NA, WNC 3/7/1864

Western North Carolina Rail Road Company
Salisbury N. C. March 7th 1864
 
F. W. Sims Lt. Col & QM
 
My Dear Sir,
   In reply to yours of the 5th I give this information in regard to our road which you desired.
   We have five engines all in fair condition except one and it will be out in ten days, the others not in the best order, for the want of flues which I could not obtain and consequently had to stop with bolts their places.
   Two engines are required for passenger trains each day, as by the enclosed time tables. One constantly employed as a yard train and for repairs. Another for freight and the 5th runs on the N. C. Road with Govt supplies.
  We have 46 Box Cars, most of them in good order, three not in condition one being rapidly repaired by a sufficient number of ??? functions. The number in good order is ample for any business our customers can do. To each train we run 2 passenger one baggage and from 4 to 6 freight cars ??? this as capacity engines. 
   We have eight flat cars and am making others. In a short time 2 engines will I fear be in the shop for the want of tires -- Chilled ??? ??? not so good, when made of suitable ??? will answer all purposes and I would most respectfully say first that the Govt. get up Chills of all sizes and go to casting at once -- for chilled cost so much that smaller corporations, that do not need more than two sets of trains, can't afford to undertake it themselves.
   As for material if I could put down paper for flues and about 500 lbs each of brass & steel I could work through for a long time and expect very confidently some other supplies from vessan or down of our State vessels.
   If you could ??? for me two good machinists I will have hands sufficient to keep every thing up.
Very Respy
Yr Obt Servt
Jas. W. Wilson
Eng & Supt
WNCRR   {Western North Carolina RR}

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