Axe ties
Encyclopedia
Axe ties are railway ties
that are hewn
by hand, usually with a broadaxe
. There are 2,900 ties per mile of track on a first class railroad. The early railways would not accept ties cut with a saw, as it was claimed that the kerf of the saw splintered the fibres of the wood, leaving them more likely to soak up moisture causing premature rot.
was the most sought after wood for ties, however, as electric power
came into more common use in the early 1900s, it was substituted with other species such as Tamarack
. In northern regions where Jack Pine
was plentiful, that species became a more common source for railway ties. Jack Pine ties did not last as long as Cedar or Tamarack (lying on the ground), but were cheaper to produce. As creosote
treatment came into use the axe ties were phased out, but Jack Pine remained best suited for softwood ties.
along the railway in the early 1900s. Examples include Foleyet
and Nemegos
.
Railroad tie
A railroad tie/railway tie , or railway sleeper is a rectangular item used to support the rails in railroad tracks...
that are hewn
Hewing
Hewing is the process of converting sections of a tree stem from its rounded natural form into a form with more or less flat surfaces using primarily, among other tools, an axe or axes...
by hand, usually with a broadaxe
Broadaxe
A broadaxe is a large-headed axe. There were two types of broadaxes both used for shaping logs by hand hewing. On one type, one side is flat and the other side beveled, a basilled edge, this is a hewing broadaxe...
. There are 2,900 ties per mile of track on a first class railroad. The early railways would not accept ties cut with a saw, as it was claimed that the kerf of the saw splintered the fibres of the wood, leaving them more likely to soak up moisture causing premature rot.
Wood species
CedarThuja occidentalis
Thuja occidentalis is an evergreen coniferous tree, in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is widely cultivated for use as an ornamental plant known as American Arbor Vitae. The endemic occurrence of this species is a northeastern distribution in North America...
was the most sought after wood for ties, however, as electric power
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
came into more common use in the early 1900s, it was substituted with other species such as Tamarack
Tamarack Larch
Tamarack Larch, or Tamarack, or Hackmatack, or American Larch is a species of larch native to Canada, from eastern Yukon and Inuvik, Northwest Territories east to Newfoundland, and also south into the northeastern United States from Minnesota to Cranesville Swamp, West Virginia; there is also a...
. In northern regions where Jack Pine
Jack Pine
Jack pine is a North American pine with its native range in Canada east of the Rocky Mountains from Northwest Territories to Nova Scotia, and the northeast of the United States from Minnesota to Maine, with the southernmost part of the range just into northwest Indiana...
was plentiful, that species became a more common source for railway ties. Jack Pine ties did not last as long as Cedar or Tamarack (lying on the ground), but were cheaper to produce. As creosote
Creosote
Creosote is the portion of chemical products obtained by the distillation of a tar that remains heavier than water, notably useful for its anti-septic and preservative properties...
treatment came into use the axe ties were phased out, but Jack Pine remained best suited for softwood ties.
Production in Canada
Axe tie production was an early industry of importance for many communities in OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
along the railway in the early 1900s. Examples include Foleyet
Foleyet, Ontario
Foleyet is a community in the Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada, midway between Chapleau and Timmins on Highway 101. The town was created during the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway through the area in the early years of the 20th century....
and Nemegos
Nemegos, Ontario
Nemegos is an unincorporated place and community in geographic Halsey Township in the Unorganized North Part of Sudbury District in Northeastern Ontario, Canada...
.