The daily phoenix. (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, May 03, 1872, Image 4
I
Report General Superintendent Greenville and Columbia Railroad, j
OFFICE GREENVILLE Airs C?L??IS?A RAILEO AD COMPANY,
itli U CJOLUMBIA, IjJ,. C?, Tftnupjcy 1?. J872? ?.1
JV; ?Ac President and Dimora J
of the Greenville arid Columbia Railroad. Company.
GENTLESIKN: ?Pleaso find report of tho business and operations 61
this road for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1871 :
EARNINGS.
Ironpasaengera.,.;..l.',a>..'.-1100,295 96
Prom freight.its',.,. 886,685,74
Prom express freight. ; Jv.:.\.. '.'. 6,892 Ol
Prom United State s malle.i........ 11,400 00
Prosa telegraph lino... f.................. 1,871 10
Totah. ... J^,....... ..1457,14480
The total ordinary ?nd extraordinary expense* for operat?
ing, repairs, woludl?g toas and, damage? occurring in
presiona yeaia, old olaimBk A?., wore as foUowc; , . ,
For conda6?Sg trsneportatloh.............?..J..$160,581 SC
For m.siotcnao.o?of m8ohloery.k...k........r..:. ?6,997 04
For general okpeneas Bureau Department....45,039 18
Ib.r'^atS fa?pfftyft'iii?tyoit Jett 1870. paid this year.v; .u 118,674-M;' .
.. ?'. Total.VI".A......|447i269 78 <...'.
Leis the foUowtt^brsW not properly J : / " ? ,
F?rlc?BVand'damagoa ooehrHpi itt previ- ? _ ,. ....
.vjin-'.-i! .; rroo .. *?p -?t .. r^'a'-a ; . "
' On: otwount of accident at Cedar Crock, , .
\jr^am^ 75
On ?eco ont ofrburst aad short cotton.... 12,493 86
On account of ahort and damaged freight 4,778 73
On account of atook killed by tra?na..- 619 00
$46,058 84 ' .
Less amounts reosived for damaged cotton
and goods sold and insurance. 4,922 64
, . -$40,180 70 i
For the payments made on account of pre?
vious years... 16,488 35
PST SSW ?roa rails, spikes and fastenings . 37,576 95
Less credit by old rails sold. 9,941 BO ^ ttj ?
-27,685 45
Total amount of extraordinary expenses,.$ 83,264 60
Total ordinary expenses for the year.... ..t.$864,016 28
Net earnings over expenses of operating and repairs.$93,129 62
Expenses 80 por cont, and net earnings 20 per oent. of gross earnings.
! after the cr?dite preriouoiy stated, the expensas fur tbs year are as follows:
For con due ting transportation. <. $110,032 15
For malntonanoo of way. 145,849 92
For m oint on anco of machinery. 62,897 64
For general exponaoo Bureau Department.......... 36,661 88?
For State and County taxes. .'.. 18,674 24
?jw 1 Total.....-...,.$864,015 28
BUSINESS OF THE BOAD.
Total eaxnlogejpr the year?f^......,..,$457.144 80
To tal o ar ninga -for the previous year WM. ; i j.",....,' i.. 1 ?i ). 439,341 68
Increase over previous year.. t 17,803 22
PASSHNGEB BUSINESS. ,
Earnings from passengers weotwardly or upward.. ......$ 60,158 22.
Earningo,frompafloongora eostwardly or down. . 50,187 78
Totalboth ways..^.u......f..6100,295 86
Earn inga for previous year up.$63,801 18
Eernhigo:ror previous year down ...-...j..?......*'68,691 07
.Totalbethwayi'.,.................i...............i$112,893 20
DeOT?a??tom previous year?...af 12,006 26
Thennm^M^Mggggars trtnsp?rted Was:
Z^J?SBLWS?BS^SS*^^''-. - 30,541
B?Way -67 530
^Bujr^SB^^' 28 850
MB^BBSSMB'^ .-53,868
'a^SsmBvRaNsWaas from previous year.- . 6,038
^Mfleoflsase in number of passengers upward was L861 Amount... .$ 8,642 91
iTndS?crc ase in dumber of paasong era down waa...?. 172 Amount- 8,453 84
Totals -....... i......'..:. .6,033 ' $ 12,096 25
Tbs dooroaes ia number of passengers and amount of revenue from same was
about 10 par cont, on the b usine BB of the previous year.
