Wood Research in the Railroad Industry

Extensive research has been conducted on the two principal causes for wood cross tie replacement, abrasion from the tie plates, and tie splitting. Repeated laboratory loading tests correlated with service tests in track have shown that tie abrasion can be reduced 50% with tie plate fastenings and almost eliminated with tie pads. Research has shown that dowels are an effective means of controlling tie splitting and a dowel with much superior holding power compared to the fluted dowell has been developed. Design data has been obtained by laboratory and field tests to improve the economy in use of timber trestles, including the repeated load strength of pine and fir in bending and shear and of bolted bracing joints. Extensive research work on fire retardant coatings did not yield practical results. A proving ground project for protection of wood against termite attack has indicated the most effective treatments. Work has been done leading to performance acceptance test for freight car flooring.