GREEN POND, WALTERBORO AND BRANCHVILLE RAILROAD. Is kept in good shape. It has recently changed hands, and it is understood will be extended at an early date. EUTAWVILLE RAILROAD. During the past year some much-needed improvements have been made on this road, and the betterments are being continued. It is expected that by 1st January, 1890, the road will be opened through to Sumter. CHARLESTON AND SAVANNAH Railway. This road is in very excellent condition. During the past year the work of laying 60 lb. steel rail has progressed, and now only nine (9) miles of the 50 lb. rail with which this road was laid remains. All the trestles with exception of Savannah River have been built with heavy floor system, and it is contemplated during the coming year to fill up as much of the Savannah River trestle as is practicable. The Sea Island Branch has been relaid with 50 lb. steel rail, and is in good order. Depot accommodations are ample, and stations generally are clean and remarkably well kept. ASHLEY RIVER RAILROAD. Operated by Charleston and Savannah Railway; in excellent order. PORT ROYAL AND AUGUSTA RAILWAY. During the past year a considerable amount of work has been done on this road, and it is now in better condition than for many years past. A number of the trestles have been newly piled and a great deal of heavy steel rail laid. Depot accommodations are generally sufficient for the needs of the public. PORT ROYAL AND WESTERN CAROLINA RAILWAY. Main Line from Savannah River to Spartanburg. That portion from Savannah River to Greenwood needs new rail in many places. The iron with which this road was built is getting badly worn and laminated; from Greenwood to Spartanburg is in better order. good many of the trestles on this line need repairs to put them in first-class order, although it is due to this corporation to state that considerable repairs have been made during past year. The Anderson Branch suffered at Little River from high water, a large portion of the trestling having been washed away. It has been temporarily replaced, and will be rebuilt at an early day. The Greenville Branch is in excellent order throughout. All stations and depot accommodations of this system are in good order, and ample for the needs of the traffic over it. GEORGIA, CAROLINA AND NORTHERN RAILWAY. As indicated in last year's Report, this road was finished to Chester in November, 1888. The mode of construction alluded to in 1888 has been continued, and the road as far as operated is a very superior one. Work has recently been renewed upon this line, and it is expected that before next year's Report it will have been extended a good many miles across the State. Stations are ample for accommodation of freight and passengers. THE GEORGETOWN AND WESTERN RAILROAD. Was examined by the Commission May 25th and 27th, 1889, going to and returning from Georgetown on the regular train. The alignment is good. There are some rough places consequent on the protracted wet season last winter. But the road is being improved by ditching, widening the road-bed, replacing defective cross ties with new ones, and surfacing the track. The deepening of the Georgetown bar will lead to increased improvements and contribute largely to the development of the country between Georgetown and Lane's. Two additional engines have been added to the motive power of the road since the last inspection. The station honses seem to be adequate to the wants of traffic, freight and passenger. WILSON AND SUMMERTON RAILROAD. A new road, running from Wilson, a point on the Central Railroad of South Carolina, to Summerton, 15 miles. It is constructed of second-hand iron, fish bar, and chair rails, and is sufficiently well built to meet the demands of present traffic. It opens up a section which should be a valuable feeder to the Atlantic Coast Line system. WILMINGTON, CHADBOURN AND CONWAY RAILROAD. Since last Report, one mile of 56 lb. steel rail has been laid on the Conway end of this road. It is all in good order, and amply sufficient for its present traffic. BISHOPVILLE RAILROAD. There is no change to report in condition of this road. It is kept in good working order for amount of business done. CAPE FEAR AND YADKIN VALLEY RAILROAD. This road is kept up in good condition, and accommodations are sufficient for the needs of the public. PALMETTO RAILROAD. This road continues to improve, and is now in fine order. BLACKVILLE, ALSTON AND NEWBERRY RAILROAD. This road is kept up in excellent order; stations are ample for the volume of business, and road bed having had time to settle, is getting in fine condition. BARNWELL RAILWAY. This road has been much improved since last Report. Three and a half miles of 56 lb. steel rail has been laid, and the old rail on the remainder of the road is in good order. The trestles have been filled as far as practicable. Depots sufficient for accommodation of the traffic. CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND GAP AND CHICAGO RAILWAY. On the 12th of June, 1889, the Commission made a careful examination of the Carolina, Cumberland Gap and Chicago Railway, and were gratified to find it had very much improved, and as a whole is now in very fair condition. It is to be regretted that the original very faulty construction of this road will to a great extent render it impossible for a long period of time to make the track a first-class one, notwithstanding the fact that a large proportion of the material is of superior quality. It was observed that the piles both at Croft and Bausket trestles were sinking, rendering it necessary to re-pile these two structures. This, we understand, will be done at an early date. Many of the angle plates are misfits, making it a matter of impracticability to insert the necessary number of bolts. This should be remedied. In some places the ties are too far apart. Additional ties should be put in at an early date to preserve the rails. Considerable ditching is necessary in the cuts, and some cuts need widening. At several points the embankments need filling to grade and widening. Pace's Branch trestle is in better condition, but the ties are too far apart, and heavy diagonal longitudinal bracing should be put in at once. At all of the trestles the abutments of the stringers are not sufficiently heavy. Edgefield trestle needs bracing and additional stringers at the points where the bents are skewed for the County road passing under same. Some surfacing and considerable ballasting still remain to be done, particularly between Trenton and Edgefield. These suggestions are made with the view of getting this road in good condition for the fall traffic. The Commission take pleasure in reporting a continuance of courtesy and consideration in their intercourse with all the railroad officials of the State. |