" TONNAGE.
The earnings from tonnage for the year was.-.$836,685 74
The earnings from tonnage for the previous year was. 808,690 66
j j \ "'. Increase over previous year.$ 27,995 19
Tho earnings from down freight for the year was.$169,600 42
The earnings from down freight for the previous year was. 122,192 62
Ino re aso over previous year.$ 87,407 68
The carn in g a from up freight for the year was.$177,085 82
The earnings from up freight for the previous year was. 180,497 93
Decrease from the previous year.. $ 9,412 61
SUMMARY.,
Increase from down freight.>...$ 37,407801
Increase from expresa.. 83 18
Baeelpts from telegraph line (none previous year). 1,871 10
Aggregate ip nr caa o.$ 89,812 03
Decrease from passengers: ;.$12,096 26
Docre?s? from up freight... :.. 9,412 61 ^
. . 21,608 86
: Hot inoroa??.......i.8 17,808 22
From tho'foregoing statement, it will be seen that while there
waa a decrease in earnings from passengers of IO per oent., and
xivt? upwt?" ?st?igu? vi p per beni., from that o? ibo previous year,
yet there was an increase of 31 per cent on the down or inward
freight*?. This ia te?Bodnf^d xdir by the increased quantity of cotton
brought down. ; ;
Numb of bale 3 cotton brought to Columbia daring the year. .88,032
Number bales cotton for previous y?ar. i. ......67,977
?ncroasq ?fver prfcvie?s* year I...'.... 20,055
The increase in the number of balee of cotton being nearly 80
per cent, on that of tho previous year.
It haa Hoi been customary to keep any account of the amount of
tonnage, (with the exception of the number of bolea of cotton,)
only aa exhibited by the revenue, from the same; consequently, no
comparison, in thia report, can be made with the' previous year.
Hereafter, an accurate account of all classes of tonnage will bo
kept ,c>.
Detailed" statemente of tho businoss will be found in tables at?
tached to thia report.
MAINTENANCE OF WAT.
After deducting amounts poid on account of previous years, and
for new ironaS&ls and fastenings for the same, not properly charge
able to the year's expense*, ibis account stands charged with $145,
829.92; equal to 42 per cent, of the total, exponaos for operating
and repairs, after deducting taxes paid; or, ai the rate of $894.66
per mile of main track, deluding tho amount paid for new rails?
the entire amount expended on maintenance of tray, during the
year, was equal to $1,064.82 per mile of main track.
. There were 401$ tona of T rails, weighing 50 pounds to the yard,
and 894 tons, of 57 pounds to the yard, laid during the year; mak?
ing a total of 441 tons.
There were 158,562 lineal feet of 7x8 string timber put down
under the chub and flange rail; equal to 15 miles of stringer track
renewed ; equ al to 789,956 fee| of lumber, board measure. 1,496,765
feet of lumber tras us od in renewal of trestle work and other wooden
atruotures; making a total of 2,286,721 feet of lumber used for
repairs and maintenance of way during the year, exclusive of cross
ties. ,
'Th?'fe worri 84,72,9 cross-ties put in the track; equal to a renewal]
of1 the ties for 38$ miles ?if track.
There were 51?000 pounds of spikes and 1,270 chairs used in
repairs, exclusive of those, need for putting down the new iron rails.
There aro at prosent on the main stem and the Abbeville and
Anderson branches 118 miles of track, exclusive of sidings, laid
with T rails on ?ross-ties, 41 miles of chub rail and nine miles of
flange rail on longitudinal stringers. The chub and flange rail has
been in use many, years, and is expensive to maintain and keep in
repair. To replace this and the defective and worn T rails now
necessary to be renewed, and put the track in good condition, so as
to operate the road with economy and safety, there would be re?
quired 60 miles of new iron rails, of 50 pounds to tho yard; say
4,700 tons, at present prices.$376,000 00
Spikes and fastenings. 47,000 00
Oroos-tioa and relaying. 40,000 00
Total.$463,000 00
Less net proceeds of old rails. 145,000 00
Leaving.$318,000 00
The bridge over Broad River, at Alston, bumed at the close of
the war, was substituted by a temporary truss bridge, which has
now been in use over six years, and must be replaced during the
present year by a permanent structure, which will cost $28,000.
