FOREST RAILROADS 249 



cheaper because of the saving in saws, saw-fiHng expense and 

 lost time on the part of sawmill labor. This saving is very 

 appreciable in large plants. The value of some hardwoods, such 

 as basswood for cooperage stock and birch for spool stock, is 

 strongly influenced by the brightness of the wood, and even 

 though such species can be floated their value is often reduced 

 by exposure to weather and water. 



Railroads for logging purposes can usually be constructed 

 much cheaper than trunk roads because higher grades and 

 sharper curves may be used and also because the roadbed need 

 not always be placed in first-class condition to do satisfactory 

 work. In a rough region, however, the initial expense is great 

 and the cost may be prohibitive if many miles of road must be 

 constructed to reach a tract. Under normal circumstances, 

 railroads are chiefly adapted to large operations since the con- 

 struction charge must be distributed over a large tonnage if 

 the cost per thousand feet of timber handled is to be kept 

 within reasonable limits. 



CHOICE OF GAUGE 



The choice of a narrow- or standard-gauge road for logging 

 operations will be governed by the size of the operation, the 

 topography, and the amount of capital available for investment. 

 The final choice, however, should be governed not only by the 

 initial cost of construction and equipment, but also by the cost 

 of operation, because the increased construction cost of a stand- 

 ard-gauge may be more than compensated by a reduced operating 

 charge 



Narrow-gauge roads can be constructed cheaper than standard- 

 gauge because (i) the width of cuts and fifls is less; (2) sharper 

 curves^ are permissible because of the shorter wheel-base of 

 locomotives and cars; (3) the cost of track laying is less per mile 

 owing to the use of lighter rails and ties; (4) the initial expense 

 for rolling stock and motive power is not so great. 



1 Curves as high as 50 degrees have been negotiated by narrow-gauge geared 

 locomotives but a lower degree is desirable for efficient work. 



