Any saving beyond this is pure gain.
F.
EFFECT OF GRADES ON THE COST OF WORKING RAILROADS.
The cost of working a railroad will be increased by augmenting the steepness of grades. First, because of the mechanical effect of the inclines; second, on account of decreased capacity of the road. The cost of maintaining and working a road consists of items, a few of which are functions of grades and many which are not. The chief items which are affected by grades are, fuel consumption, first cost of locomotives, and perhaps wear of rails, where grades are so steep as to require sand ascending, and application of brakes descending, the rails will be somewhat more worn. When not so steep as this the repair of superstructure will not be much increased. Steeper inclines involve the use of heavier engines, or more of them. Heavy engines generally have no more weight on one pair of wheels, and often not so much, as lighter ones; and though there is more abrasive power on increased total rolling weight, there is less deflection of rails, by means of less concentrated loads. It would seem, therefore, that the effect of grades upon the wear of superstructure was but little, if not inconsiderable. The first cost of engines may be increased from $1,000 to $2,500 to enable them to work steep grades. If the wheels are the same size in both engines, we should require greater steam pressure, consequently (see Chapter XIV.) more fuel; and if the steam power was the same, smaller wheels or larger cylinders, also requiring (Chapter XIV.) more fuel.
In doubling the work done by the engine we by no means double the amount of fuel consumed, (see Chapter XIV.,) but increase it by about ninety per cent.
The division of expenses upon five of the largest English railroads was for a certain time as follows:—
| Salaries | $6.83 |
| Way and works | 15.76 |
| Locomotives | 35.15 |
| Cars | 38.14 |
| Sundries | 3.69 |
| $100.00 | |
| Percentage for engines | 35.00 |
Upon the roads of Belgium,
| Salaries | $5.47 |
| Way and works | 26.62 |
| Locomotives | 49.96 |
| Cars | 14.80 |
| Sundries | 3.15 |
| $100.00 | |
| Locomotive percentage | 50.00 |
Upon the railroads of New York State (2,200 miles) (State Engineer’s Report, 1854),
| Salaries | $10.00 |
| Way and works | 15.00 |
| Locomotives | 40.00 |
| Cars | 20.00 |
| Sundries | 15.00 |
| $100.00 | |
| Locomotive percentage | 40.00 |