CREOSOTING SLEEPERS FOR TROPICAL RAILWAYS

Early in 1943 it was decided to carry out tests to make wooden sleepers impervious to termites. These were first made in the research department of the Southern Railway in England. In addition, information on tropical woods in railway systems was supplied by the Sudan Railway. After nearly three years of trial, it was decided to erect a plant at Zungeru on the Nigerian Railway to treat hardwoods from the Southern Provinces. Timber are impregnated thoroughly with hot creosote under pressure by wheeling them into long cylinders, pulling a vacuum, and applying creosote at temperatures above the boiling point. The removal of the air from the wood cells of the sleepers makes easier the work of the pumps in forcing the creosote into the wood.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Publication Date: 1947-9-19

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 325
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 87

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Creosote; Preservation; Railroad ties; Technology; Wood ties
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Creosoting; Wooden cross ties
• Subject Areas: Construction; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037921
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM