Chapter I: Preface

The object of this work is to give in the plainest possible manner all instructions, rules, and tables necessary for the location, construction, equipment, and management of railroads.

As a general thing, American engineers are not educated for their business; and when they do possess a knowledge of pure science, they are at a loss how to apply it.

The reader is presumed acquainted with the elements of arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and mechanics: being thus provided, he will, by a perusal of what follows, be enabled to correctly proportion bridges, of wood, stone, and iron: abutments, piers, retaining walls, superstructure, and locomotive engines; and to plan and lay out, execute, and estimate any description of work occurring upon railroads.

As the object has been more to be useful than original, the best engineering writers and experimenters have been consulted; among whom are,—Gauthey, Navier, Vieat, Tredgold, Barlow, Totten, Fairbairn, Hodgkinson, Clark, and Lardner. Also a great number of reports by American civil engineers upon railroad matters.

If assumptions take the place of demonstration, it will be on good authority. Readers will bear in mind that the work is a “handbook,” and not a “treatise.” It is intended more as an office companion than as a text-book for students. It will give in all cases the actual numerical result needed, whether it be the scantling of a bridge chord, the thickness of a wall, or the dimensions of a locomotive boiler.

In connection, it will be found convenient to use the works of Trautwine and Henck, on Field Work: of Lieutenant Smith, on Topography; Davies, on Surveying; and Gurley, on the Use of Instruments.

Any one wishing a complete treatise on the principles of bridge construction is referred to the excellent work of Hermann Haupt.

I take this opportunity of heartily thanking the engineers who in many ways have aided in making the work, as it is believed, of some worth.

G. L. V.

GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page

INTRODUCTION 1

CHAPTER I.— RECONNOISSANCE 12

II.— SURVEY 24

III.— LOCATION 41

IV.— PRELIMINARY OPERATIONS 55

V.— LAYING OUT WORK 89

VI.— EARTHWORK 97

VII.— ROCKWORK 115

VIII.— WOODEN BRIDGING 122

IX.— IRON BRIDGING 192

X.— STONE BRIDGING 233

XI.— MASONRY 248

XII.— FOUNDATIONS 261

XIII.— SUPERSTRUCTURE 272

XIV.— EQUIPMENT 302

XV.— STATIONS 403

XVI.— MANAGEMENT 413

APPENDIX 459

ANALYTICAL INDEX.

INTRODUCTION.

PAGE

Rise and progress of railroads 1
Influence of railroads 3
Safety of railroad travelling 5
Preliminary operations 5
Mechanical principles of locomotion 6
Determination of character of road 7
Gauge 8
General establishment of route 10

CHAPTER I.

RECONNOISSANCE.
General topography 12
Barometrical levelling 18

CHAPTER II.

SURVEY.

Topographical sketching 24
General establishment of grades 32
Equating for grades 34
Comparison of surveyed lines 39

CHAPTER III.

LOCATION.

Alignment 41
Final adjustment of grades 46
Comparison of located lines 47

CHAPTER IV.

PRELIMINARY OPERATIONS.

Specification 55
Contract 81
Solicit 84
Bid 85
Comparison of bids 87

CHAPTER V.

LAYING OUT WORK.

Slopes 89
Culverts 90
Masonry 91
Tunnels 95

CHAPTER VI.

EARTHWORK.

Form of railroad sections 97
Excavation and embankment 104
Transport of material 106
Average haul 106
Drainage 109
Method of conducting construction operations 111

CHAPTER VII.

ROCKWORK.

Rock excavation 115
Blasting and quarrying 115–117
Tunnelling 118