CROSS TIES 285 



larger operations in the West, particularly with lodgepole pine, Douglas 

 fir and western yellow pine. 



On some of our navigable streams, ties are fastened together in large 

 rafts or they are loaded on large barges and towed to destination. The 

 average river barge on the Mississippi River or its tributaries holds be- 

 tween 7000 and 8000 ties each. In loading the cars from a barge or raft, 

 a tie hoist is used. This usually consists of a cradle lowered and raised 

 on an incline track from the water to the loading platform by means of a 



Photograph by U. S. Forest Service. 



FIG. 75. Ties hauled from i to 3 miles by wagon to the landing at the flume. From 30 to 

 60 ties are hauled on each trip. Fluming and driving are common methods employed in 

 bringing softwood ties to market in rough, mountainous regions. Photograph taken 

 in western Montana. 



gasoline engine. Before they are loaded on the cars from the ranks or 

 cribs, they are inspected and branded by a railroad tie inspector and are 

 spotted with paint. 



Summary of Operating Costs. 



The following table 1 shows the usual costs involved in and prices 



received for white oak and other hardwood ties based upon a number of 



operations in Kentucky, the center of the oak-producing region in 1917. 



The specifications used are 8-in. face, 7 in. in thickness and 8J ft. long. 



1 Data supplied by Mr. W. F. Goltra. 



