Report on the substitution of metal for wood in railroad ties

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 Excerpt: ... metal ties were laid as an experiment to test their advantages under the conditions prevailing in this country. The cost of track laying and of maintenance were about the same as with wooden ties. In regard to the durability of the tie and the fastenings it was stated that the fastenings of the rails to the ties had remained in good condition. This track does not appear to have a bad effect upon the rolling stock; the elasticity of the track is good, and no complaints have been made by passengers as to any discomforts in traveling over it. While the trials, up to July, 1887, had been satisfactory, the following recommendations were made: The ties should be a little longer and deeper, as it has been found that they do not offer sufficient stability, and the track has to be put in condition as to line and surface several times. No relations were established between the price of wooden and metal ties, on account of the short time since the latter had been put in. DENMARK. General Remarks.--In this country there are 996.34 miles of railway owned by the state and 250.40 miles owned by private companies; they are all of standard gauge and all single track with the exception of 27.9 miles. The rails are of steel, of flange section; on the main lines the weight is 62.88 pounds per yard, but on secondary lines it is only 44.87 pounds, and on one line it is only 35 pounds per yard. Danish State Railways.--April, 1888, I received a communication from the general director of state railways in l'egard to experiments made with metal ties. On the line from Tommernp to Assens (island of Fiona or Fuuen) there is a length of 18.1 miles laid with cross-ties of Martin mild steel. The ties were laid in 1883 '84, under the supervision of Mr. O. Hoyer, engineer. On this division...