| Annual Report of the Virginia Central RR |
| as of October 1, 1861, |
| Road Committee's Report |
| |
| Report of the Road Committee |
| The undersigned, members of
the committee appointed to examine into the condition of the Virginia
Central Railroad, beg leave to report, that they passed up to the
western terminus of that part of said road now in use on Monday last,
and on the three following days passed down the road to Richmond,
traveling slowly, and stopping at depots, bridges and culverts, to
examine into their condition, they found the road west of Staunton in
excellent order. The road east of Staunton, in their opinion, is in as
good order as could reasonably be expected, considering the very wet
summer and fall so far, and the excessive use that part of the road
has been subjected to for the last four or five months. It is they
think as level as usual, sufficiently so for the cars to pass very
pleasantly over it, and they think safely. Side ditching is required
on most of the road, the heavy falls of rain having very much filled
up the side ditches: that is being done, and they doubt not will be
completed before the winter sets in. The very old wood culverts as
they give way are replaced with stone culverts, which they very much
approve, and strongly urged the Superintendent of the road to
persevere in doing so, until all the culverts are made of stone. Some
very severe brakes were made in the road near the Junction, and a few
miles east thereof recently, by a most extraordinary fall of rain.
Substantial stone culverts are being built, which they think will
prevent such injuries in future. The bridges seemed to your committee
to be safe, and generally in a good state of preservation. Many of the
depots on the road are very indifferent buildings, but will continue
to answer the purpose for which they were intended for some time to
come; as it becomes necessary to replace them, they would advise its
being done with hard brick. They also examined the Company's work
shops in Richmond; so far as they are capable of judging, everything
there seems to them to be conducted very well; but they feel very
incompetent to discharge this part of their duty, if it is their duty
to examine the shops, of which they have some doubt. |
| They were accompanied by Mr.
Richardson, the Superintendent of the road, and furnished with all the
needful facilities in making the examination. |
| All of which is respectfully submitted
this 27th day of September, 1861 |
|
Robt. H. Nelson
|
|
John Hunter
|
| Benj. Wood |
|
Philip Nelson
|
|