The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-01-21
Steel Roadways a Success.

Steel Roadways a Success.
For the first time there has been car
ried into practical operation plan for
the improvement of public roads that
has heretofore been regarded merely
as an interesting theory that would
never rise to the region Of fact. The
plan is to lay steel tracks along our
roads SO that the wheels of wagons
may run on a smooth surface instead
of on the rough and soggy path, over
which for the greater part Of the year
horses are compelled to founder drag
ging heavy loads. The results of one
series of experiments, made by Mr.
Abel Bliss, of New LenoX, ILL.,, are in
teresting, as will be seen from the fol
lowing signed statement of Mr.. Bliss,
written for the Cincinnati Enquirer:
81 have laid about 100 feet of steel
road in the public highway near my
home at New Lenox, Ill. The road was
first graded in proper shape. The rails
are of steel, one quarter of an inch
thick, eight inches wide, with down
ward fange of three inches on either
side, and nupward dange of one inch
on the outer edge to keep the wheels
on. These rails were laid on the crown
of the grade and pressed into the soil
to the depth of the fiange, or until the
soil supported the rail- The downward
f1anges prevent the soil from being
pressed away from the rail, and hold
it there, making a firm foundation. SO
that no ties are necessary on which to
ThaSn rolls made
continuous by the fastening of the ends
together with fish plates.
when 1 mentioned my idea of this
roadway, it was suggested that the
rails would sink under heavy loads in
wet weather, and soon become COW
cred with mud. Others suggested that
they would tip to one side, becoming
useless, and also that unless they were
laid on ties they would spread and get
out of line. This track was laid to
satisfy myself on these and other
points. During a wet period mud holes
were made at the ends Of the track
by the wheels dropping always in the
same place. This very severe test,
however, did not affect the rails except
at the end. On continuous line OF
track severe and uncommon usage
would not in any way have injured or
changed the rails, hence l should not
expect this roadway would need any
repairs after wet period. The earth
between the rails is removed to depth
of five inches and the excavation filled
with gravel for the horses tread. This
road has now been in use for Is
months, and has been tested with all
kinds of traffic, including traction en-
gines. / have never seen horse slip
on the rails, but they might occasional
ly do so. A horse is most likely to slip
when pulling hard, which he will not
be obliged to do on this road, and there
is little occasion for a horse to tread
on the rails, as there is room enough
between them.
"a mile of road requires about 60
tons of steel, which can be produced in
quantities for 81 500 or less. One cubic
yard of gravel is required to the rod.
"For this roadway make the fol-
lowing claims:
81. It saves power. A vehicle may
run on it with the least possible draft.
1t is estimated by engineers that the
required draft is one fifth of that on
gravel and one twentieth of that on the
average dirt road.
so. 1t saves wear and tear to wagons.
A vehicle is always on level, smooth
surface, and is not subjected to irregu-
lar strains, as when one side of it is
much lower than the other, causing
+,-o 1-booJc to oarru most of tho load
or when a wheel drops into rut. A
town will save enough in vehicles alone
to pay large portion of the cost of the
road.
"3. It saves time. With a load of two
or three tons a team will trot as easily
on level ground as it will walk on a
gravel or dirt. road.
81 1t is a perfect bicycle road, and
will be greatly appreciated by wheel
men.
"5. It is extremely durable and the
repairs will be nominal.
Sc. The dust which is SO annoying
| on gravel or dirt road is caused large
Iy by the grinding of the wheels. On
| this road there can be no such grind
ing.
~. 1t is a motor cycle road, and a
speed of 20 miles an hour can be OBJ
tained with safety.
'In conclusion, the universal use OF
this road will increase the value of the
farm; twill beautify the street, be
cause when we cease to rut the road
grass will take the place of weeds. II
will make possible the free delivery OF
mail in rural districts by bicycle OF
other swift vehicle. Travelling will be
as safe at night as in the day. because
the team will keep the road.
ABEL BLISS"