In gauging ties it is very convenient to have measured off on the
handles of the mauls in the hands of the forward spikers the distance
from the outside of the rail to the end of the tie. This distance will
then be gauged on the tie, when it will be lifted to the rail and
securely spiked; the gauge is then used, and the loose rail held in
place with the lining bar as previously indicated, loose gauge being
given on curves, in accordance with directions of the engineer, the
allowance for which is about 1/8 in. on a 2° curve, up to about 3/4 in.
on a 12° curve.

This widening of the gauge should begin on the tangent, back of the
P.C., the full amount of excess over true gauge being reached by the
time the P.C. is reached and continue all the way around the curve,
running from the P.T. in the same manner as back of the P.C.

The spikes should always be driven home straight and at right angles
with the face of the ties. When the foreman in charge of the
track-laying work sees a spiker, when the spike is nearly home, strike
the spike head laterally, which is done to make it lie snugly to the
rail, he should at once check such imperfect work and put the man who
does it at other work. The foreman in charge of gang of spikers should
be experienced in this branch of the work, and by weeding out
imperfect workers, can soon get together a first-rate gang of spikers.
But no trouble will be experienced from carelessly driven spikes, if
the tie has the spike holes bored into it, before laying. This is
considered good practice, but rather expensive.

[Illustration]