Railroad Map Survey Nomenclature

From: "Sprinkler Service & Supply" sssprinkler1@earthlink.net

We are trying to understand some of the nomemclature used on the SVRR Extension Folsom to Maryville Map, 1857. The railroad bed bends are noted by an angle measurement with a degree at the apex and numbers at the ends of the radii such as 429+60 and 432+10. Obviously these notes refer to the degree bend in road bed, radius and length. However, we are not educated in how to read the surveying notations. We would like to plot the line against present day street maps. ...

Kevin Knauss
Sprinkler Service & Supply, Inc.
Carmichael, CA

Snowsheds and bridges

From: "McGuire, Margit" MMCGUIRE@seattleu.edu

How many snowsheds were built through the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the time the railroad was built?

How many bridges/trestles were built through the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the time the railroad was built?

Margit E. McGuire, PhD
College of Education
Seattle University

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Diagrams courtesy of Kyle Wyatt (see below):