Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-16
HOW TO GET RID OF DUST.
SaturatfOn of Railway Ballast with
Oil.
baltimore American.)


The application of oil on the lines of
the Pennsylvania railroad as corrective
of the dust clouds that sometimes make
railroad travel unpleasant has been brief
ly mentioned in the American, and, as a
result, has attracted much attention.
At the request of the American for
description Of the methods of distributing
the oil, Mr.. j. II. Hutchinson. the gene
raj manager of the Philadelphia, Whining
ton and Baltimore railroad, has had
prepared for use in the American the fol-
lowing:
The invention, which is patented by the
assistant engineer of the company, Mr..
James III. Nichol, consists of the applica-
ton of heavy oil Of low cost, the pro-
duct of petroleum distillation. This oil.
being applied 10 the surface OF the track
and roadbed, including the sides OF
slopes in cuts, fastens the loose particles
of the surface together, and prevents
them being lifted by the rush or air
caused by the train.
From a railroad point of view, this new
invention is of considerable interest. The
subject OF lettering appliances and con-
ditions on railroads is one which Is re-
ceiving the constant attention OF the Of
ficials, and the perfecting OF immediate
has been given special thought and study
for number OF years. Probably from
the first building OF railroads gravel,
such as is found along the lines OF the
roads, has been used for ballast, and. II
of proper nature, porous and free from
clay or loan, so as not 10 retain water,
is one of the best substances yet used.
Track laid on such foundation ~
elastic, therefore making riding In cars
comfortable as compared with the more
rigid stone ballast. This same elastici-
t. Is a benefit 10 the ties. and particu-
larly TO the rails; the latter, when placed
on rigid support. being In the position
of piece of metal between an anvil and
a hammer, the hammer being the moving
train.
Track laid on gravel ballast Is more
quickly and cheaply repaired than when
on stone, the cost for ordinary main
tenancej and for labor in renewal of ties
being about one-half.
The principal reason for the discard
Ing OF gravel ballast on many railroads
has been the discomfort TO passengers
arising from dust. AS substitutes Yari-
Gus materials have been used, such as
cinder from anthracite and bituminous
coal. burnt clay. crushed stone, etc. Each
of these substances has some dust con-
nected with its use, stone having the
least. Cnder ballast is thought by some
TO affect injuriously the life Of the cross
ties, rottlng the wood with which 1t
comes In contact. Stone ballast. when
first applied. and after being washed by
rains, is clean and free from dust, until
such times as it becomes filed with ma
terial, largely clnders. thrown from the
stacks of freight trains, and in this con-
dition requires TO be forked out and
cleaned at large expense; the tampins
OF the ties, to obtain and preserve a level
surface of the rails, results In the stone
being crushed under the ties. and. II OF
a limestone character, condition re-
sembling a cement trough is formed
under each crosstle, which catches and
retains rainwater. causing the tie TO
decay.
Cinder ballast, after being newly APP
piled, requires several transforms 10 WASH
IL free from dust and then IL Is reason
ably clean until the work OF surfacing
Of track or renewing the crosstles stirs
up the cinders from below the surface
and exposes a new layer Of dust After
q few years use cInder becomes pulve
rized by repeated tampings, and Is then
a more Objectionable dust than from
gravel, being dark In color. Experience
shows that the oil produces equally good
results with cinder az with gravel or
sand.
THE NEW METHOD.
The method inaugurated by the West
Jersey and Seashore Railroad Company
has several features Of lesser Importance
than the one first cited--viz., the reduce
ton Of wear and tear on moving ma
chinery, because of the absence Of dust.
fewer hot boxes. &c, the preservation OF
crossties. The ties themselves being cover
ed with oil as we'll as the adjacent sur
face. rainwater is prevented from pene-
trating below the surface of ballast This
has been demonstrated. Rainwater fall
ing on untreated track II taken In and
absorbed, while that falling on the treat
ed track collects in puddies and runs
OF into the bitches alongside. The water
being prevented wholly or In part from
getting under the crossties. less track
labor will be required to maintain the
surface. The growth Of vegetation In
the ballast Is prevented.
Returning to the subject Of gravel bal
last. there has not yet been found sub