the line and the difficulties west
of Greensburg will be sufficient to counterbalance these local
advantages we will leave undecided until the comparative estimates
have been fully made out. Another line was traced, leaving Greensburg
and passing into Ligonier valley, through Chestnut ridge, at the
Loyalhanna Gap, thence north of this ridge along Coalpit and
Kendrick's Runs, to the Conemaugh, which resulted unfavorably.
Further examinations will be made through Ligonier valley, striking
the Conemaugh higher up. The Black Lick and the country between it
and the Conemaugh will also be examined during the season.
The following summary statement will exhibit the estimated cost and
distances of a continuous railroad from Harrisburg to Pittsburg, via
Johnstown and Blairsville, graded for a double track, and a single
track and turnouts laid.
The estimate is based on prices that are believed to be ample to
finish the road in a substantial manner. If the work should be pushed
with _cautious energy_, it may be completed for a somewhat less sum.
The width of the roadbed at grade line in thorough cuts of earth is
32 feet, in rock 26 feet and on embankments 25 feet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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