TRAMWAY RAIL JOINTS. CV. 
With regard to the ordinary fishplates in use, it is found neces- 
sary under heavy traffic to renew them every three or four years, 
and the renewal has been found so unsatisfactory, owing to the 
wear on the under side of the head and flange of rail, that instead 
of using new fishplates, the old plates are taken to the shops, and 
there spread in a cast iron block under the weight of the steam 
hammer, the depth of the fishplates being increased by a quarter 
of an inch. 
There are many other joint devices with more or less merit, but 
which fail to fulfil the conditions required of them, a description 
of which would only weary members. This paper would, however, 
be incomplete were two of the most recent methods of uniting 
tramway rails, which have largely come into use in the United 
States of America, omitted. These are the electric welding, and 
also its rival known as the “cast weld.” 
As far back as June, 1893, the West End Co., Boston, deter- 
mined to try electrically welded joints. Four miles of track laid 
with the rail section known as the Providence girder rail, and 
three miles of 44” girder were selected. The latter rail at this 
time was badly worn, and soon proved a failure. 
The four miles of Providence rail remained in shape till the 
following winter, when it pulled apart in eighty places. The 
breaks were in most instances from 4” to 8” from the weld, though 
some were in the centre of the rail. Improvements having been 
made in the method of welding, the rail was repaired by being 
Sawn at the breaks to make a clean edge, closers of the proper 
size being inserted, the rail afterwards being re-welded. 
track is reported to have lasted satisfactorily through the summer 
of 1894, but in the following winter broke again in thirty places. 
The riding was stated to be very easy over this construction, and 
where not broken very satisfactory. Where the breaks occurred 
girder joints were employed. An interesting fact in connection 
with the breaks was that they did not occur at regular intervals, 
three or four occurring with 60’ or 90’, and then not again for 
half a mile. 
