| Annual Report of the Central Southern RR |
| as of October 1, 1861 |
| Engineer's Report |
| |
| Engineer's Report |
| |
| To the President and Directors Central
Southern Railroad Company: |
| |
| Gentlemen, |
| On the 21st day of November,
1860, the track of your road was connected at Prospect Station, and on
the 22d, the trains commenced running through from Nashville to
Decatur. For about three months after the track was connected, it took
nearly the entire road force to keep the track in condition for the
passage of trains. Since then there has been a large force ballasting
and ditching. There are now about three miles of track to ballast
south of Pulaski, and three and a half north, most of the track south
of Pulaski, can be ballasted by Christmas. By employing about thirty
hands next year you can complete the ballasting and put the track in
fine condition early in the season, after which they could commence
filling the trestles. |
| The bridges have not been
covered, as there could be no tin procured for the roofs. I think it
will be economy to cover them as soon as the lumber can be sawed and
seasoned, and use for the roof two thicknesses of thin poplar or linn
plank, the plank to be dressed and the roof painted; such a roof would
protect the bridge and would not be likely to take fired from sparks
for several years. |
|
There has been a water-tank put up at the south end of
the tunnel, that is supplied by a spring, it will afford sufficient
water for the locomotives, excepting in a very dry season, when it may
be necessary to use some water from the tank at Pulaski.
|
| The tank at Lyttle's Creek
ought to be removed to Hurricane, so it can be supplied by the hands
engaged on repairs. |
| A freight house and platform
have been put up at Hurricane. There is no house at Richland, nor
house or platform at Aspen Hill. There is no shelter for the engines
at the State line, I think it would be well to build one and a room
for the comfort of the enginemen and firemen. |
|
Contracts have been made for building the division
houses, for the repair force, at Hurricane, Wales and Aspen Hill, and
the houses at Hurricane are nearly completed. All can be completed
before Christmas.
|
| I think you ought to build a
smoke-house at one of the division houses, say at Hurricane or Wales,
so as to lay in a supply of meat at the beginning of the year. |
| All of which is respectfully submitted, |
| D. J. Johns |
| Engineer |
|