Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-30
METAL ROAD TRACKS.
Steel Ties Gradually Displacing the
Old-Time Timber Affair
IN EUROPE AND SOUTH AMERICA.
The Westinghouse Matter May be Shortly
Brought to an End.
AoEsTRAL AGENCY FOE WINDOW GLASS

The Department of Agriculture has is
sued a report by E. E. Russell Trotman, OF
the Forestry Division, in which the relative
merits of metal and wooden railroad ties are
dealt with. The principal point of view
from which the metal track question is con-
sidered in the report is that which considers
it in relation to forest preservation and the
reduction of the consumption of timber. 1t
was with the view Of establishing interest in
the matter and drawing the attention of rail-
road managers to the question that the
author made an extended investigation into
the use of metal track roads over the world
The report contains summarized tabular
statement covering experience on nearly
$4,000 miles of railways in foreign countries
which are laid with metal alone. This
would be 1921 per cent of the total mileage
of the world, which. exclusive OF this coun-
try and Canada, is 1S7,721 miles. The
official returns from Germany, Switzerland
and India show that the results of expert
ence, extending over several years, have led
in several cases to the adoption of metal
track, and that this is becoming
THE STANDARD TRACK
in those countries. In Germany and India
steel crossties are practically the generally
adopted, although different forms of this
type are in use in the former country.
Cast iron is still extensively used in India.
In South America the metal ties used are
mainly composed Of pair Of cast iron cowls
connected by tie bar, but even there, steel
crossties are heing introduced. The weight
OF evidence and the results of experience
the author points out, points toward
the steel crossties as making the
best track and giving the best
results in other ways, for heavy service es-
pecially and are therefore destined to be-
come the standard tie for first class tracks.
As to the weight OF these ties it is considered
they should be from 120 to 150 pounds, ac-
cording to the conditions of the traffic.
The metal track has been proved to be
more economical in maintenance than track
on wooden ties. There was found to be
minimum of danger with a minimum of
track work for the running of trains; and
the overturning and spreading of rails were
found to occur less frequently with we'll
designed system of track.
ECONOMY OF STEEL TIES.
Steel ties should be introduced as an ad-
vancement In railway engineering, and as
step toward practical economy. Especially
is the metal track source of economy at
stations and yards where, when once laid,
there is less disturbance in repairs and in
chances of derailments
In relation to the cost of steel ties the
chief engineer of the New York Central
road calculates that if the steel ties now
being tried on that line last for 80 years
which he estimates as their life-there will
be an economy in renewals, re-
pairs and general maintenance of
from to II per cent in their favor
The percentage of use of steel ties is increas-
ing every year, both in relaying large sec
tions OF track with them, and in replacing
steel for wooden ties as the latter give out.
As stated in former issue of The DIS
PATCH, railroad managers in this country
are giving this matter attention, and the
time may not be far ahead before steel ties
are substituted to large extent for the
present wooden ones. A small lot has been
already turned out by Carnegie, Phipps &
Co. for experimental purposes on Western
road, and their Manufacture will probably
in time add another item to Pittsburg's long
list of staple manufactures.