Selections From The Splinters - Volume 12

This is not a history. | The Splinters - Volume 12 | The Splinters - Volume 14 The Splinters - Volume 23

July 1, 1886

B. F. Booker, Esq.,

Dear Sir:

I hand you the following report relating to the preliminary line surveyed by me from Atlanta, Missouri, southwest to the Muscle Fork of the Chariton River. From the crossing of the W. St. C P RR. just north of Atlanta the line descends a ravine on a supported grade to the valley of Long Branch. The located line should, with a few exceptions, closely follow the preliminary.

At Station 3883+50 the line might be improved by deflecting to the right crossing the stream and commencing an upward supported grade at once, re-connecting with the line at the most available point.

Between Stations 3870 and 3900 the angles will require considerable readjusting, throwing the line to the right at Station 3873 and to the left between Stations 3883 and 3889. From the crossing of Long Branch to the summit I do not recommend any change of line. From the, summit to the crossing of the East Fork of the Chariton River, the location should follow the preliminary except between Stations 3973 and 4036.

At Station 3973 the curve should be continued to the right until a tangent will strike about 200' to the right of Station 3987, thence to the left on a 6 curve until we strike a tangent parallel to and about 350' to the right of the line between Stations 4009 and 4029 - thence continue line and re-connect. From the crossing of East Fork to the crossing of Middle Fork I do not recommend any changes.

At Station 4219, west of Middle Fork the curve should be so adjusted as to throw the line about 100' to the right at Station 4223, thence running tangent to re-connect with Station 4247. Station 4297+70 the angle should be enough to throw the line about 40' left at Station 4313+50. At Station 4325 the line should be laid tangent to station 4341+50.

At about Station 4444+50 a 4 curve should be laid to the left so as to throw the line about 85' to the left at Station 4450, thence about 300' of tangent thence 6 curve to the right to meet the tangent between Stations 4473+20 and 4483 produced back. From Station 4559 to Station 4582+70 a tangent should be laid, taking out two angles. At Station 4616 the line descends into the valley of the Chariton River with a 27' fill which is gradually reduced by using the maximum grade to about 10' at 4650.

By deflecting to the left at 4616 and continuing to support the line along the points of the bluffs for half a mile more the line could enter the valley with only about 10' or 12' fill. This would increase the distance and curvature somewhat and I think it doubtful if it would be an improvement. Wherever the line enters the valley a tangent should be laid from that point to Station 4843. All angles in the valley should be taken out. This tangent of course, being subject to any slight change necessary to obtain a favorable crossing of the river.

Instead of deflecting to the left at Station 4858 the angle should be made at Station 4856 to strike Station 4880, thus throwing the line a little to the left. At Station 4907 a tangent should be laid to Station 4930 and from 4930 to 4951+60 and from 4951+60 to 4964, thus throwing out these angles.

At Station 4988+40 a tangent should be laid to Station 5024, thence continuing to about 5028+50, thence 6 curve to the left to re-connect with line. At Station 5063+60 a tangent should be laid to 5078+20, taking out one angle. At Station 5197 a tangent should be laid to Station 5217+90, thus taking out two angles and giving the opportunity to adjust the curvature required in getting down to Brush Creek of the branches of the Muscle Fork.

This line crosses the H&St J RR at Station 5081+15.1 at grade. It will be seen by the profile that from Station 5040 the grade descends to the Railroad crossing and then ascends to the Station 5110, thence descending again to Brush Creek.

It might be practicable to make an overgrade crossing by continuing on high grade from 5040, crossing the H&StJ in a cut 800 feet east of the present crossing and then descending to Station 5110. This would throw us on pretty high ground and possibly would not be practicable. I think, however, it should be examined.

From Station 5228+60 the line should be straightened considerably by laying a tangent from the point to a point about 100' left of Station 5260+90 - thence 6 to said left until we strike a tangent about 100' to the left of and parallel to the line between Stations 5264 and 5277+40, thence near the latter Station curving to the right and striking a tangent parallel to and about 60' to the left of the line between Stations 5277+40 and 5288, thence curving to the right until a tangent will strike Station 5306.

