it would be found convenient to load it on other parts of the line. I have no doubt of the perfect practicability of reducing this inclination very much, but even in its present state it can present no serious obstacle, since it can rarely happen that the extraordinary load and most unfavorable situation of the road will occur at the same time. For if the load be found to be less than might be taken with the greatest advantage, it may always be increased along the line of the road by the travel, lumber and produce of the country.

'We may, therefore, calculate the power of the engine on the supposition that the gross weight to be raised is twentyfive tons, and the friction is destroyed by the descending load. We may suppose the velocity is twelve miles per hour, so that, if it should hereafter be found desirable to increase the loads, it may be done by changing the gearing so as to diminish the velocity of ascent, and augment the force of the machinery. Or, making due allowance for extra power, we may consider two engines of sixty horse-power sufficient for this plane. The probability is that this will be eventually found insufficient for the accommodation of the trade, and that it will be necessary to construct another plane to assist in overcoming this ridge. This will not be necessary, however, until the trade exceeds 400 tons per diem in each direction; when, and sooner, perhaps, a double track from the lake to the Hudson will have become indispensable.

"On a line of such great length it will be necessary to place extra locomotives at intervals along the route, to be employed in case of accident to those forming a part of the regular system, or to replace them whenever, from any cause, it be found requisite to withdraw one. At some of the positions where these engines of relief will be required, a machine shop will be established for the repair of disabled cars and locomotives, and at which the trains will generally halt for the convoy carriage to receive its supply of water and fuel. Let us suppose one of these establishments to be located at the village of Almond on the Caneadea, where the locomotive which had drawn the train up the valley of the Canisteo would begin to require assistance. Now, even were the line perfectly level, it would be necessary to have engines in waiting at certain points to relieve their predecessor and draw the load through the next stage; and we may place one at this station, as well as any other. Suppose, then, an engine of six tons weight arrives with a load of twenty-two tons at the end of this stage. My present remarks are intended to show the arrangement where the combination of difficulties is the greatest. In general, the train brought to this point by such an engine, need not be less than fifty tons. If there then be an engine of eight tons attached to it, the two together will be able to ascend a grade of seventy-two feet to the mile, without diminishing the load, and without any slipping of the wheels under the most unfavorable circumstances. On arriving at the summit, the lighter engine will be detached, and the other will be able to surmount unaided the steepest ascents that occur between this point and the village of Cuba. The distance from the village of Almond to this place, by the line of the railroad, is forty-five miles; and here I would propose establishing another station for changing the engines, and keeping power in reserve. At this point, the engine of

eight tons would be disengaged, and a lighter one substituted in its place. When the next train traveling from the west to the east arrives, it will have to commence at this place (Cuba), ascending a grade rising at the rate of fifty feet per mile. If the load do not exceed forty-five or fifty tons the heavy engine which is here attached would generally be able to carry it through; and, if it do not exceed twenty tons, it will still be able to accomplish the task, whatever be the situation of the rails. But should it be greater than these amounts, the engine which brought the train to the foot of the ascent must assist in raising it to the summit, and afterwards return to its place. This arrangement, I will repeat, does not involve us in any additional expense, excepting at those times when the condition of the road renders necessary the assistance of the second engine, for these stations and these engines of relief will be required whether such ascents are to be encountered or not. We only change their location in consequence of these impediments, from that which might, in the contrary event, be selected as preferable."

Before the railroad was built many changes were made in that original route, as will appear as this narrative progresses, but, although a railroad built. according to the plans and over the route provided in 1834 would have been one utterly impossible of practical utilization, that survey stands to-day a wonderful exhibit of genius in railroad engineering, and shows an originality of thought, and a peculiar application of scientific principles to a work then almost unknown to the engineering world-an application which established a precedent for all future engineering of that kind.

It is a matter to be deeply regretted that the maps and profiles of this survey, and the many plans for roadbed, superstructure, railroad machinery, etc., prepared and submitted with the reports, and which would be of inestimable historic value now, cannot be found in any of the public departments of the State of New York at Albany. There is no record of them after they were sent to the Legislature by Secretary of State Dix in January, 1835. This is also true of the Articles of Incorporation of the New York and Erie Railroad Company. This document is not in the office of the Secretary of State, where it should have been deposited, according to law, nor is there any record of its ever having been in that office.

CHAPTER V.

ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES GORE KING-1835 TO 1839.

I. MAKING A START: Eleazar Lord Resigns and is Succeeded by James Gore King- · State Aid Asked for Unsuccessfully - The Company Arouses to Action - Ground Broken for the Railroad and Contracts for Grading Let - First Official Report of the Company. II. TRYING TO KEEP GOING: Petition for Legislative Aid Renewed — Bitterly Opposed, but a Bill Authorizing $3,000,000 of State Stock Passed-Hailed with Rejoicing, but Proves to be a Hindrance rather than a Help - President King Appeals to his Friends — They are Enthusiastic in Efforts to Build the Railroad with Somebody Else's Money- Legislature Refuses Aid. III. CROSS PURPOSES: Eleazar Lord Appears with a Plan Why the Broad Gauge was Adopted — President King, Absent in Europe, Returns and Does not Indorse Lord's Plan - King's Policy is to Make the Railroad a State Work - A Bill for that Purpose Defeated by only One Vote President King Resigns.