RAILROAD LOCATION. 



By Fred Lavis. 



The location of a railroad is generally divided into three operations. 



The Reconnaissance : — A rapid, thorough examination of the 

 country through which the proposed road may pass, to determine, in a 

 general way, the route, the principal controlling or governing points, and 

 the general resources of the country. 



The Preliminary Survey, the object of which is to make a 

 topographical map of a strip of country through which the final location 

 will pass, and through which runs a sufficiently accurate base line or lines, 

 and on which map the best line the country affords, under the governing 

 conditions, can be projected are laid out, and in such a manner that it 

 can be afterwards reproduced on the ground. 



The Location consists in projecting on the map described, the best 

 line the country affords with the governing conditions ; of alignment and 

 grade, in staking out this line on the ground ; obtaining a profile of it 

 and fixing the gradients ; determining the character of the material to be 

 excavated and of the various bridges, culverts and other structures ; the 

 names of the various property owners ; limits of their land, and necessary 

 right of way to be secured ; and an estimate of the various quantities of 

 material to be excavated and moved, or used in any way on the construc- 

 tion of the road. The maps and profiles of the line as finally located 

 should present a complete plan and scheme for the construction of the 

 road, with the exception of the details of the structures. 



The results to be attained by all location surveys, where a tentative 

 rate of grade has already been determined, may be briefly summarized as 

 follows : 



1st. — To establish the fact that a practical line can be obtained with 

 the desired ruling grade, or, if not, what the lowest practical 

 ruling grade will be. 



2d. — To be sure that the line obtained is such that no other Hue can 

 be built through the same country, with the same or better rul- 

 ing grades, with less expenditure, at the same unit prices. 



3rd. — If more than one party is in the field, working on the same 

 line, though on different parts, to keep close control of results 

 from central headquarters, so that all work may be co-ordi- 

 nated. 



4th. — To have on the completion of the survey complete right-of- 

 way maps, estimates of quantities, and costs showing in detail 

 the exact nature of the work, so that contractors can bid intel- 

 ligently and work be started at once, if necessary. 