At Station 5306 the line should deflect a little to the left striking a point 150' R. of Station No. 5323+60, thence tangent to point 150' R. of Station 5383, thence tangent to Station 5405+30.

From Station 5415 the line should be laid tangent to Station 5456+60, thence to Station 5470, thence to Station 5495, thence to a point about 200' L. of Station 5525, intersecting the line between Station 5527+5558 produced back, thus avoiding a rock cut.

At Station 5389, I crossed to the right side of Brush Creek. From this point down a line laid in the left bank would require heavy work, a large percentage being rock cut, while in the right bank the only work required will be sufficient embankment to get above high water. Considerable bridging will also be saved by crossing the creek, especially one bridge across a lateral stream just below our point of crossing.

At Station 5558 I deflected to the left and re-crossed the creek for the purpose of connecting with Mr. Swartz' line. I am of the opinion, without having made a special examination, that the proper location would be to continue the line from Station 5558 down the right bank of Brush Creek. Cross Muscle Fork above the mouth of Brush Creek and lay the line on the right bank of Muscle Fork, thus saving one large bridge and considerable work.

In regard to the classification of the cuts, there is no indication that rock exists in any of them except at one or two points on Brush Creek which are so marked on the profile and which can be avoided on location. The deep cuts of the Hannibal and St. Joseph RR. do not show rock. I think, however, in making preliminary estimates I should figure the cuts as earth with about 10% L.R. in all those over 25' deep. I have made some cross-section of the H. St. J. RR cuts which are shown on the profile. They show that the tops do not stand at 1-1/2 to 1 slope.

The tops appear to cave away by the action of frost and rain. This continues even after the slopes get much flatter than 1-1/2 to 1. The section of country between Atlanta and the Muscle Fork appears to be underlaid with coal. At Lingo on the H & St. J. a few miles west of New Cambria, considerable coal is being taken out. The coal is bituminous and has the reputation of being excellent quality. Farmers along the line are in the habit of digging what they need for their own use and also in small quantities for sale.

Near Atlanta there are one or two fair sandstone quarries and near Brush Creek a good limestone quarry exists. Stone from the former has been used for rubble work and from the latter considerable bridge stone has been obtained. The cost of this stone at present is only about the cost of quarrying it - about $2.00 per yard. This price will probably increase at once whenever a company shows a desire to obtain some of it.

The timber along the line is principally oak, with some walnut. The quantity is considerable and its quality fair. Oak timber sawed is worth about $18.00 to $20.00 per M. delivered. Oak ties are worth 40 cents each delivered. The land is worth, when it has been cleared, from $12.00 to $18.00 per acre. When it has not been cleared about $4.00 per acre, after the valuable timber has been removed. A large part of the land through which we have passed from Atlanta west is of the latter kind. The only towns passed with the line are Atlanta on the W.St.L.& P RR and New Cambria on the H & St. J. - the former about 1/2 mile to the north and the latter about 1-1/2 miles N.W.

Atlanta has a population of about 150 and New Cambria about 250. The shipments from both these points are entirely agriculture. Cattle, hogs, milk and grain. The latter I think is generally put into cattle and hogs instead of being shipped as grain.

The feeling around the farmers is generally principally friendly towards the construction of another railroad. They complain a little, however, when the line run is diagonally across their farms and I think in such cases they will be disposed to demand considerable compensation.

There is one point which I neglected to mention at the proper place - the washing of streams. I have carefully examined the different streams crossed and have also made a great many inquiries and I find that they are not in the habit of changing their channels even during the highest water. I do not think any difficulty will be experienced in governing their streams. In regard to foundation for permanent structures at the crossing of the Chariton River and its branches, foundations would probably have to be made with piling. At the crossing of Brush Creek, rock foundation can be obtained.

I have not encountered any gravel along the line that would be suitable for ballast.

Respectfully,

Volume 12 pages 54 - 57 Splinters transcribed in altered form for the web by Matt Lee.

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