222 RAILROAD LOCATION 



RAILROAD LOCATION 



RECONNAISSANCE 



The engineering operations preceding the building of a 

 railroad are (1) the reconnaissance, (2) the preliminary survey, 

 and (3) the location. 



The reconnaissance is a rapid examination of a strip of coun- 

 try lying between the proposed terminals with the following 

 objects in view: (1) To determine the most feasible and eco- 

 nomical line between the terminal points; (2) to locate the 

 controlling points, which consist of stream crossings, summits 

 of ridges, and other natural and artificial features of the terri- 

 tory through which the road must necessarily pass in order to 

 come within the limit of permissible cost of construction, and 

 which include such features as the position of towns, manu- 

 facturing sites, etc.; (3) to determine the maximum grade and 

 the maximum rate of curvature; (4) to ascertain the kind of 

 material likely to be encountered in the construction of the 

 road, and to determine the effect of the material on the cost 

 of maintenance; (5) to note the resources of the country and 

 its capabilities for future development, and to calculate the 

 probable effect of the building of the road on this develop- 

 ment ; (6) to obtain a general idea of the approximate cost per 

 mile and of the total cost of the completed road. 



For the purpose of determining relative elevations and 

 directions of streams and roads, the engineer should provide 

 himself with an aneroid barometer, a pocket compass, and a 

 hand level. Much useful information can be obtained from 

 existing maps. With this equipment the engineer investigates 

 personally all important points involved and makes compre- 

 hensive notes of all topographical features along the route, 

 such as the size and direction of streams, together with their 

 highwater marks; the slope of important waterways that must 

 be crossed; and any other information concerning them 

 that can be secured. Such information as can be obtained 

 regarding the character of the soil, the prevalence of rock, 





