REPORT
OP
JOHN C. O'NEILL,
SUPERVISOR OP REPAIRS
ON THE
ALLEGHENY PORTAGE RAILROAD,
FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDINO NOV. 30, 1851.
REPORT
To the Board of Canal Commissioners:
Gentlemen :—In obedience to your instructions, I hereby transmit to you a report
of the operations of the repair department of the Allegheny Portage railroad, during
the fiscal year terminating on the 30th of November, 1851.
Any very extended observations from one so recently appointed to the management
of the repairs on this road cannot be expected ; I am, however, from the information
received from my predecessor, enabled to give a full and fair statement of the opera-
tions in this department during the fiscal year just closed.
The expenses in this department have been unusually large, owing to the worn out
and delapidated condition of the superstructure of the road; and what assisted to in¬
crease the expenditures to a greater amount, was the frequent freezes, thaws and rains
during the first three months of the season, which kept the foundation of the road
continually saturated with water, to the great injury of the superstructure, and re¬
quired a large force of men to be constantly employed in order to perform the repairs
that were necessary to prevent accidents or destruction of property; and it was deemed
prudent to continue that force during the whole season, believing that judicious and
necessary repairs are of the greatest importance to the capacity of the road, and the
true policy of its management.
In many places the whole superstructure has been entirely renewed and permanent
and substantial repairs, in all cases, made. New foundations have been put under the
North engine, at plane No. 6, and under the South engine, at plane No. 8, together
with several other foundations thoroughly repaired. New stacks have been erected
at planes No. 7 and 8, New foundations have been built under the large sheds at the
Johnstown and Hollidaysburg depots. New tracks have been laid at the Johnstown
and Hollidaysburg boat-slips.- Throe miles of new track have been laid on the Johns¬
town level; also a large amount of new track has been laid on the long level, between
planes No. 2 and 3, 3 and 4, 4 and 5, 5 and 6, 8 and 9, 9 and 10, and on the Holli¬
daysburg level. Materials were furnished for the erection of a larges hed at the Johns¬
town depot; also materials furnished, and the large shed at plane No. 6, finished com¬
plete. There have also been materials furnished for repairing all the sheds and State
houses at all the planes. A much greater amount of repairs has been made, during
the last season, than in any former one ; and it gives me pleasure to inform the board,
that the road is now in safe running order; but it will still require heavy repairs,
during the coming season, to render it competent to pass the increased tonnage antici¬
pated. It will require a larger appropriation than it has done in former years to pay
the additional expenses that will necessarily occur in keeping the road open during
the winter months, and to pay the debts contracted in making the necessary prepara¬
tions to do so. (See statement No. 4.)
Upwards of five miles of new water pipes have been laid and all the old ones have
been carefully examined, repaired, and covered sufficiently well to prevent all danger
from hard freezing. Four new locomotive sheds have been erected—new water cisterns
at all the planes and locomotive stations—the sheds at all the planes repaired, together
with many other repairs that were deemed necessary. This expenditure does not be¬
long either to the ordinary or extraordinary repairs of the season, and cannot be properly
so charged.
4
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF REPAIRS ON
There was no appropriation or means provided for furnishing materials and making
the extraordinary repairs that were necessary to keep the road in operation during
the winter months. It had to be done on the credit system, to the great disadvantage
of the State. I cannot too strongly urge the appropriation of a sufficient amount to pay
nil the debts due by the State, and an appropriation sufficient for the present year, to
enable the supervisor to pay the laborers monthly, and pay for all materials when
purchased. All the materials purchased, and labor performed in making the extra
repairs that were necessary to keep the road open daring the winter, was done at an
increased expense, from the fact of having no available funds to pay for labor or ma¬
terials, and on account of the increased demand for both, owing to the two new rail¬
roads now being constructed across the mountain. I would also suggest to the board
the propriety of purchasing one hundred tons of railroad iron, to be laid on the Johns¬
town level, and between planes No. 1 and 2, on such portions of the road as may be
used by the State in connection with the new road now being made. This would
enable the supervisor to take the best of the old iron to repair those levels which will
be avoided by the new road.
