RAILROAD LOCATION AND CONSTRUCTION — MACKENZIE. 113 



Next the location was plotted on the plan, keeping as near to the 

 dotted line as the limiting curves and grades would allow. Notes 

 were then written on a slip of paper and sent back by the boy to 

 the chief of the locating party. They would read somewhat as 

 follows : " From Sta. 40 measure at right angles to the right, 36 

 ft. and fix a point. Then go to Sta. 45, measure 50 feet to the 

 right, at right angles, and set up the transit here. Sight back 

 to first point, run tangent to Sta. 65 of location. Then put in a 

 5° curve to rigfht, to Sta. 75+50. Then run tang-ent to 80+40, and 

 put in a 4" curve to left, etc. 



By this means the engineer kept ]:)oth parties hard at work, 

 and, with the help of a saddle-horse, the box and the boy, did 

 the necessary exploratory work ahead of the preliminary party, 

 as well as making an occasional visit to the locating party. 



Field- Boohs. — Both transit and level-books should begin at 

 the bottom of the page, so that the topographical notes may be 

 entered on the right-hand page, opposite the stations to which 

 they refer. Both transit-man and leveler notes down crossings 

 of streams and roads, and as much other topography as he has 

 time for, without delaying his principal work, although the 

 topographer is supposed to note everything necessary on pre- 

 liminary work. On location, however, the transit-man takes all 

 the topography, excepting land-lines and proprietors' names, 

 which is best done by a land-surveyor. 



Plans, Profiles, ami Estimates. — Plans, profiles, and estimates 

 of the located line are now made. The preliminary sheets are 

 completed by laying down thereon the widths required for right- 

 of-way, taking from the profile the widths of the widest banks 

 and cuttings, and extra land for snow-fences, ballast-pits, etc. 

 This, wath the determining of the sizes and positions of culverts, 

 bridge-spans, foundations, etc., calls for a special visit of the 

 chief engineer, or an experienced assistant, to the ground, with 

 plan and profile in hand. This is a point often neglected, or left 

 to incompetent persons, and the results are unsuitable founda- 

 tions and structures and an insufficiency of culvert-openings. 



Plan. — The plan shows the stations at every 1000 ft., the plus 

 stations at every land-line, change of width in right-of-way^ 

 stream and road-crossino's, and cultivated or wooded land. 



