18 
ADAPTATION OF COUNTRY TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RAILROAD. 
culvert across the San Buenaventura and abridge of about two spans of 150 feet each, across tbe 
Santa Clara, besides several smaller culverts, are all that is required upon tbis portion of the route. 
The length of this division is *70 miles. 
Maximum grade required, 63 feet per mile. 
Probable cost of construction and superstructure, $2,100,000. 
Cost per mile, $30,000. 
Recapitulation. Miles. 
Amount. 
Cost of 2d division.»..... 20.75 
Cost of 3d division..... 45.50' 
Cost of 4th division......... 71.50 
Cost of 5th division.. 24.50 
Cost of 6th division.... 32.50 
(*) (7 a) ....... (47.25) 
Cost of 8th division. 58.50 
Cost of 9th division....... -. 70.00 
$1,177,500 
1,141,250 
1,365,000 
3,575,000 
2,945,000 
975,000 
2,680,000 
(2,835,000) 
3,510,000 
2,100,000 
Total cost of. 396.00 
Average cost per mile. $49,163 00 
Add for equipment**•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••»••••••••••••••••«••••••••••••••••••»••••• 
19,468,750 
1,200,000 
Total costa* • ••••••••••**••••••••••••••••••••••••••••*•:•• •••••••••••• •. ••'»■••••• »mm 0 
20,668,750 
Average cost per mile, including equipment. 52,194 00 
(*) Division 7 a being 13.75 miles longer than division 7, at $60,000 per mile = $2,835,000, or $155,000 more than division 7, 
which gives for total cost of 409.25 miles, $19,623,750, exclusive of equipment. 
It should be borne in mind that tbe above estimates are not based upon as minute and careful 
a survey as it is customary to make for tbe purpose of determining the actual cost of a railway, 
and are therefore to be considered as mere approximations, where a very liberal allowance for 
each element which enters into them has been made. The basis upon which this estimate is 
made up may be briefly stated, as follows : 
Tbe amount of manual and animal labor required to finish tbe road in four years 
(of working days) is taken to be equivalent to 3,833 men, at $2 50 per diem, 
which gives(a) about. $12,000,000 
The superstructure, including rails, ties, chairs, and ballasting, when necessary, 
at $8,000 per mile, for 400 miles..... 3,200,000 
(6)Bridging and masonry, including cost, haulage, and preparation of materials... 2,*700,000 
Water stations and depots... 1,200,000 
Contingencies... 368,*750 
Total........ 19,468,*750 
Add for first equipment. 1,200,000 
Total cost. 20,668,*750 
It is believed that when a more stable state of things exists in California, a greater mass of 
population will be found along the route ; the immense districts of excellent agricultural and 
pastural lands through which it passes will be occupied and improved ; the avenues to every 
branch of human industry which the country is capable of maintaining will be thrown open to 
competition ; the prices of manual labor be reduced to a reasonable rate in consequence, and 
the cost of construction of so important and extensive a work he materially lessened. 
(а) By the employment of Mexicans, Indians and Coolies, in large numbers, this item will be lessened. 
(б) This item is probably in excess. 