On the Johnstown level, I have considered it advisable to make a new piece of
embankment, and intend laying a new track, so as to avoid the danger of another
land slide, such as retarded the business in 1843. This has also served to increase
the expenditures, hut I believe it to be the true interests of the Commonwealth to do
so at this time, and avoid the risk of another slip, which would in all probability
happen in the spring, at the time the frost is leaving the ground, and at the same
time it will be avoiding one of the curves on this level.
All the repairs done during the last season, have been done by competent and ex¬
perienced men, and good materials have on all occasions been furnished and used.
An unusually large amount of castings have been used, owing to the large quantity
of new track laid.
The appropriation as per act of 10th of April, 1851, for ordinary and extraordi¬
nary repairs on this road for the fiscal year just closed, falls short 823,3G5 82f of
paying the expenses. Had the amount asked for by my predecessor been appropri¬
ated, the amount of outstanding debts would not have been near so large.
The tolls collected at Johnstown and Hollidayshurg were, by a resolution of the
board, consolidated. It is, therefore, impossible for me to contrast the receipts and
expenditures, not knowing the amount collected for this department.
The whole amount of tolls collected amount to 8249,088 88, and the amount
expended for ordinary and extraordinary repairs amount to 895,757,58, leaving a
balance of 8153,331 30, to be appropriated for motive power purposes. Of the fore¬
going amount of 895,757 58, expended for ordinary and extraordinary repairs, is in-
eluded the sum of 814,741 10 J, contracted in preparing the road for service during
the winter, which was not anticipated when the estimates for the year were presented
to the hoard. '
The following is an estimate for ordinary and extraordinary repairs for 1852, for
details of which see statements No. 1 and 6 :
For pay of foreman, carpenters and laborers - 844,500 00
" materials ------ 8,500 00
" castings 9,500 00
" miscellaneous items ..... 3,500 00
" 100 tons railroad iron ..... 6,000 00
" extraordinary repairs, as per statement No. 6. - - 11,775 00
Total amount required for ordinary and extrardinary repairs - 883,775 00
From this should be deducted twenty thousand dollars set apart by the board as
this road's proportion of the one hundred and twelve thousand dollars appropriated for
repairs after December 1st, 1851, per 19th section of appropriation bill of 10th April,
1851.
ALLEGHENY PORTAGE RAILROAD.
5
The following is an index to the annexed tabular statements :
Statement No. 1, exhibits the expenditures for repairs ordinary of 1851, an estimate
for 1852, amount paid on debts of 1849 and 1850, and a report of debts yet due of
of 1850 and 1851.
Statement No. 2, exhibits the expenditures for extraordinary repairs after Decem¬
ber 1st, 1850.
Statement No. 3, exhibits the expenditures for extraordinary repairs of planes.
Statement No. 4, exhibits amount of debts contracted, and unpaid, in preparing
for winter operations over the A. P. RR.
Statement, No. 5, exhibits the supervisor's account with the State treasurer.
Statement No. 6, exhibits an estimate of the probable expenditures for extraordi¬
nary repairs of year 1852.
Respectfully submitted.
JNO. C. O'NEILL,
Supervisor of Repairs on A. P. RR.
Supervisor's Office, 1
Summit, December 10, 1851. j
Statement, No. 1,
Exhibits the expenditures for repairs, ordinary, of 1851, an estimate for 1852, amount paid on debts of 1849 and 1850, and a report of
debts yet due of 1850 and 1851.
¡25 ITEMS.
O
Amount paid.
Amount due.
Total.
Estimate for
1852.
Paid debts
of 1849.
Paid debts
of 1850.
Debts due of
1850.
