pullers, 4 throwing rails, 12 spikers, 2 to push the cars and carry
water.

We soon found 5 ft. cars useless, and threw them into the ditch to be
picked up at some future time.

The men were spread out so as not to be in each other's way, and when
the organization was understood and conformed to, it worked well. One
gang changed 5 miles in 5 hours and 10 minutes, including a number of
switches. We found, however, and it was demonstrated still more
strongly on later work, that after 5 or 6 miles the men began to lag.

We believed we had the best results when we had sections of about that
length.

It was arranged that two sections, alternately, commenced work
together at one point, working from each other and continuing until
the force of another section was met, working from the opposite
direction.

The foreman in charge was expected to examine the work and know that
all was right. The push car which followed was a good test as to
gauge.

A work train was started from each end with a small force (20 or 25
men) to run over the changed track. This train, of course, had been
changed on a previous day to be ready for this work.

If a force was overtaken by this train with its work not done, the men
on the train were at once spread out to aid in its completion. This