| Annual Report of the North Carolina RR |
| as of June 1, 1863, |
| Examining Committee's Report |
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| Report of Committee of Inspection
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| To the Stockholders of the North Carolina
Rail Road Company:
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| Gentlemen,
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We have again examined your Road, with its appurtenances,
and while we find several things in the same condition as last year,
it affords us pleasure in being able to state that, in several
particulars, much improvement has been made.
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| The Culverts and Bridge
masonry remain about the same as last year.
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The superstructure of some of the Bridges
has been repaired; and we consider them all safe for the passage of
trains; still many of them need overhauling and repairing to make them
what they ought to be -- perfectly safe for the passage of
trains, and well protected from the weather.
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The following bridges need new repairs in the particulars
specified: Little River, new wallplates, &c.; Neuse River, some
slight adjustment; Walnut Creek, Lower and Upper Eno, Haw River and
Irish Buffalo, the roofs to be repaired; also tracks on bridges and
abutments Crabtree creek, new wallplates, and both roof and track to
be overhauled and repaired; Cates Creek, span of bridge to be rebuilt;
Back Creek, new bolsters and wallplates, and its roof and track
repaired; East Buffalo, Rich Ford and Coddle Creek, to be supported in
part by tressels and have new stringers put under track; West Buffalo,
track to be relaid and roof to be repaired; Deep River, Jimmie's creek
and Abbott's creek, new stringers; North Potts, a new floor beam, and
track relaid; Yadkin river, roof repaired; Rocky river, track to be
relaid. The ends of several of the Bridges still suffer from driving
rains and the too near approach of the embankments.
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We would here state, that there is a
force of hands under Mr. Reno, started to overhaul and make all the
necessary repairs about Bridges. From the character which Mr. Reno has
sustained, for many years in this State, South Carolina and Georgia,
as a capable, energetic and faithful workman, we feel sure that, if he
is supplied with the proper material, he will soon, not only put your
Bridges in good order, but keep them so.
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Road Bed, Ballasting, Ditching, Cross Ties and Track.
All the worst sections of the Road have been divided during the past
year, and more section-masters and hands placed on them; this is
commendable, as it will enable them to bring forward the work and keep
the Road in much better order during the winter. The Road bed is
generally good; several portions of it have been ballasted during this
year, and at several points they are still engaged in putting on
ballast. We recommend a continuance of the good work. It will take
both time and perseverance to do all the ballasting necessary to keep
your Road up under heavy freights during or winter seasons.
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In some places the Road bed is well and
thoroughly ditched, but in many places the ditching has yet to be
done. The main Road way is clearer of bad sills than it has been for
years. During the past year there have been between ninety thousand
and one hundred thousand cross ties put into the Road, and it will
require about as many more to repair the turn-outs and keep up the
road for next year. There have been about fifteen hundred defective
bars of iron {about 3 miles, both tracks}
taken our of the main track during the past year and replaced by bars
from turn-outs, and there are probably over two thousand still in main
track that are more or less defective; with this exception the track
is in good order both as regards alignment and proper adjustment of
cross sections. While the section masters generally deserve credit for
the energy and spirit which they have exhibited in putting their
sections in good order, your Committee would award to Mr. J. F. Irwin
the praise of having the best section. Ferabgee, Horney, and others
come next in order.
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Warehouses. These are generally in about the same
condition as last year. The roof of the warehouse at Graham leaks
badly; there are also slight leaks in warehouses at Smithfield and
Gibsonville. At Raleigh there is no place for local freight; the doors
of general warehouse require repairs, better drainage is necessary
about Depot, and more trucks are needed for moving freight. More room
is required at Greensboro'. To remedy this, it is proposed for the
present to fit up the wood shed for an Office and the accommodation of
passengers, which will add the present Office and passenger room to
the freight accommodation. This arrangement will answer until the
completion of the Danville Rail Road {Piedmont
RR}, when joint buildings will be required for the
accommodation of both roads.
