ROUTE NEAR THE THIRTY-SECOND PARALLEL. 
99 
prices having been added ; the sum of the two distances being 624 miles, at 
$35,000 per mile. $21,840,000 
From the Pecos to the Rio Grande, the cost being assimilated to that of the Bal¬ 
timore and Ohio railroad for 80 miles, and 50 per cent, being added to the 
cost—SO miles, at $75,000 per mile.$6,000,000 
The remaining 83 miles, at $45,000 per mile...$3,735,000 
-$9,735,000 
From the Rio Grande to San Pedro, on the Pacific, 831 miles, at $45,000 per 
mile. $37,395,000 
Total from Fulton, on Red river, to San Pedro, being 1,618 miles. $6S,970,000 
In continuation to San Francisco, the distance from the Rio Grande at El Paso to 
San Fernando may be considered the same as to San Pedro, and the amount 
of estimate as above may be adopted. The remaining distance from San Fer¬ 
nando to San Francisco is about 421 miles, of which about 75 miles is of a 
highly favorable character of mountain passes, which may be estimated at 
$90,000 per mile... $6,750,000 
The remaining 346 miles being estimated at $50,000 per mile. $17,400,000 
Total distance from Fulton, on Red river, to San Francisco being 2,039 miles, 
and the total estimated cost. $93,120,000 
This estimate supposes the final condition of the passes in the Sierra Nevada and the coast 
range. Should the steeper grades be used a reduction of nearly $3,000,000 may be made from 
the estimate. 
The equipment for the first business of the road, included in the preceding estimate, may be 
estimated for 200 passengers daily each way, and a light freight business. The cost of this 
would amount, at eastern prices, to $1,000 or $1,200 per mile, less than one fifth of that of the 
six principal Massachusetts roads out of Boston, the average cost of equipment of which per 
mile is $6,147; total length of roads 381 miles. The amount of work performed by these roads 
in 1853 was— 
Number of passengers carried one mile. 111,075,121 
Number of tons of freight carried one mile. 61,858,964 
Adding 50 per cent, for cost of freight, &c., we may estimate the first equipment of the Pacific 
road at $3,000,000, and the cost of depots, stations, &c., at from $2,500,000 to $3,000,000; total, 
equipment and depots, $6,000,000. Should the road be finally worked to its full power, the cost 
of equipment and depots would exceed $20,000,000. 
The length of this route from Fulton to San Pedro is. 1,618 miles. 
The sum of the ascents and descents 32.7S4 feet, which is equivalent to 621 miles, 
and the equated length of the road is. 2,239 miles. 
The estimated cost is.$6S,970.000 
From Fulton to San Francisco the distance is.. 2,039 miles. 
The sum of the ascents and descents 42,008 feet, which is equivalent to 795 miles, 
and the equated length of the road is. 2,834 miles. 
The estimated cost is. $93,120,000 
BUSINESS OF THE ROAD. 
It may be desirable to consider the sources of business for a railroad to San Francisco when 
constructed. 
The value of the Santa Fe trade is stated by Captain Pope to be yearly $6,000,000. 
