1884.] NEW TOKK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. IT 



have the joints so lirm as to carry the wave or deflection of one 

 rail to the next, and not allow it to break at the joint. 



The original diagrams taken by the instruments, sho's\ang the 

 general condition of the tracks, were of such extent that much 

 time was required to approximately summarize the results, and 

 limited the number of roads which could be inspected. This led 

 to the design and construction of the summing-up apparatus. 



These are without question the most valuable of all pieces of 

 the accessory apparatus connected with the car, as they give re- 

 sults independent of every other mechanism and personal opin- 

 ion. They measure and sum up the smallest possible undula- 

 tion or the greatest with equal facility, and when the sum equals 

 6 inches in amount of vertical up motion of the intermediate 

 wheel, make records as shown on lines 278 and 279 on 

 Fig. III. They fui"nish the means of showing whether im- 

 provements are being made in the track or whether it is deteri- 

 orating from month to month or year to year. The summing- 

 up apparatus gives the figures which form the basis of the con- 

 densed diagrams, from which at once is seen the relative and 

 comparative condition of each mile of track, and further the 

 comparisons between different brands of steel and their smooth- 

 wearing qualities. Ofiicials can, in a few moments, see the en- 

 tire condition of their line, and if they have them for more than 

 one year, can see the effect of a particular policy or system they 

 may adopt in regard to their track, by comparing with a dia- 

 gram taken at some preceding date. The condensed diagrams 

 give in lines the results of the figures, showing the essential de- 

 tails of each mile. A strip of paper 36 inches long and 9 

 inclies wide is suflicient to show 150 miles of double track. 

 The tabulated figures occupy about 40 pages, 11 x 17 inches. 



LOW POINT MARKERS. 



To indicate to the trackmen where the deflections in the rails 

 occurred, under the weight of a heavy car, or loose or worn 

 joints, without further reference to the diagrams, the " Low 

 Point Markers" were added, which, as the car runs over the 

 track, ejects paint under the heads of the rails when the deflec- 

 tions equal or excel what the markers are set to discharge. At 

 first this was five-sixteenths of an inch, but now reduced to three- 

 sixteenths of an inch on several railroads. * 



* In 1886, to one-eighth of &d inch, and for the Boston and Albany R. R., 

 3-32 of an inch. 



