EXTRACTS FROM [PRELIMINARY] REPORT. 31 
finally, in the vast forests in the midst of which this section terminates. Much of the distance 
along the Colorado Chiquito, and elsewhere, being nearly level, the labor required for gradua¬ 
tion and masonry will be quite light—probably less than that expended upon the Providence 
and Worcester railroad, which cost, per mile, $44,774. Fifty per cent, added for extraordinary 
expenses, gives about $67,161 per mile, and for the section $13,320,265. 
Section VI. From the San Francisco Springs to the Fio Colorado, two hundred and seventy- 
nine miles. —It has been already stated that over this section more favorable ground is believed 
to exist south of the main portion of our route. If not, the labor of graduation and masonry 
through the canoned creeks will far exceed that upon any previous portion of the road. It 
would be similar to what was required along the cliffs of the highlands on the Hudson River 
road. But in estimating the cost, sixty per cent, increase will probably cover the extraordi¬ 
nary expenses due to locality, provided the road be built continuously from the coast, so as to 
furnish railway transportation for supplies. Total cost of construction and equipment of Hudson 
River road, $81812.16 per mile. Add sixty per cent., and we have about $131,000 per mile, 
and for tbe section $36,549,000. 
Section VII. From Rio Colorado to the Pacific , three hundred and seventy-four miles. —The 
line traversed is recommended only in case subsequent explorations should prove that the more 
direct routes suggested are less favorable than appearances would indicate. The expense, 
however, is estimated with due regard to the magnitude of the work. It is believed, however, 
that upon no portion of this route, except the tunnel through Cajon Pass, can the difficulties 
exceed what was encountered upon the Baltimore and Ohio railroad; and for the greater part of 
the distance, where wide valleys are followed, labor of graduation and masonry will be very 
small. In making the comparison referred to above, we find reported the sum of $58,410 as 
the total cost per mile. To this we would add cent, per cent., giving about $117,000 per mile, 
or for the section $43,758,000. This is supposed to include about $5,000,000 for the tunnel of 
the pass. 
RECAPITULATION OF ESTIMATE. 
Section. 
Length in miles. 
Average cost per 
mile. 
Total amount for gradu¬ 
ation and equipment 
complete. 
I... 
3G5 
$49, GOO 
$18,104,000 
II. 
281 
54,100 
15,202,000 
Ill. 
201 
106,000 
21, 306, 000 
IV. 
151 
90,000 
13,590,000 
V .. 
198 
G7,161 
13,320,265 
VI. 
279 
131,000 
36,549,000 
VII. 
4 
374 
117,000 
43,758,000 
Total... 
1,849 
89,903 
161,829,265 
I am aware that the above estimate far exceeds those made by eminent engineers, such as E. 
h . Johnson and Septimus Norris. But it is believed, that, without having been eye-witnesses of 
the uninhabited regions through which it is proposed to execute a work of such magnitude, they 
have failed to appreciate the extent of the difficulties which such an unprecedented condition of 
things would produce. 
It is true that, should a general route be agreed upon, and a portion of the cultivable valleys 
it would traverse thrown open to actual settlers, two years would produce an astonishing change 
in this region. Fields of grain and vegetables would spring up, as if by magic, from one end 
