Per a fellow I did some swapping with who is into railroad ties, the Q
conducted two tests of triangle ties in 1903 & 1904. These 2 test sections
totaled a little over 2 miles. Don't know for sure where they were located.
It is rumored that the GN probably cut these ties, since they were the
only RR to use them at the time beginning in 1902 & continuing into 1916 per
GN documenation with some also found with "20's dates including some just
recovered from ROW in Marias Pass, MT. I'd guess the Q's test, assuming
they acquired the ties from GN and having a treatment plant in Sheridan, did
the tests in Wyoming or Montana - anyone ever see used triangular ties on Q
RoW? The benefits of such ties were less waste per log when splitting into
ties, lighter weight and self-leveling when in use. In any case, a Jeff
Oaks who has done articles on RR ties said only Q & GN ever had anything to
do with such ties. If you care to see what the ties looked like, I have a
scan of an "02 GN tie which I will forward if you contact me off list.
Gerald
_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
|