Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-16

ID FORTIFICATlONS.
gle track treated on the West Jersey and
Seashore railroad. The Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore railroad has
building a sprinkling car for extended
use, and beginnings have been made IN
the use Of oil by the Philadelphia Diyl-
sion, Middle Division, and PittsburS Diyl-
sion of the Pennsylvania railroad. also.
by the Amboy Division Of the same COM
pany, and on the T., W. and b. near
Baltimore.
On the West Jersey and Seashore rail-
road. which was the first 10 adopt the
method, three months exposure OF track
treated once shows a penetration in graz
vel ballast Of three TO four inches. being
greatest where the gravel has least clay
or loan In its composition. Walking ON
this ballast colors the sole Of the sno,
with oil; the ballast Itself Is not picked
UP on the shoe, but Is pressed into me
ballast beneath, a slight impression being
made by the foot When trains pass
at speed no dust whatever Is Nttod-tha
track is not only practically dusuess' plt
IS absolutely so. The oil has pentud.tl
the cross-ties from one eighth 20 one hat
inch. according 10 the closeness 81 ths
grain Of the wood; all OF the ties are or
oak.
At n number OF places track surfacng
has been done after the application or
the oil without creating dust there
having been a sufficient amount OF bal
last impregnated TO prevent dust ibis
summers experience has demonstrated
that one application will last AT least one
season. and indefinitely thereafter, Or
until ballast Is broken up by renewals OF
crosstIes. IL Is confidently expected mat
two. or not more than three, applications
will suffice for years, the ballast wiii u
impregnated to and below the bottom o.
the crosstles. and renewals Of the aVef
will not cause dust 10 be turned up 10
certain localities, such as rOad-crossnsS
switches, the vicinity Of stations &C.
the oil can be applied, when necessary
by hand, using a watering-pot Win
specially shaped outlet.
The oil used is non-combustible ana hai
but little odor-not OF an offensive hllls
when first applied. and on exposure io'
a few days the odor is lost. The Oh "
the ballast is long-lived, It does not sa'
ponify, and In three months gives no eyi'
dence Of emulsifying; IL Is tenacious ~
well as penetrating.
THE PATENT.
The patent has issued for an improve
ment OF railway roadbeds. The ordinary
IQduutus Dtlilb hhNNlf - "A''f't"t+
improved roadbed has a coating or sur
face mat OF cohesive material, dlstie13
in itself, which keeps down the dust ue.
meath. and also catches and absoros Gust
blown onto il from alongside. Compet'ns
counsel has advised that the patent
covers the use OF any liquid, tAo'P'
water, for the purpose.
For distributing the oil an oflinaV
fat car Is fitted with one fixed PIPE -
tending the length OF the orosstles' an"
two swing pipes-one Or each aiN'
which. when extended, will reach TWO or
more feet up the sides Of slopes IN GUS
each pipe is controlled by a gate-Eaif'
worked by a lever. supply pipe -
tends the length OF tho car, and a iuDD,l
hose connects with the f-ineh ouuee =.
the ordinary tank-caF loeohou'-
engine moves both cars ana iufhs"
steam or compressed air TO AID IN ejo
ing the oil when thlckened ny e'
weather The fiat-car has box TOT 49,.
extra parts, &C., and is partly eoFei''
with an awning 10 protect inc III
The sprinkling pipes are shu.v
for the oil TO escape. The sprink'
ling-car Is furnished with shleiHs'
which cover and protect the rails tfoa
any oil which might drop OF be spiasne'
onto them. One end OF the supply piS
on sprinkling car is fitted with connecuon
for three or more lengths OF hose ea.s
terminating I'm a valve and spreadeI' ~
use by hand IN covering sides OF slof.s
and cuts. The equipment OF fiat car
costs about 500. The patent on ".
apparatus is applied for. In practee
has not been found necessary 10 e4-r
car with pipes and hose for steam ~ "
compressed air: the oil flows by gran"
in a satisfactory manner without So
aid.
The quantity OF oil used Is 1000 gal''s'
per mile. Ordinary commerclal '@n
cars holding 6.o0o gallons each are g. or,
tributed at sidings about three ~n
apart. and are picked up az needea ~
empty cars being left. The speed 81 ~
train at work Is about four niles ~
hour.