. Electric railway journal . on of special work: In the rear of the Carroll Park shops there is a lot uponwhich is stored special work—frogs, mates, switches and cross-ings—out of shape and out of service because it has becomecracked, chipped and broken. Anyone not familiar with theoperation of a street railway system might suppose that thisdiscarded special work had lived its natural life and served aslong as could be expected. But while it is true that the life ofspecial work must necessarily have a limit, it is also true thatits life is dependent largely upon the manner in which cars areope
. Electric railway journal . on of special work: In the rear of the Carroll Park shops there is a lot uponwhich is stored special work—frogs, mates, switches and cross-ings—out of shape and out of service because it has becomecracked, chipped and broken. Anyone not familiar with theoperation of a street railway system might suppose that thisdiscarded special work had lived its natural life and served aslong as could be expected. But while it is true that the life ofspecial work must necessarily have a limit, it is also true thatits life is dependent largely upon the manner in which cars areoperated over it. Whenever a motorman runs his car careless-ly through a switch or over a crossing or too rapidly around acurve he helps to send some special work to the Carroll Parkscrap heap. Special work is made of finer steel and is of highergrade than straight rails, and, being of special design, mustbe made to order. The high-grade steel and special workman-ship make it far more expensive than ordinary track. In addi-. Views of Damaged Special Work Used as Object Lessons tion there is the expense of laying it. The old work has to beremoved and the new installed, requiring a gang of workmen ;the streets must be torn up and repaved; it causes wear onother parts of the track by removing a vital part of the line;and it interferes with traffic on the street. To keep a piece of special work in its place, in active service,does not cost much—just a little thoughtfulness and care on thepart of motormen. Special work is expected to bear a greater strain than therest of the track, and for this reason it is made of hardersteel, in order that it may live as long as straight rails; and itwill do so if subjected only to ordinary wear. If a car is care-fully operated, the special work will not be damaged. Butwhen a motorman runs his car rapidly, bumping the heavytrucks of his car over special work, he puts the track to a testno steel can long stand. If one could beat with great force
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