ROUTE NEAR THE THIRTY-SECOND PARALLEL. 91 



per mile : in other words, to reduce a grading of 150 feet to the mile, to one of 40 feet to the 

 mile, the expense of two additional engines, and the cost of working them through the pass, 

 must be added. 



For more detailed information in regard to this, I refer to the memoranda and tables prepared 

 by Capt. McClellan, Corps of Engineers, and the following extract from the report of Allan 

 Campbell, Esq., an able American engineer, upon the railroad from Valparaiso to Santiago. 



EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF ALLAN CAMPBELL, ESQ., CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE VALPA 

 RAISO AND SANTIAGO RAILROAD. 



&quot;From the known topography of Chili, and particularly from the facts stated in the preceding 

 pages, it will naturally be inferred that a railroad route from Valparaiso to Santiago is only to 

 be obtained by resorting to gradients of extreme acclivity. 



In no country where railroads have yet been constructed are more gigantic physical obstacles 

 encountered. I refer particularly to the elevations to be overcome, and not to the labor or cost 

 of constructing the road, because in this respect it presents a very favorable aspect. The only 

 alpine region where this species of improvement has yet been extensively introduced, is that of 

 the eastern part of North America. There the Alleghany mountains, stretching along the At 

 lantic coast from two to three hundred miles inland, separate that ocean from the rich and exten 

 sive valley of the Mississippi. 



The trade and commerce of this vast western region has long been the aim of the principal 

 cities situated on the Atlantic. In the various works of canals and railroads constructed for the 

 purpose, nearly two hundred millions of dollars have been expended. Stimulated by the great 

 prize held out, the resources of States and cities have been bountifully applied ; private capital 

 has been unsparingly devoted, while the genius and skill of engineers^ have been developed in 

 the noble rivalry. 



Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, and Savannah, have all engaged in 

 the construction of railroads leading westward. Some of these lines are now completed, and 

 others are approaching their termination. As these works pass over a country bearing a strong 

 resemblance in its topography to that part of Chili now under consideration, some notice of their 

 principal features will not be uninteresting. 



Without entering into minutias, it may be stated, that the several routes are from three hun 

 dred to five hundred miles in length, amounting in the aggregate to about twenty-five hundred 

 miles ; and, wonderful to relate, this vast extent of road is carried over such an elevated region 

 without a single inclined plane, worked by stationary power. Some of the lines were originally 

 operated in this manner, but they have been made to give place to gradients suited to the loco 

 motive engine. This fact will show the great importance attached to this consideration in a 

 country where routes affording the cheapest and most rapid method of transport are aimed at. 



The route from Boston passes over a summit 1,500 feet above the ocean, with a maximum 

 gradient of 83 feet per mile. Two roads lead from the city of New York to the western 

 waters; one through the valley of the Hudson river, with a summit of only 650 feet above 

 tide, and a maximum grade of 30 feet per mile ; and another, (the Erie railroad) whose highest 

 point is 1,700 feet above the Atlantic, on which grades of 70 feet per mile are adopted. 



Proceeding southerly, the mountains attain a higher elevation, and the routes from Philadel 

 phia and Baltimore are carried over very elevated summits ; that of the former being 2,400 feet, 

 with gradients of 95 feet per mile, and the latter about 2,600 or 2,700 feet, with a maximum 

 gradient of 116 feet. As this latter work so closely resembles the Santiago road, I shall have 

 occasion, presently, more particularly to speak of it. 



Proceeding still farther south, the mountains again decline, and the Charleston and Savannah 

 routes cross them at an elevation of 1,500 feet with very moderate grades, not exceeding 40 

 feet per mile. 



