30 EXTRACTS FROM [PRELIMINARY] REPORT. 
even to the base of Sierra Nevada, although there are many mezquites and alamos in the 
valleys of the streams, and some cedars upon the hills, a general scarcity of fuel prevails. 
Upon the mountain slopes of California, the supply both of timber and fuel is supposed to he 
exhaustless. 
COST OF CONSTRUCTION. 
From so hasty a survey, little more could he expected than to furnish approximate materials 
for a rough estimate. The time allotted to the preparation of this part of the work scarcely 
admits a reference to that data. It will he furnished to the department for future examination. 
A few remarks, however, expressing merely in general terms the ideas impressed by the field 
observations, may not he inapplicable to the conclusion of this subject. For this purpose I pro¬ 
pose to divide the line into sections, and, by a comparison with roads already constructed, draw 
an inference of the probable expense of completing the Pacific railway. 
Section I. From Fort Smith to camp 33, near the head of Washita river , three hundred and 
sixty-five miles. —The general surface is an inclination nearly uniform of four feet to the mile. 
Following the line of profile 1, there are hills and undulating prairies, intersected by frequent 
rivulets. The soil is fertile ; timber and stone for construction abundant. The labor required 
for masonry and graduation will compare favorably with the average upon the railroads of the 
State of New York. The average total cost for construction and equipment of New York rail¬ 
roads, as reported by the State engineer, is $45091.84 per mile. As steamboat navigation 
exists to the mouth of the Canadian, ten per cent, added ought certainly to cover all the extra¬ 
ordinary expenses due to the locality described ; making $49,600 per mile, or $18,104,000 for 
the total cost of construction and equipment of this section. 
Section II. From camp 33, head of Washita river , to Tucumcari creek , tivohundred and eighty- 
one miles. —Following the valley of the Canadian, the average grade is eight feet per mile. 
Although there is some good soil upon the streams, many sandy spots occur, and the general 
aspect of this section is that of sterility. Water can easily be obtained ; but timber of good 
quality for railroad ties is scarce. Cedars are abundant, it is true ; but it is doubtful whether 
they would be available except for fuel. The main supply would, therefore, be of oak, obtained 
from the Cross Timbers at the eastern end of the section. For graduation and masonry, our 
standard of comparison may be the same as before. But increased expenses for transportation 
will make it proper to add twenty per cent, to the original, making the estimate about $54,100 
per mile, or for the section $15,202,000. 
Section III. From Tucumcari creek to Albuquerque, two hundred and one miles. —Leaving the 
Canadian river, the surface is undulating to Rio Pecos. Thence to Albuquerque much labor 
will be required—equal, probably, to that employed upon the Hudson River road. The total cost 
of construction and equipment of the latter is stated to be $81812.16 per mile. As good 
timber is abundant upon the latter part of the line, and we are among a civilized people of 
agricultural and pastoral pursuits, where wages of native labor are low, it is believed that thirty 
per cent, added to our standard may, with proper economy, accomplish the work. This estimate 
amounts to $106,355 per mile, and for the section $21,317,355. 
Section IY. From Albuquerque to Zuni, one hundred and fifty-one miles. —The labor required 
for graduation and masonry upon this section will be less than upon the last, and an abundance 
of good timber and stone is easy of access. The cost of construction and equipment on this 
portion of the route may be compared with the western railroad from Worcester to Albany, 
which is $64,218 per mile. Adding forty per cent, for increased expenses of transportation, 
&c., and our estimate amounts to about $90,000 per mile, equal to $13,590,000 for the section. 
Section Y. From Zuhi to San Francisco Springs, one hundred and ninety-eight miles .— 
Throughout this portion of the route excellent timber may easily be obtained from the Zuni 
mountain of Sierra Madre, from Sierra Mogoyon by rafts down the Colorado Chiquito, and, 
