Topeka, Kansas, March 30, 1886
B. F. Booker, Esq.
Topeka, Kansas.
Dear Sir:
You are hereby authorized to take charge of the surveys and final location of the line between
Kansas City and Chicago, and in doing this work, you will be governed by the following
instructions, viz:-
LINE IN MISSOURI & IOWA
First - for the line in Missouri and Iowa west of the Mississippi River, I desire that you should put on a party at the terminus of the Belt Railway at Kansas City and locate the line definitely via a crossing of the Missouri River at Sibley by the most direct route to Fort Madison, Iowa. A survey for location has already been made near Lexington Junction to the place last named. You will locate one line following about the route of this survey, making such changes and additional location for side-lines as you may think desirable in order to secure the best possible line between the points named. Beginning upon this line at the terminus of the Belt Railway at Arkansas City, I think it will be well to extend a tangent crossing Blue River to and across the Alton and Missouri Pacific tracks, thence easterly along the south bank of the river to the crossing of the Missouri River at Sibley.
Second, - I also desire that you shall carefully locate a line leaving the line just above described at the most desirable point and deflecting to the south and eastward so as to cross the Mississippi River at Keokuk, Iowa or Warsaw just below the mouth of the Des Moines River.
Third - In regard to crossing the Missouri River at Sibley and the Mississippi River at Fort Madison and Keokuk or Warsaw, you will consult with Mr. O. Chanute, Civil Engineer, residing at Kansas City, and he will take in charge the estimates for the cost of construction of the bridges at these points. I desire to have you locate one line so as to connect with and cross the bridge at Keokuk, which is already constructed, and also locate a line crossing the Mississippi River south of the mouth of the Des Moines River.
Fourth- In doing this work, I desire that you should locate your line upon grades of eight-tenths of a foot per one hundred or 42.24' per mile, I also desire that you should not use in curvatures a curve shorter radius than 955 or 6 degree curve, unless there would be some special emergency requiring sharper curves. In conducting these surveys you will use the rules so far as practicable, as laid down in the instructions to the Atchison Company's Engineers in the field. All curvatures on maximum grades should be compensated for in accordance with rules referred to above.
Fifth - For this work in Missouri and Iowa I think you should put three parties in the field at once
fully equipped for rapid work.
LINE IN ILLINOIS
Sixth - I desire to have you put four parties on the work between the Mississippi River and Chicago so arranged as to put the work through with as little delay as possible, and if necessary organize another party for the preliminary survey north of Galesburg to a connection with the Chicago and Northwestern Railway between DeKalb and Earlville. In Illinois I desire that you locate definitely a line crossing the Mississippi River at Fort Madison to a point on the Chicago and Northwestern between Earlville and Peru.
Seventh - I also desire that you shall make a preliminary survey for an alternate line north of the C B & Q line between Galesburg to a Junction with the C & N W at some point south of DeKalb Centre in DeKalb County. As soon as this preliminary line is completed I desire to have you make your report as to the desirability of this line as compared with the line running south of the C B & Q to a junction point with the C & N W between Karlville and Peru.
Eighth - Simultaneously with this work I desire to have you locate definitely a line from the crossing of the Mississippi River at Keokuk or Warsaw, as heretofore described by the most direct route to a crossing of the Des Plaines River in the vicinity of Lemont in Cook County. At this point you will connect with the surveys which are now in your possession extending to Grand Crossing south of Chicago. The line of the southern location should, I think, pass through or near Lacon in Marshall County and through or near Marseilles in La Salle County thence via or near Plainfield to Lamont, splitting the country lying between the Rock Island road and the C B & Q.
Ninth - I desire also to have you make careful estimates of the cost of the located lines, dividing the estimates above referred to into sections of 100 miles each, east and west of the Mississippi River. I desire to have the estimates for the Missouri and Mississippi River Bridges reported separately from the estimate of the balance of the line. In order there may be no misunderstanding in regard to these estimates for large bridges, I shall arrange for an understanding between you and Mr. Chanute, whereby you will be furnished with the cost of these River Bridges, in order to make sure that the whole expense is covered.
Tenth - In the state of Illinois you will be governed by the same rules and regulations in regard to grades and curvatures as mentioned for the states of Missouri and Iowa. Simultaneously with the estimates of grading on grades of eight-tenths per 100 feet, I desire to have you prepare estimates of grading of six-tenths per 100 feet and one foot per 100 feet, laying these grade lines upon line located for eight-tenth foot grade, for both lines and for the whole distance. The results of these estimates you will report as a side estimate, showing cost of graduation east and west of the Mississippi River separately and giving comparison of cost upon basis of eight-tenth per 100 maximum grade. In connection with your final report I desire also to have you make a table of distances showing length of the entire road between the Union Depot at Kansas City and the several passenger depots at Chicago, using the track of the C & N W for the northern route, and the tracks of the several lines entering Chicago from the south, southwest and east, for the southern route.
Eleventh - I desire to have you undertake this work as early as possible and push it with as much vigor as possible until it is completed.
Twelfth- In preparing estimates use the following figures for graduation;-
Earth work, waste and borrow - 15 cents per Cu.Yd.
" " , hauled - 20 " " " "
Loose rock excavation - 45 " " " "
Solid rock - 85 " " " "
Haul of earth or rock c.y. per 100' - 1 cent " " "
For bridge work
Timber - $ 30 per cubic MBM
Piles - $ 0.45 lineal foot driven
Masonry, per cu. yd. - $ 7.50 for bridges
" " " " - $ 6.00 " box culverts
Ties, rails and other fixtures as per prices to be agreed upon when the estimate is made. Right of way buildings and all other items of expense not above mentioned should be carefully studied so as to have the final estimates complete and ample.
I shall hold myself ready at all times to furnish information or assistance. I would like to have a brief report from you once each week or at least three times per month.
Wishing you success in this important work, I am
Yours truly
(signed) A.A. Robinson
2nd V.P. & Chief Engineer
Volume 12 pages 36- 38 Splinters transcribed in altered form for the web by Matt Lee.
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