The Hayford process and apparatus for preserving timber by Andrews Edward R

Author:Andrews, Edward R. [from old catalog]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Wood
Publisher: Philadelphia, W. P. Kildare, printer
Published: 1878-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

a generation to learn that this is so. It was accepted as proved in England 30 years ago, and in engineering works the strongest testimonials of the value of creosote oil, as a preservative against decay, are recorded by all the great constructive engineers in Europe,

There is scarcely a railway in England which does not use creo-soted ties, bridge timbers and platforms, and the same roads use them to-day which began their use in 1840. The Belgian system of railways, which is under government management, uses creosoted ties solely, and the same is true of all the railways of Northern Europe.

Some engineers here have told me that ties wear out before they rot. That may be true in some cases ; but I ask, if creosoted ties do not wear out in 20 years on the great roads in England, why should they wear out here ? It is a remarkable fact that it is difficult to find any old ties in England for specimens of creosoted work. These specimens from the Great Northern Kailwoy of England, which have been in wear from 10 to 14 years, were actually taken out of the road-bed to be sent to me. No piles of old ties lying by the side of the tracks, only fit for fuel, are to be seen in Europe as in this country.

My belief is, ties begin to decay before they begin to wear out. As a rule, ties are half buried in the ground in a green state, full of sap in a fermenting condition. Wet rot sets in at once, favored by the exposure to alternate dryness and moisture, particularly under the rail, where the surface begins to decay at once, hastened by the rust from the rail; at the same time the spike driven into the moist wood begins to corrode ; water v/orks down by the side of the spike, the spike loosens and plays, and then comes the trip-hammer action of the rail every time a train passes over it. It is no wonder the tie cuts and is thrown out, often within the first year.

But with a creosoted tie the spike will not corrode and will not work loose; the surface of the tie under the rail will not decay or wear, because not affected by alternate dryness and moisture; there will be no play of the rail upon the tie, and consequently no friction and no cutting. No, there is every reason for believing that creosoted ties will last here 20 years as well as in England, and their general use would be equal to a saving of 3 per cent., per annum, on the cost of the railways of this country.

I have referred priucipally to the uses of creosoted wood on railways, because they are the great consumers of lumber, but it should commend itself equally to architects, builders and carpenters.

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