Abstract: Coating adhesion on wooden members, such as wooden railroad crossties, is improved through use of three surface-treating techniques prior to application of the coating. The first technique involves forming grooves on the surface of the wooden article, the second technique involves exposing the wooden article to heat to reduce the moisture content of the surface of the wooden article, and the third technique involves creating incisions on the surface of the wooden article to further promote adhesion. The techniques may be advantageously used together to further enhance coating adhesion.

Abstract: A sleeper for receiving and securing a pair of railway rails has openings for receiving the rails for screw-less mounting. Either one or both flanges of the rail foot is secured in the opening by cooperation with a lug of the sleeper. The lug or lugs may be bendable in order to be open for mounting and closed by bending upon mounting for securing the rail. A supporting plate may be provided on the bottom of the opening and may have a resilient layer applied thereon.

Abstract: A railroad crosstie is constructed from at least two individually distinct rail support blocks interconnected by a web system which is fastened to the blocks and which comprises at least one self-supporting rigid sheet member adapted to be buried in the roadway ballast when the tie is in place. The blocks are selected to support and secure rails in conventional manner, and the interconnecting web system holds the blocks in relative position in the roadbed. The rigid sheet member adapted to be buried in the roadway ballast is advantageously disposed or provided with means such as horizontal longitudinal corrugations to interact mechanically with the particles of standard railroad ballast, whereby the tie resists being withdrawn from the roadbed.

Abstract: An improved railroad tie constructed of a metal sheath with angled walls braced longitudinally, vertically, and laterally and reinforced by a filling of concrete, the sheath structure being especially adapted for spring-type rail securing devices bridging the side walls of the shell. Hand-hold recesses are provided at the ends to facilitate manual handling of the ties.