REPORT OF THE PANAMA RAILROAD COMPANY. 4

In addition arrangements have been made for the transfer from the
Isthmian Canal Commission of 15 flat cars, at a cost of $1,016 each, to
be converted into stock cars.

Contracts have been entered into for the construction of 100 ballast
cars, at $1,560 each; 2 plow discharging cars, at $1,370 each, and 3
first-class and 10 second-class passenger cars and 4 combination bag-
gage and mail cars, at a cost of $121,584.

The ballast cars are required in connection with the double tracking
of the road and to assist in the disposal of the waste material from
canal work. ‘The passenger coaches are required, to add to those
already received on the Isthmus, to meet the increase in passenger
traffic due to canal operations.

The directors have established an ‘*‘Kquipment account” on the
books of the company, placing to the debit thereof the estimated value
of old railroad equipment on the Isthmus and cost of such new equip-
ment as has been or may be purchased from time to time, writing off
to ** Profit and loss account” the difference between the estimated value
of such old equipment and the cost, as shown by the company’s books.

Thus, notwithstanding the notable failure of equipment companies
to live up to their contracts , by which new heavy rolling stock ordered
has been and is being slowly received, the road at the present time is
fairly easy in the matter of equipment.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY AND STRUCTURES.

The track, bridges, and all structures have been maintained in first-
class condition, at an expenditure of $300, 979.29, an increase of
$142,642.10, or 90.9 per cent.

The relaying of new 70-pound steel rails on the main line has been
continued, thus replacing the light worn rails, frogs, switches, etc.,
for a total of 30 miles.

Old side tracks have been rebuilt of new material throughout, and
many new ones constructed.

In previous reports I have referred to the necessity for double track-
ing certain portions of the road in order to provide for the company’s
increasing traffic. ‘That work has progressed as rapidly as practicable,
and, because it was undertaken, in the main, for the benefit of canal
construction, arrangements have been made by which the Isthmian
Canal Commission assumes a large part of the outlay.

Of 35 miles of double tracking contemplated, that is—

 

Brom Gatun to Camacho <2) 22 en ee 29
Krom: Bedro Miguel to Ranama oi. ,.255 22. i ee 6
SGI ee 30
There have been completed and ready for use...-........-.-....--------.-- 8
acrracks laidcand: ready-tor ballast}: 25.058) ee ee ee Oat
Double track filled, nearly completed, but no tracks laid........-...- oe 11.13

Forty-two out of 62 main-line bridges have been strengthened | or en-—
tirely rebuilt to meet the requirements of new heavy equipment.

Twenty-one bridges were extended for double-track purposes to a
total leneth of 1,7274 linear feet.

One hundred and nineteen new culverts for double track, consisting
of pipe, concrete, and I-beam construction, of a total lenoth of 3,169
linear feet, have been installed.