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Platforms at Jamestown, Concord, and
Holtsburg need repairs; also the windows and doors at Thomasville and
Holtsburg. At Lexington the scales for weighing and the guttering of
roof both require attention. At Charlotte the accommodation for local
freight is too small; and we think it would save both trouble and loss
if the joint Depot were divided, so that each Road could lock up its
portion of the warehouse. While a majority of your warehouses are not
kept as clean and neat in and about them as could be desired, your
Agents at the other Depots deserve credit for the care manifested in
the proper arrangement of freight, and the neat manner in which
everything is kept, both in and around their buildings. Your committee
would point to James I. Long, of Salisbury, as the best example of
order and neatness.
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Wood and Water. There is a better supply of wood
on the Western Division this year than there was last, but there is
still a great scarcity between the Shops and Raleigh. Some additional
wells have already been dug, and others are now being dug; besides
other arrangements made and making to increase the supply of water.
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Stations. At Hillsboro and several other Stations,
some better arrangements ought to be made for passengers getting on
and off the trains; and some graveling is also necessary at Hillsboro'
and one or two other depots, the better to enable loaded wagons in bad
weather to approach and leave the warehouses. At Charlotte larger and
better accommodations are much needed for passengers. Both at
Goldsboro' and Charlotte, your trains, as formerly, stand exposed to
the weather. At Salisbury a Passenger Depot and Shed was built at the
joint expense of your road and the W. N. C. R. R. {Western
North Carolina RR}, but it seems to be very much on one side,
and your trains have not entered it in twelve months, consequently
making it very bad in rainy weather for passengers, especially ladies,
getting on and off the train. At this Station many soldiers with their
friends are compelled to lie over for the train, more room is
therefore necessary to give them accommodation. To remedy this, we
would suggest that the wood-sheds be fitted up for that special
purpose. At Raleigh, your wives and mothers, sisters and daughters, as
well as your wounded or sick sons and brothers, who may have to change
cars or await the arrival of trains at that point, must do without a
resting place, private retreat, or shelter from the weather. As
Stockholders in the Road, are we doing ourselves, our friends, the
State or the traveling public justice in this matter?
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Accidents. While a greater number of trains have
been reported off, or partly off the track the past year, than the
preceding, but little damage has been done, and not a passenger
injured. The slower running of the Trains and the Telegraph are very
efficient aids in preventing accidents; the former is a great saving
in the wear and tear of both Road and stock, and the latter of time,
and a safeguard against collisions.
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Engines and Cars. We congratulate you upon the
generally improved condition of your Engines. Since last year many of
them have been overhauled and repaired, others are now undergoing
repairs. Some of the Cars have already been repaired; many of them are
yet to be repaired, and some are not worth repairing. A number of new
Cars have been built -- others building; and we think the business of
your Road calls for at least one hundred additional Box Cars, besides
a number of Flats and Passenger Cars. The building of Engines ought
also to be commenced to meet the wants of the Road.
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Passenger Trains. Some of the Passenger Coaches
need repairing; some new ones have been built, and the business of
your Road requires still an additional number in order that each
Conductor may have his own train, and be required to keep the
coaches in good order.
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Workshops. In former reports your committee have
called your special attention to this all-important department, and
made several remarks and suggestions which are still worthy of your
consideration. During the past year more accommodation has been
provided for employees, and more men employed, but there is still a
necessity for more room, more hands, and more machinery to supply the
wants of your road, and enable it to meet the demands of your State
and country. At your meeting in Hillsboro', in 1858, a resolution was
passed, "That there be no further erection of buildings at the
Shops, without first obtaining the approbation of the
Stockholders." We would therefore recommend that you approve, at
your present meeting, the building of additional quarters for hands,
and a suitable Round House to accommodate, with ease and safety, your
engines. That the present Engine House, which is very inconvenient,
and also unsafe as a stable, may be appropriated as a shop for the
building of Cars.
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As the Officers of your Road will doubtless give you a
detailed account of their several Departments, we will close, by
saying that every facility has been afforded us from the highest to
the lowest employee for making a thorough examination; and, that we
congratulate you upon the success of your road, its brightening
prospects, and the general harmony existing between Officers and men,
and the interest manifested by them in the prosperity of the Road.
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All of which is respectfully submitted.
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| William Murdoch
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Com. |
| John M. Morehead
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| William R. Holt
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