PRESIDENT PHILADELPHIA AND READING RAILROAD COMPANY. Sir:-I respectfully submit the following Report, and its accompanying Statements, of the business and operations of the Road, for the year ending November 30, 1859. TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Has increased $31,756 33 over the expenses of last year, caused by the transportation of 90,286 tons more coal, 146,880 tons more merchandise, and 93,755 more passengers, than in 1858. The whole cost of operating the "Chester Valley" Railroad for eleven months, and of the "Lebanon Valley Branch" Railroad for four months, is also included in the expenses detailed in the following statements. If due allowance be made for these additional services, as exhibited by the increased revenue of the past year, it will be found that a decided economy has been secured in the expenses, compared with either the preceding, or any former year. The transportation of coal and merchandise has been reduced to 23.02 and 47.6 cents per ton respectively, the lowest rates hitherto attained. The transportation of each through passenger has cost 22.6 cents more than last year, caused by the additional service performed by this department in 1859, on the "Chester Valley" Railroad, a second train on the "Lebanon Valley" Branch, and the running of the "Reading Accommodation" Train for a period of ten months more than in 1858. The passenger train between Port Clinton and Reading, connecting the early train from the "Catawissa" Railroad with the "Reading Accommodation" Train, has also contributed to this increased expense. It is expected that these additional trains, so materially improving the convenience and travelling facilities of the public, will next year prove more remunerative. Although the miles ran, tons hauled, and general duties performed by the locomotive engines have increased since last year, their expenses of repairs have been only $1844, or about one per cent. greater. One first class engine, the "Phoenix," has been built entirely new, in place of the "Perkiomen," unfit for service; two others have been furnished with new boilers, and four more partially rebuilt; the cost of all these improvements being contained in "Repairs of Engines," "Statement F." The car force of the Road has been improved by the rebuilding of 97 freight and 3 passenger cars; one of the latter having been also widened, is now in use on the "Lebanon Valley Branch" Railroad. All these expenses are included in "Statement G." In October last, the transportation of Broad Top bituminous coal was commenced, over the "Lebanon Valley Railroad," from Harrisburg to Richmond, and other points on the main road and its branches. Up to this time, a business of about 150 tons per day of this coal has been passed over the road with convenience and regularity. Some detention of our cars west of Harrisburg occurred at first, which is gradually being remedied, and it is hoped will soon be entirely removed. A reference to "Statement R." will exhibit a satisfactory improvement in the trade and receipts of the "Lebanon Valley Branch." During the past year, it has contributed 231,326 tons of freight, 103,144 passengers, and $340,996 38 of revenue, to the business of the whole road, during a period of unusual commercial depression. I beg to call your attention to the marked increase in the staple products of the various sections traversed by the main road and its branches and connections, compared with the preceding year. The iron transported has increased from 31,493 to 87,687 tons; iron ore, from 26,330 to 47,377 tons; flour, from 116,908 to 151,951 barrels; grain, from 14,109 to 21,038 tons; and lumber, from 21,774 to 32,157 tons. The anticipations expressed in my last Report have been fully realized, of the continuance of favorable results in the economy of operating the road, and in the rapid decrease of accidents, and wear and tear of its rolling stock. In no former year has its varied business been conducted with as much regularity and economy, and it is confidently believed, with equal satisfaction to the public. Our efforts shall continue to be devoted to the securing of similar results, or better where practicable, during the ensuing year. |