PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 13 
curves. Rails on curves of 14 chains radius laid in over 10 
years ago are still in good order, so that it is evident that 
a small decrease in curvature very greatly increases the 
rail life under the rolling stock we have in general use.”’ 
The information furnished by Mr. Norman tends to show 
the importance of using hard or tough rails. In the case 
of acurve at South Yarra where Ameriean rails from Mary- 
land were used, the wear was less than one-fourth of those 
of some Barrow rails laid down at Kew. The particulars 
are as follows—in both cases 100 1b. rails were used. The 
rails on the South Yarra curve of 908 feet radius lost on 
the average 3°18 tb. per lin. yard for 52 months wear with 
a traffic of about 22,900,000 tons, whereas those at Kew 
which were on a curve of 792 feet radius showed a wear 
of 3°82 ib. per lin. yard for 21 months, for a traffic of 
7,905,500. Reducing the wear to the same period and 
traffic we find the wear of the South Yarra rails per year 
and for 10,000,000 tons was °06 ibs., whereas that of the 
Barrow rails was ‘27 tbs. The difference in curvature alone 
would not account for this. 
Mr. Pagan shows the advantage to be gained by the use 
of guard rails. Prior to the introduction of guard rails on 
the main range the average life of the outer rail on curves 
of the radii mentioned, was as follows :— 
) chain curves, 16 months 
5S 99 18 99 
6 9 21 29 
8 33 28 to 30 months 
The following are the results of putting guard rails on 5 
chain curves. They depend largely on grade, and it is 
evidently that part of the wear is due to brake action :— 
Grade 1 in 110, 11 years 
i300 the y5* son) 4 years 
ya 4, fos Or VealSnommontis 
