TABLE-Shewing the Yearly Income of sundry Roads.

SEVETNH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

DIRECTORS OF THE WESTERN RAIL-ROAD

CORPORATION

TO THE LEGISLATURE, JANUARY, 1843.

Ar the commencement of the last year, the whole line of road between Worcester and the Hudson river, had been so far completed, as to be opened for use, with the exception of about fifteen miles between the line of the State and Chatham, and the depot at Greenbush, with the track immediately adjoining it. At that time, under a lease from the Hudson company, the corresponding part of their road was used by this company, and this, with a temporary depot at Greenbush, had enabled them to establish and maintain regular daily trains throughout the whole line. This unfinished part of the Albany and West Stockbridge road was then grading, and the undersigned have pleasure in stating, that it was opened for use on the 12th of September last.

The permanent depot at Greenbush has been so far completed, as to be occupied for the passenger trains, and a communication has been established between that point and the Albany shore, by means of an efficient and commodious steam ferry-boat, owned by the company.

The merchandize depot house, and one or two other buildings at the Greenbush station, are yet unfinished, but the work is well advanced; and these will be ready for occupancy on the opening of the spring business.

During the year, new depots have been established at Russell, on the Western road, and at Canaan and East Chatham on the new part of the Albany road; and the buildings are now erected at all the interior stations.

The extended business of the road proved the depot accommodations

so greatly inadequate, that the directors have been obliged to make large additions at some of the stations. At the Springfield station about 3 3-4 acres of land have been purchased during the year, and about 1 5.8 miles of depot and turnout tracks laid down. An addition has been made to the passenger house, containing a spacious refreshment room; and a new repair-shop is now erecting. An additional freighthouse has been erected at Westfield, connected with the business on the New Haven and Northampton canal; and one for the increasing business at Chester Village. The economy of covering the wood was so apparent, that large additions have been made for this object, in many parts of the line, and still further expenditures for this purpose are deemed necessary. A new turnout track has also been laid down at Middlefield, for the safety and accommodation of the trains in passing the mountain division, and for the reception of wood at that point.

The business at the State line station, especially as connected with the Hudson and Housatonic Roads, will require a freight-house, and perhaps other erections at that point, during the present year.

The pressure of the opening business at Greenbush very early satisfied the officers of the company, that the original estimates for the lands, buildings, and other accommodations at that station, were greatly inadequate; and it has been deemed necessary to increase them by large additions in every department. The provision there is now believed to be sufficient for any amount of business which is likely to offer for many years. The freight-house-directly upon the Hudson river—is 420 feet by 90, and it has, on one of its longest sides, a navigable canal, which extends to a creek in the rear, separating it from the main land. Over this creek is a bridge, with a span of 202 feet, having on it two rail-road tracks, and one passage for common carriages. A direct and cheap intercourse is thus provided, with the canal and river craft, for any extent of business which can be anticipated from these sources, while, at the same time, the whole is as easily ac cessable to the business of Albany, as a commodious ferry, against the centre of the city, can render it, and with the business east of the river by means of the bridge.

The Troy and Greenbush Rail-road, now in construction and to be opened the present year, has its southern termination on the east margin of the creek and at the eastern extremity of the bridge; thus giving to the business of Troy, and that which concentrates there from the north and west, the greatest possible facilities for communication with both our passenger and merchandize depots. The spacious docks, fronting

on the river, give ample accommodations for the passenger and merchandize steamboats plying between New York and Albany and Troy. Should an increase of business from these or any other sources, at any future time recommend it, extensive wharves and buildings may be constructed on land of the company, upon the margin of the creek, easily accessible for boats on the one side, and by trains of cars on the other. This location will be admirably adapted to the trade in coal, iron, lumber, plaster, and other heavy articles, not requiring storage in the principal freight-house; and the land has been graded above high water, in reference to these objects. The total length of dockage on the river, canal and creek, now and prospectively, accessible for river and canal craft, is about 1600 feet.

Notwithstanding the very large provision originally made for engines and cars, the estimate for which had already been considerably exceeded, the supply of both, unexpectedly proved insufficient during the pressure of the produce business from the Erie Canal the past season.

The estimate for these items, made, however, without any certain data or experience upon which to base it, was $450,000,-and there were, during the season, equal to 500 four-wheeled cars of this company, and 200 or more belonging to the Worcester Company, engaged in the business between Boston and Albany. But, for two or three months, many more cars might have been used to great advantage.

If the supply could always be distributed where wanted, a less number might be sufficient. But it often happens, that, when needed at one end, or on one portion of the line, they have necessarily just been accumulated elsewhere. This often occasions the necessity of hastily returning the cars empty; thereby materially increasing the expenses of transportation. The great excess of merchandize going East has much enhanced this difficulty the past year. It is, however, proper to add, that a temporary inconvenience in this respect has been caused by the want of accommodations at the Greenbush depot, which required merchandize to be forwarded as soon as received, and that the provisions at the new depot will, the present year, obviate the inconvenience thus far.

True economy however, requires that the equipment both of cars and engines should be ample. And an order has now been given to increase the joint-stock of merchandize cars of both companies to a number, at least equal to 1000 short or 4 wheeled cars the whole to be with 8 wheels. Of these, about 80 eight-wheeled cars are to be provided by this company.