BALLAST. 37 



cient inclination to the rails to check any tendency of the 

 rails to overturn, or to spread, observing due care to maintain 

 gage. 



In laying these plates, the line side of the tie is marked, and 

 the plate put on, the other plate being then put on in its proper 

 position by gaging it from the line plate with a gage rod, 

 having lugs to fit the spike holes. The plates may be forced 

 into the tie by a hydraulic press, or in the track by striking 

 vertically with a paver's hammer, or with a short section of 

 rail provided with cross bar handles. In putting plates on be- 

 fore the rails are laid, a wooden or metal block should be 

 placed on the plate to distribute the blow. If put on after rails 

 are laid, the rail may be lifted, the plate slipped in, an iron 

 plate placed upon each projecting end of the plate, and these 

 two plates struck simultaneously by two strikers with spike 

 mauls, or, one end of the plate may be settled into the tie, and 

 the free end then driven with a sledge, causing the flanges to 

 plow their way through the wood under the rail. 



RAIL BRACES. 



Rail braces will be used when necessary with rail sections 

 for which tie-plates are not provided, generally on curves of 

 4 and upwards. On curves of less degree, double spiking 

 will usually be sufficient. The braces should always be placed 

 in parrs on the opposite ends of the same tie. 



FROGS AND SWITCHES. 



Switches must be put in track in accordance with the stand- 

 ard plans. When temporary sidings are put in, the main line 

 rails must not be cut, but short closure rails must be pro- 

 vided to fill the space between frog and the adjacent rail. 

 Double spiked short rails should be used for this purpose. 



BALLASTING. 



All spikes should be driven down before ballast is distrib- 

 uted. Ballast should not be distributed until the road- 

 bed is of full width and all unsuitable material removed. 

 When material is unfit for use as ballast, it should 

 be cleaned out from bottom of tie and used for widening the 



