29 



teed. The price of these improved fastenings does not exceed 24 cents 

 I)er tie. 



The statistical results as to cost of maiuteuaDce gathered to January 

 1, 1888, on twenty-four trial lengths, are shown in the accoinpanying 

 table. Columns 1 to 14 give the particulars of sections, condition of 

 laying, types, etc., and columns 15 to 22 the expense of maintenance [)er 

 day and per kilometre in francs. 



The statistical data gathered to January 1, 1887, and the close and 

 scrupulous observations of the trial divisions, allowed the company to 

 report seventeen conclusions to the Milan Eailroad Congress in 1>'87. 



The service from January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1888, having fully 

 confirmed the opinions of the comi^au}^ on these seventeen points, the 

 following conclusions are still applicable to the statistical data gathered 

 to January 1, 1888, as contained in the accompanying table : 



(1) Trials 11 and 14 are on curves of 350 metres radius and IG milli. 

 metres per metre grade. Oak ties occupying this place previously had 

 to bo respiked every year, causing great cost of maintenance ; the rail 

 tlange cut the spikes 3 to 4 millimetres, thus giving every year a gauge 

 widening of G to 8 millimetres. Several ties of type III, on the con- 

 tiary, taken from the track for inspection after 1,553 days of service, 

 showed only a widening of 2 millimetres, the exterior bolts (of the old 

 type "A") being worn only 1 millimetre by the rail llange. The tie sur- 

 face only showed a slight amount of corrosion, and the holes were not in 

 any waj^ enlarged or ovalized. Considering the unfavorable conditions 

 under which these ties were, these are very good results ; in no year did 

 the expense amount to 2 francs per day kilometre, and tbe av( rage day 

 kilometre is only 1.39 and 1.40 francs (columns 18 to»22). 



(2) Trials 3 and being on marshy ground, the result may also be 

 considered as favorable; in no year as much as 2 francs per day kilo- 

 metre, and average day kilometre 0.95 franc and 0.88 franc (columns 15 

 to 22). 



(3) As to consolidation (about 2,300 days), the only trials comparable 

 t-o the base trial No. 1 (oak ties) are trials 2, 3, 4, and 5. Though two 

 of these four trials are under unfavorable conditions, there is no sensible 

 difference between the average day kilometre of trials 2, 3, 4, and 5, and 

 the day kilometre (0.C05 franc) of trial 1, a very favorable result indeed, 

 considering the following facts : 



(a) Type I is now considered a poor system, each of types II to IX 

 being great improvements. Had one of the more perfect types been 

 used on these trials, still better results would have been obtained. 



(b) Eespiking and re-adzing of the oak ties of trial 1 had begun in 

 188G, and has to be continued in 1888 and following years, increasing 

 the cost of maintenance with the age of the wood. 



(c) With the trials on metal ties, on the contrary, there is a tendency 

 shown of a decrease of expense as the permanent way becomes set. 