To secure tho road against the disastrous damages by freshets,
such as occurred in the years 1852 and 1865, to that portion located
in tho valley of Broad River, it will be necessary to change the
location of some Jive or six miles of track between Columbia and
Alston. I have not had an instrumental examination made, but do
not think it safe to estimate tho cost at less than $30,000. This
would make the entire amount necessary to put the roadway and
track in an economic and safe working condition $376,000.
MAINTENANCE OF MACHINEItY.
The expenses of this department, after deducting old claims
charged to this account, were $52,897.64. This includes repairs to
locomotives and tenders, passenger, freight, stock and platform
cars, repairs of tools and machinery in shops, and the cost of thir?
teen new box, six new platform and two new caboose cars, built in
Company's shops, and two new freight and one new baggsgo and
mail car, purchased. A large number of new wheels and axles have
been put under freight, stock and platform cars, to replace those
worn out, and this class of rolling stock has been much improved
during the year.
LOCOMOTIVES.
The number of locomotives belonging to the Company is twenty.
Of these, B?X may be considered as condemned and unfit for service;
leaving fourteen as available for service. Of these, six are in good
order, seven in running order and in use, and ono in shops for
repairs With the exception of three new engines, placed upon tho
road in January, 1871, the other engines named as being in service
are small and of very limited power, and have been in use from
thirteen to twenty years; consequently, are expensive to keep in
repair; while each one is fully as costly to run as more effective
engines of modern construction, of greater power. At least three
new additional engines should bo purchased, to perform the trans?
portation of the road with proper economy.
The mileage of locomotives for the year was 246,580 miles run.
CABS.
The stock of cars at tho close of the year was as follows :
Passenger cars.12
Baggage cars._. -. 5
Total passenger and baggage cars. 17
Freight cars-Box.80
Stock.12
Platform.28
Conductor's caboose. ... 6
-126
Total of all descriptions.143
The stock of freight and platform carsrishpuld bo increased.
From the limited number of passenger and baggage cars, it has not
been practicable to keep them in aS good condition as is desirable,
P??t!/Mllii?lTn na ?Y*.JM4A?> nnriinil f\f t.VxOm <tl?A liri Vi O VI rt r ? )<Ann
wuviMUilj ??*? u**v> gkviiaiiw. w- HIBHi -- Vlf*$ -. -**(^ >^vw*?
many years in service. An addition of at least three new passen?
ger cars and two new baggage and mail cars should bo made to the
present stock on hand. This would give an opportunity to make
the necessary repairs and renewals to thoso now in use as required,
and maintain them in proper order.
TBAN8POUTATMN DEPARTMENT.
After deducting amounts paid during the year on account of and
incident to the operations of previous years, the amount of expenses,
under the head of "Conducting Transportation," properly belong?
ing to the year's operations, is $110,032.15. When that portion of
these amounts belonging to the year next preceding is added to the
amounts paid during that year, it shows a decrease in tho corres?
ponding items of which this account is composed, from the provious
year, of $55,646.25, deducting extraordinary damage occurring that
year, viz. : amount paid on account of damage at Cedar Creek, No?
vember 10,1870, there would still be $28,479.50 in favor of last year.
In one item of which this account is composed, viz. : lost and dam?
aged cotton and freights, tho amount for the previous year (after
being , credited with the sales of damaged goods, cotton, and insur?
ance realized on the same,) was.$12,964 45
For last year
2,949 25
Difference in favor of last year.$10,015 20
Lieaving $18,464.80 decrease in other items charged Tinder this head.
. As you are aware, I only assumed the duties of thia office on the
first day of February, 1871. On taking charge, I found the road?
way and track in very bad condition, the engines and cars, with the
exception of three new engines, which had been received only some
two or three weeks previous, also in very bad order, accidents to the
trains were almost of daily occurrence, by which the rolling stock
waa being constantly diminished, and a large accumulation of
freights waiting transportation at the various depots on the line of
road and branches. Vigorous measures were taken to put the track
and rolling stock in better condition, and to organize the working
force on a more economical and efficient basis. These improve?
ments were attended with good effects. Tho accumulation of
freights was soon removed, and the transportation offering has
since been done with promptness and regularity, and, when the
condition of the roadway and track are taken into consideration,
with remarkable exemption from serious accident.
No person, either employees or others, have met with the slight?
est personal injury during the year's operations.
