| Annual Report of the Montgomery & West
Point RR |
| as of March 1, 1862, |
| Superintendent's Report |
| |
| Superintendent's Report |
| |
| Office of Engineer and Superintendent |
| Montgomery & West Point R. R., March 1,
1862 |
| |
| To Chas. T. Pollard, Esq., President: |
|
The earnings of your Road for the financial year ending
28th ult. have been as follows:
|
| From transportation of Freight |
$195,336.18 |
|
"
"
" Passengers |
196,328.42 |
|
"
"
" Mail |
21,162.48 |
| Total |
$412,827.08 |
| The earnings for the year 1860-61 were |
442,683.11 |
| Showing decrease of only |
9,856.03 |
| The expenses for the same period
have been -- |
|
| For maintaining Road, including labor,
subsistence, clothing for hands, salaries of all officers
connected with the repair department, timber, Spikes, etc |
$54,815.55 |
| Maintenance of Rolling Stock, including
all labor on and materials for same |
84,892.87 |
| Operating, including wages of agents,
clerks, conductors, watchmen, train hands, etc |
66,566.18 |
| Making a total of expenses of |
$206,274.60 |
|
| Total number of miles run by trains in 1861 was |
335,644 |
|
"
"
"
"
" 1862
was |
313,731 |
| Showing a decrease in number of miles run this
year of |
21,913 |
| Total expenses of all kinds per mile run in 1861 |
79.7 cts. |
|
"
"
"
"
"
" 1862 |
65.7
" |
| Showing a decrease of expenses per mile run this
year of |
14 cts. |
|
|
When it is considered that a large portion of our usual
business has been cut off by the existing war -- that a considerable
portion of our transportation has been for the Government, at one
half our usual rates, and that the ruling prices of provisions,
materials and supplies of nearly every description have been higher
than at any other period of this Road's history -- these results
cannot but be satisfactory. But so materially have the main features
of our business been changed, that these results furnish us neither
data for a critical comparison with former years, or any indications
of the future.
|
|
The trains have been worked with as much safety and
freedom from accident as during any former year -- no serious accident
has happened to any train, and none whatsoever to passengers. The
frequent calls made on us during the year for special trains for the
transportation of troops have been promptly met, and this service has
been performed with entire freedom from accident.
|
|
Roadway, Buildings, etc.
|
|
The unusually heavy and almost incessant rains of the
past winter have not only to a great extent prevented the usual and
ordinary repairs to the roadway, but caused serious injury to it, and
heavy and general repairs to both Roadway and Bridging are required,
and will be commenced as soon as practicable.
|
|
Three Culvert on Notasulga grade, which were washed out
in August last, must be enlarged, and the Arch Culvert at Hallawaka
creek requires thorough repairs, having been seriously injured by the
late rains.
|
|
I recommend also the building of Rock Piers and a
permanent superstructure at Red Creek, in place of the trestle work
now there. Notwithstanding that the Road has suffered more from high
water during the last year than at any other period in the history of
the Road -- having twice, in that time, had to suspend the
transportation of merchandise on account of breaks in the line -- no
accident has resulted in consequence, either to Machinery or Cars.
|
|
Iron
|
|
The light rail on the upper end of the Road is nearly
worn out, and it is only by constant care and continued efforts that
its efficiency is maintained. It has, however, sustained another
year's business without being in much worse condition than at the date
of the last report.
|
|
In January last fifty tons of new T rails were purchased
of the Western & Atlantic Rail Road. This is still on hand, and
will be used for repairs and the construction of a new side track in
Montgomery.
|
|
Much difficulty has been experienced in procuring an
adequate supply of spikes for repairs; and a sufficient quantity has
only been procured at a considerable amount of trouble, and at
increased expense -- arising both from the limited quantity
manufactured in the Confederacy, and the lack of transportation from
Richmond -- the only point at which they are manufactured. That the
facilities for the manufacture of spikes in the Confederacy are
entirely inadequate to supply the amount necessary for the repairs of
Railroads is undeniable, and unless some means are adopted to supply
the deficiency, I apprehend serious embarrassment from this cause to
Rail Road operations.
|
|
In view of this fact, I recommend that several Rail Road
Companies unite in the purchase of a Spike Machine, and under their
own supervision establish a manufactory at some point convenient to
all concerned; or offer sufficient inducement to other parties, either
in the way of guaranteeing the purchase of their whole supplies for a
specified time at a rate which will be remunerative to the
manufacturer, or otherwise.
|
|
New Work
|
|
The new work during the year has been inconsiderable --
consisting chiefly of erecting county bridge at Shotwell's, Overseer's
house on Steam Mill Division, new Water Tank at Fort Decatur, repairs
of Depots, Platforms, &c., at a total cost of about $1,600.
|
|
Cars
|
|
The condition of the Cars at the date of the last report
has been maintained as nearly as possible, and the Cars now in service
are in good condition. The difficulty in procuring material at fair
rates has prevented the construction of Cars to any great extent, and
in consequence the number of Cars in service has been reduced. At the
date of the last report the number of
|
|
Box |
Platform |
Total |
| Freight Cars in service was |
113 |
88 |
201 |
| There has been built during the year |
|
5 |
6 {should
be 5} |
|
113 |
93 |
206 |
| Deduct Box Cars changed into Second Class
Passenger Cars 3 |
|
|
|
| Conductor's Cab Cars 2 |
|
|
|
| Cars broken up and condemned 4 |
9 |
22 |
31 |
| Leaving the number now in service |
104 |
71 |
175 |
|
|
And showing a decrease of 26 Cars employed in freight service since
last report.
|
|
To meet the extraordinary calls frequently made on us by
the Government for the rapid transportation of troops, munitions,
etc., as well as to provide for the increase of business which would
follow a return of peace and trade, I would recommend that at least 26
Box Cars and 12 Platforms should be built as early as practicable. We
have the same number of Passenger and Baggage Cars in service as at
lat report, and the condition has not been materially changed.
|
|
Locomotives
|
|
I refer you to table No. 5 for the number and condition
of Locomotives owned by the Company. No addition has been made to the
Motive Power during the past year, and the outfit in that respect has
been found sufficient for the transaction of our business.
|
|
With the exception of flues and tires I can foresee no
difficulty in maintaining the efficiency of our Motive Power during
the present year, and unless an unusual amount of casualties should occur,
our stock of these important items in repairs will be sufficient.
|
|
For the successful prosecution of a business in many
respects new to Rail Road management -- requiring not only
extraordinary dispatch, but, from the frequent running of trains at
irregular times, an unusual exercise of prudence, judgment and
discretion, -- I am much indebted to the persons employed in the
transportation department; and I bear willing testimony, not only to
the fidelity with which they have discharged their duties, but to the
entire willingness which has characterized their response to every
demand made upon them for extra service.
|
|
And to Mr. P. S. Beasey, Road Master, and the employees
in his department, I am much indebted, not only for the faithful
discharge of the ordinary duties of their department, but for their
prompt and unremitting labor in repairing the damage to the Roadway
and Bridging produced by the high waters which have prevailed during
the winter.
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Respectfully submitted,
|
|
Daniel H. Cram
|
|
Engineer and Superintendent
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