28 



Types YI, YII, YIII, and IX are in mild steel rolled to a variable 

 section, strengthening at rail seats and tilt 1 in 20 being obtained di- 

 rectly by rolling, thus preserving the steel from damage at the vainer- 

 able spot (rail seats) by bending or pressing. These ties weigh 50 to 

 55 kilograms each, corresponding to 57 to 63 kilograms per tie of 

 uniform section BB (economy 15 per cent.). Type YI, without the nar- 

 row waist, like all preceding types, had not quite the same stability as 

 the later types with narrow waist; indeed, this reduction of breadth 

 in the middle causes the principal reaction of the ballast to work at the 

 rail seats, eliminating the balancing action of the track which takes 

 place when the sui)port is in the middle, particularly on badly ballasted 

 roads or with neglected i)acking. Moreover, the increased height at 

 the center gives greater rigidity to the tie. The wedge waisted tie VII 

 is, unfortunately, of difficult manufacture, and so types YIII and IX 

 are practically esteemed the best, and all agree that they give remark- 

 able results. 



The ends are closed and project downward 2 inches into the ballast. 

 The tests prescribed for inspection are very severe. The author exe- 

 cuted a series of tests to ascertain whether annealing the ties after 

 punching the holes does pay or not; his conclusion was, that with mild 

 steel annealing is not necessary, but is desirable if it can be done at 

 smalt expense. 



The ties are tarred if they have to remain a long time beside the 

 track. The price, Including two years of guaranty, varies from 822 to 

 $26 per ton. 



The fastenings show the following improvements, gradually intro- 

 duced and tried by Mr. Post. The surface of nuts and clips is rough- 

 ened to facilitate the grip of the Yerona nut-lock. The clips, if rolled 

 (mild steel annealed), get three fillets for the same reason : if stamped 

 (iron or mild steel), they are indented like the nuts. In both cases the 

 clip has a large contact with the surface of the tie in order to reduce 

 the wear. For the same reason the head of the bolt (iron or soft man 

 ganese steel) is large. The bolt must not be less than J inch diameter. 

 The collar of the bolt, which is eccentric, to enable widening of gauge 

 on curves by turning the bolt 180 degrees, fits tight into the tie hole; 

 this hole being rounded in the corners to avoid cracks, the bolt collar is 

 rounded accordingl3^ The Yerona nut-locks are of the very best quality, 

 severely tested as to elasticity and sharpness of points, and are guaran- 



ancl Asia (colonies). About 272,700 more (about 12,700 tons), comprising the narrow- 

 gauge and rack-road ties for Sumatra, are ordered and being manufactured now, 

 making a total of about 730,000 ties (or 36,500 tons). See on tbis subject : 



(a) Mr. Bricka's official report to tbe Freucli minister of public works. 



(&) Mr. Kowalski's official report to tbe Milan Eailroad Congress, 1887. 



(c) Eeport of VincenuesExbibition, lSd7, bigbest award to Netherlands State Rail- 

 road Company and to the writer. 



{(1) Annual Eeport, 1887, of the French Society for tbe Advancement of Industry j 

 silver medal awarded to the writer. 