P3 Pay of foreman, carpenters and laborers,
^ Repair castings -
PL, String timber, mud sills, plank, ties, &c.,
9 Tools, smithing, hauling, and miscel¬
laneous, -
pet
O
PÍ
o
Amount required to pay ordinary debts o
P*
Actual expenses of 1851
P*
§ Appropriation required for ordinary repa
O Whole amount of appropriation made to
Eh
Pi Whole amount of appropriation made to
PH
PP Amount required to pay debts of 1850
pi
$31,067 691
4,960 95
7,230 57
1,717 391
$15,856 63
5,016 55
1,276 24
1,216 401
$46,924 321
9,977 50
8,506 81
2,933 264
$44,500 00
9,500 00
8,500 00
3,500 00
$1,547 09
1,855 34
948 91
$3,760 784
2,542 484
$2,023 50
$44,976 61
f 1851
irs of 1852
pay debts of 1
pay debts of IS
$23,365 821
$23,365 82f
849 -
350 -
$08,341 901-
$68,341 901
$06,000 00
$66,000 00
$4,351 34
$4,351 34
$6,303 27
$6,303 27
$2,023 50
$2,023 50
Total amount of appropriation required to pay debts of 1850 and 1851, and extraordinary repairs of 1851, in preparing tbe
road for winter operations (See statement No. 4), and ordinary expenses of 1852 - $106,130 341
o
ALLEGHENY PORTAGE RAILROAD.
7
Statement, No. 2,
Exhibits the expenditures for extraordinary repairs after December 1,1850.
Pay of foreman, carpenters and laborers ... - 85,610 261
Repair castings 2,500 25
String timber, mud sills, plank, ties, &c. ... - 8,299 73
Tools, smithing, hauling, and miscellaneous .... 1,263 79
Total 812,674 03 1
Statement, No. 3.
Exhibits the expenditures for extraordinary repairs of planes.
Pay of foreman, carpenters, and laborers
Repair castings -
String timber, mud sills, plank, boards, &c.
Smithing, tools, hauling and miscellaneous
Total -
-88,617 09
- 3,069 09
- 2,996 02
- 737 86
815,420 06
Note.—The above amount of 815,420 06, was a balance of an appropriation as per
act of 10th of April, 1850, for extraordinary repairs of planes, and was expended in
the fiscal year, 1851, in completing the planes that were undergoing heavy repairs at
the close of the fiscal year 1850, which amount properly belongs to the fiscal year of
1850, and not to 1851.
Statement, No. 4.
Exhibits amount of debts contracted and unpaid, in preparing for winter operations
over the A. P. IiR.
Pay of foreman, carpenters, and laborers - 84,586 41
Repair castings ... - 4,354 951
String timber, plank, ties, water pipes, &c. - - - - 3,299 74
50 tons RR. iron ------- 2,500 00
Total 814,741 101
Note.—The board directed the supervisor to furnish materials, and make all ne¬
cessary preparations to keep open and work the Portage road during the winter months.
The above amount of 814,741 101 was contracted for that purpose, and was not an¬
ticipated at the time the estimates for the year were presented to the board.
8
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR, &c.
Statement, No. 5,
Exhib its the Siqyervisor's account with the State Treasurer.
items.
Amount re¬
ceived.
Amount dis* i
bursed.
For ordinary repairs of fiscal year 1851 - - -
" extraordinary repairs after December 1, 1850 -
" ordinary repairs of 1849 -
" " " 1850 -
" amount balance, appropriated for extraordinary
repairs of planes in 1850 - - - -
" amount over-drawn -
$35,000 00
20,000 00
4,351 34
6,303 27
15,420 06
' 1,000 00
$44,976 611
12,674 031
4,351 34
6,303 27 '
15,420 06
$82,074 67
$83,725 32
Balance due Supervisor - $1,650 65
Statement, No. 6,
Exhibits an estimate of the probable expenditures for extraordinary repairs of year
1852.
For repairs at Johnstown boat-slip ----- $300 00
" on Johnstown level ----- 1,250 00
" at head of plane No. 1 - - - - - 200 00
" large viaduct ------ 325 00
" on long level ------ 950 00
" on level between planes No. 2 and 3 - - 200 00
» " " 3 " 4 - - 350 00
« » " 4 " 5 - - 650 00
« " " 5 " 6 350 00
« " " 7 " 8 - 200 00
« « " 8 " 9 250 00
» « « 9 " 10 - - 450 00
" on Hollidaysburg level ----- 650 00
" at Hollidaysburg boat-slip - §50 00
For string timber, mud sills, ties, &c. .... 2,500 00
" repair castings ------- 2,500 00
" tools, smithing, hauling, &c. 300 00
Total -
$11,775 00