Why THIS Double Track?

[Waterloo50]

A great link to a free book on the production and preservation of wood crosstie's if your not interested in the article there are some great photos, https://www.rta.org/assets/docs/150 Year History Full Book.pdf

It's worth taking a look just to see a locomotive running on wooden rails and ties.

 

[Lubliner]

A great link to a free book on the production and preservation of wood crosstie's if your not interested in the article there are some great photos, https://www.rta.org/assets/docs/150 Year History Full Book.pdf

It's worth taking a look just to see a locomotive running on wooden rails and ties.

Thanks for that link. It is interspersed with pictures and tables, so it ought to be an interesting but easier read, at least for me.
Lubliner.

 

[steamman]

The footprint for CW track (ditch-bed-ditch) was 50 feet, about 65 feet for double track. Ties were not treated until about 10 years after the war, though the concept was understood much earlier. Southern ties lasted about 5 years, with 20-60,000 needing to be replaced every year on many roads.

A lot of ties.

 

[Waterloo50]

A lot of ties.

Yep, I read that most railroad companies cut down trees along the route of the newly laid track, they weren't fussy about the type of wood used either. No wonder so many tracks ended up rotting or sinking into the abyss, I read that creosote wasn't used until the 1920s which is an odd thing considering that creosote is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, during the 1800's everyone was burning coal and wood, I think the railroads missed an opportunity to preserve their tracks and save themselves a lot of hassle.

as a side note, I've seen articles about the health problems associated with creosote, I wish I hadn't read about it as I spent many years working as a sawyer in a large sawmill, a part of my job was working the 'dip', I got paid an extra £10 per week to dip lumber into a large tank full of creosote, no mask or protective clothing, it would eat through my clothes and I would often get burnt skin....ah those were the days...lol

 

[steamman]

Yep, I read that most railroad companies cut down trees along the route of the newly laid track, they weren't fussy about the type of wood used either. No wonder so many tracks ended up rotting or sinking into the abyss, I read that creosote wasn't used until the 1920s which is an odd thing considering that creosote is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, during the 1800's everyone was burning coal and wood, I think the railroads missed an opportunity to preserve their tracks and save themselves a lot of hassle.

as a side note, I've seen articles about the health problems associated with creosote, I wish I hadn't read about it as I spent many years working as a sawyer in a large sawmill, a part of my job was working the 'dip', I got paid an extra £10 per week to dip lumber into a large tank full of creosote, no mask or protective clothing, it would eat through my clothes and I would often get burnt skin....ah those were the days...lol

Take a look at rta.org look for the faq.

 

[Waterloo50]

Take a look at rta.org look for the faq.

Thanks for that, the article on exposure to creosote was reassuring.

 

[Lubliner]

Take a look at rta.org look for the faq.

Just the FAQ alone is more than a day's reading. In depth is an understatement (no pun intended).
Lubliner.