SOFTWOOD SLEEPERS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1926, Page 12

SOFTWOOD SLEEPERS

CREOSOTED PINUS INSIGNIS

EXPERIMENTS IN AUSTRALIA,

(By Telegraph.—Pres3 Association.)

AUCKLAND, 2nd July

The successful results attending the use of creosoted" pinus insignis for railway sleepers in South Australia indicate an additional market for this timber, which is grown extensively in the Dominion. Experiments to test the suitability" of pinus insignis sleepers were initiated in 1914 by Professor Hugh Gorbin, of the Chair of Forestry at Auckland University College, when lie was lecturer on forestry at the Adelaide University. The sleepers were cut from trees growing in the State and were treated with creosote. Some were kept aside so that observations could be made aa to the depth to which they become impregnated with creosote, and as to the effect of exposure on the logs. Sufficient sleepers to give reliable data were then numbered and placed on a well-used section of the railway line.

Recently the sleepers were taken up, and an examination revealed that not only had they stood up to the traffic demands but many of them were in bettor conditions than jarrali' sleepers, which had been put down at the same time to enable a comparison to be made.

In a speciad report issued a few weeks ago the South Australian Parliamentary railway standing committee said it had inspected the sleepers treated by Professor Corbin, and that it was impressed with the condition of the timber. The, pinus insignis sleepers which had been creosoted were in perfect condition, although they had been laid for eleven years. The chairman of the committee said that the sleepers could be grown, milled, and creosoted at 7s 7d for a broad gauge sleeper, and 5s 3d for a narrow gauge, and he estimated that on the 1925 contracts of the Department tho use of pinus insignis would mean an enormous saviug. The .Conservator, of Forests was convinced that creosoted pine sleepers would be suitable for all South Australian lines, and that- their life would be equal to that of jarrah.

Hitherto jarrah has held an almost unchallenged position as the timber considered most suitable for railway sleepers and for other works where there is considerable wear and tear. It is generally used throughout the New Zealand railway system.

Last year the Government imported 440,600 jarrah sleepers from Australia, the value being £174,755, and 21,190 superficial feet of timber, valued at £5969, was imported privately.Experiments with creosoted white pine sleepers were conducted some years ago by the Railway Department. The objection to the use of soft woods sleepers lies in the fact that under the stress of traffic the lines are liable to spread, the timber not being hard enough to hold the fastenings firmly. Further experiments: in creosoting New Zealand soft woods ' are being made by Mr. George Gammon, of Mamaku, and the. Railway Department has agreed to give a trial to some sleepers which have bean treated.