70 



ber of ties per mile, and weighting these numbers by the mileage of the 

 respective roads it was ascertained that for 2035.82 miles of track 5,- 

 638,321 ties were in service, or an average of 2,770 ties per mile. Since 

 from the new ties laid in 1921 and 1922 we obtain an average for re- 

 placements and new construction of 88 ties per mile, we conclude that 

 the average length of service rendered is 31.5 years. Trolley traffic is 

 not so hard on ties as steam traffic because the cars are very much lighter. 

 Some treated ties are used, and in the one case where steel ties were used 

 the cost appeared to be almost prohibitive. The permanent requirement 

 per annum for cross-ties by electric lines and trolley lines may be roughly 

 placed at 312,000 for renewals and new construction*, assuming that 

 there are 9,730,000 ties now in service on the entire 3,514 miles of these 

 roads. In addition to cross-ties, these electric and light and power lines 

 in 1921 required 46,327 poles and 8,042,399 board feet of lumber. 



The total wood consumed by electric lines exclusive of lumber used 

 for electric cars, in 1921 was: 



Number Cubic feet Multiple 



Cross-ties 292,509 1,023,781 3.5 



Poles 46,327 463,270 10.0 



Total cubic products 1,487,051 



Board feet 

 Lumber 8,042,399 ' 1,340,400 1/6 



2,827,451 

 Equivalent in board feet 18,912.267 



The total, for both steam and electric transportation is : 



Cubic feet 



Lumber 85.508,566 



Round products 2S.630.745 



114,137,311 cu. ft. or 752,848,774 board feet 



Tie Renewals and Replacements and the Future Tie Supplies 

 FOR Illinois Railroads 



Transportation is literally the life-blood of the industries of the state. 

 Whatever affects the security or cost of railroad operation brings imme- 

 diate readjustments in both the cost of living and the standard of living. 



The security of the road-bed is a necessity in making possible the 

 steady increase in weight and driving power of locomotives, speed of 

 passenger service, and reduction of cost of haul per ton mile. . The 



•Tliis wa.s determined by returns from questionnaires sent out to members of the 

 Illinois Klectric Railways Association through the courtesy of their Secretary -Treas- 

 urer, Mr. R. V. Piather. 