The depots at most of the country stations are entirely too small
to accommodate tho present freight business of the road, and some
accommodations should be made for the comfort of passengers at
a number ol die stations. To make these very necessary improve?
ments, and putting the present buildings in thorough repair, would
require an outlay of probably $10,000.
GENERAI. REMARES.
I have endeavored to present a plain and practical exhibit of tho
operations of the road for the past year, and of the present physi?
cal condition of the properly of the Company, together with the
requirements necessary for its proper and economical operation in
the future. The estimates made of the amounts required is below
what might be expended under the respective heads with advantage
to the permanent interests of the property, and in np case are they
excessive. The following summary will show the aggregate, as
hereinbefore named, separately:
For permanent repairs and renewal of roadway, track
and bridges.$376,000 00
For permanent repairs and additions to depots, &c_ 10,000 00
For additional locomotives and cars required. 80,000 00
Total.u.$466,000 00
From close observation of the business, and taking into consider?
ation the prospective condition of the country through which your
road passes, and the various elements in connection with other hues
likely to be soon in operation, and by which its business may bo
affected, I think a gross revenue of from $400,000.00 to $450,000.00
! per annum may be relied upon, with the expenditure bf the amount
hereinbefore named as a permanent additional investment in its
property and rolling stock. I think it very safe to estimate that
the road can be operated for 60 per cent, of its gross earnings,
exclusive of taxes. This to include future renewals and repairs,
extraordinary casualties excepted. If, however,, the amount stated
as being necessary to place the roadway and rolling stock in eco?
nomic working order is not expended as soon as it can judiciously
be done, and derived from some other source than the earnings,
j and the road continued to be operated in its present condition,
? improvements and additions only being made as the means may be
j supplied by its revenue from transportation, the entire earnings of
j the road will necessarily be absorbed in this manner for some years
to come.
TKLEflBATO LINE.
Although a telegraph line has become to be considered as indis?
pensable to the proper working of any extensive line pfj?|0{&?$ no
telegraph wires had been put up along the line of ttt&MR^ttjFre
quent attempts had been made to induce the com^SS^h^h?ng the
telegraph lines in this State to establish a line on ?UJ? road, put had
failed, for the reason that they were of the opinion a lille would not
yield sufficient revenue to justify its construction and maintenance.
It was, therefore, determined to construct ono on the Company's
account. It was commenced last spring, and opened to Helena on
tho 5th day of July last, to Belton on the 15th, and to Greenville
on tho 1st of August. An office was established at Newberry for
paid business on the 15th of August
The branch line was opened to Abbeville on the 3d of October,
and to Anderson on tho 7th. From the results up to the end of
the fiscal year, I have little doubt but that the amount of revenue
which will ultimately be received from it will reimburse the addi?
tional expenses incurred for operation and maintenance of the Hue.
But even if no revenue was derived from it, the. facilities afforded
and the economy effected in transportation, by its means, would
amply compensate for the ontire additional expenses necessary to
operate and maintain it.
Experience has demonstrated, on other railroad lines in the coun?
try, that a single Une of rails, with the aid of a telegraph, line,'can
be made to perform almost as much transportation as a double line
of rails without its aid, and-with moro promptness and safety. t
rhe entire cost of construction of 'tho line, including the bat-1
teries and necessary instruments, up to the close of tko fiscal year,
was $14,146.12. There romained, at the close of t?e^#,'spme
accounts for poles, ?Seo., unpaid, which will moko the entirp .cost? in
round numbors, $15,,000.00 for 163 miles of hn?? 1 ThtYKaejis con?
structed in the best manner-poles 26 feet long, put 4 feet <3ebp in
tho ground. 2$( to 29 pqlea to the mile, according to location, No. 9
galvanised wire, with, insulators of 'tho most' approved kind. '
The advantage of having this important adjunct in the operation
of the road has been fully demonstrated in tte handling of the
increased amount of cotton transported during the latter portion of
the year, which could not have been done, with our limited amount
of rolling stock, with the promptness and efficiency with' which it
was performed, without the uso of the tdegraphy??ne. To this, in
alargo measure, I alad attribute the freedom from accident, as it
affords tho facuity of constant supervision of the movements of tho
trains, and the perfect enforcement of the regulations as to speed,
Ac. ; and from experience on this and other lines, I have no doubt
that to a certain extent the facilities afforded to tho merchants by a
telegraph line increases the business of the road.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
THOMAS DODAMEAD,
General Superintendent.