The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-16

steel road in the public highway near my
home, at I.enoX, Ill. The road was first
graded in proper shape. The rails are OF
inches wide, with a downward f1ange of
three inches on either side, and an up
ward fange of one inch on the outer edge,
laid on the crown of the grade, and pressed
into the soil to the depth of the hange, or
until the soil supported the rail- The
downward flanges prevent the soil from be-
ing pressed away from the rail and hold it
there making a firm foundation, so that no
ties are necessary on which to rest the
rails. These rails are mace continuous by
the fastening of the ends together with
tishplates.
when I mentioned my idea of this road
bed lit was suggested that the rails would
sink under heavy loads in wet weather and
soon become covered with mud. Others sng-
gested that they would tip to one side, be-
coming 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
the recent wet period mud holes were made
at the ends of the track by the wheels drop
ping always in the same place. This very
severe test, however, did not affect the rails,
except at the end. On a continuous line of
track severe and uncommon usage would not
in any way have injured or changed the
rails; hence 1 should not expect this road
way would need any repairs after wet
period. The earth between the rails is re-
excavation filed with gravel for the horses
tread. This road has now been in use
for eighteen months and has been test
ed with all kinds of traffic, including trac-
ton engines. / have never seen a horse slip
on the rails, but they might occasionally do
so. A horse is most likely to Slip when pull
ing hard. which they will not be obliged to
do on this roadway, and there is little occa-
sion for a horse to tread on the rails. as
there is room enough between them
"A mile of road requires about sixty tons
Of Steel which can be produced in guam
titles for $3.50 or less. One cubic yard of
gravel is required to the rod For this road
/ following
''First-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.
"Second-It saves wear and tear to wag-
ons. A vehicle is always on q level, smooth
surface and is not subjected to irregular
strains as when one side of IT is much lower
than the other. causing two wheels to carry
most of the 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
"Third-It saves time. With load of
two or three tons a team will trot as easily
on level ground as it will walk on gravel
or dirt road
"Fourth-It is a perfect bicycle road, and
Will be greatly appreciated by wheelmen.
''Fifth-It is extremely durable and the
repairs will be nominal.
'Sixth-The dust, which Is so annoying on
a. gravel or dirt road, is caused largely by
the grinding of the wheels. on this road
there could be no such grinding.
"Seventh-It is a motorcycle road, and a
speed of twenty miles per hour can be OBJ
tanned with safety.
In conclusion the universal use of this
road will increase the value of the farm;
it will beautify the street because. when
we cease to rut, the road grass will take
the place of weeds. 1t win make possible
the free delivery Of mail in rural districts
by bicycles or other swift vehicles. Travel
ing will be as safe at night as in the day,
because the team will keep the road.
ABEL BLISS"
Another interesting series of experiments
by a prominent engineer and contractor of
Pittsburg named r. Melber has attracted
the attention of the Department of Agri-
culture who have decided to begin expert
menting on their own account in order TO
tust the value of the plan. Mr.. Melber's
statement is as follows:
my road is now in position since about
a month and, among other interesting
things, have watched the temperature OF
the steel when exposed to the hct after