Sept. 4, 1832. Marengo 534 1,004 2 07 1.85
Oct. 12, 1832. Vestal 237 460 2 07 1.85

This iron proved to be of such superior quality that after it was
worn out in the track, the company's mechanics preferred it to new
iron in making repairs. Some of this rail is still in use in side
tracks. It is pronounced equal in durability to much of the steel
rail of to-day. ]


FIRST JOINT FIXTURES.

Mr. Stevens ordered the first joint fixtures also from an English
mill, at the same time. The ends of the rails were designed to rest
upon wrought iron plates or flat cast plates. The rails were connected
at the stems by an iron "tongue" five inches long, two inches wide,
and five-eighths of an inch thick. A rivet, put on hot, passing
through the stem of each rail near the ends of the bar, fastened it to
the tongue and completed the joint. A hole oblong in shape, to allow
for expunctral contraction, was punched in the stem at each end of the
rail.


THE FIRST RAILROAD SPIKES.

The first "spikes six inches long, with hooked heads," were also
ordered at the same time. These were undoubtedly the "first railroad
spikes" (as they are known to the trade) ever manufactured.

Mr. Stevens neglected to obtain a patent for these inventions,