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revised are now under service observation. Tests are currently under way in endeavor to develop improvements in the metallurgy and manufacture which may serve to correct this condition.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943-
Funds earmarked for 1944_.

$2,894. 37 7, 000. 00

D. Improvement in design.-Present rail designs have given very satisfactory performance. However, intensive research is being continued, making use of the newest type of electrical strain measuring equipment to study possible improvements in design which may improve the present excellent performance.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_.
Funds earmarked for 1944_.

3. Axle research.

$9,234.92 10, 000. 00

The axle research program was started in June 1936, and to date has resuited in the development and adoption in 1940 of a design of passenger car axle suitable for high-speed passenger service. Another development has been the testing and approving for all purposes of a hollow-forged axle which results in substantial reduction in weight of the various sizes of axles. This project is continuing.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943.
Funds earmarked for 1944_.

4. Radio technical planning board.

$179, 916. 94 22, 500.00

The association is a contributing sponsor of the Radio Technical Planning Board which has recently been organized by representatives of various communication interests at the suggestion of the Federal Communications Commission. The objects of the board are to formulate sound engineering principles and to organize technical facts which will assist developments, in accordance with the public interest, of the radio industry and radio services of the Nation and to advise Government, industry, and the people of its determinations, based on engineering considerations. A comprehensive program of technical investigation is underway in which representatives of member roads are devoting a substantial amount of time toward progressing the work of this body.

Expenditures that will be necessary are not at present determined.

5. Improved journal bearings and lubrication.

In 1942 in connection with the effort to conserve scarce materials required in the manufacture of railway car journal bearings the association instituted a project of journal bearing research. As a result of this work, it was found that for the war emergency considerable changes could be made in the design of journal bearings, resulting in a large saving in copper and tin, critical materials used in their manufacture. In addition to laboratory investigations service tests are being continually conducted on a number of selected railroads. Another portion of this project is the study of lubricants.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_
Funds earmarked for 1944___

6. Lubrication of roller bearings.

A study of lubricants for roller bearings has just been initiated. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_.

Funds earmarked for 1944-

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7. Design and construction of lightweight freight equipment. Reduction in dead weight of freight equipment cars has been a continuing project from the very beginning of American railoads. As a result of this effort the ratio of tare weight to load-carrying capacity of cars has improved from a ratio of 3 to 1 to a ratio of 1 to 3 or better. With the close of the war when critical alloy materials again become available, this project will be renewed in cooperation with car builders and will be progressed rapidly. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943‒‒‒‒‒‒‒

$49, 012. 75

No definite amount has been earmarked for 1944, the project being suspended during the war emergency.

8. Design and construction of trucks for high-speed (90 miles per hour) freight service.

During the year 1939 a complete series of tests of trucks designed for highspeed freight service (80 to 90 miles per hour) were conducted. The report of these tests was published in April 1940, and has been the basis for continued development on the part of designers and manufacturers. As soon as conditions permit additional tests are contemplated.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943____.

$29, 193. 50

No definite amount has been earmarked for 1944 account project necessarily being held pending during the war emergency.

9. Fatigue and service tests of rail joint bars.

This investigation has been in progress since 1937 for the purpose of determining improved designs and metallurgy of rail joint bars. There are definite indications that considerable improvement can be made in the service life of rail joint bars by changes in the metallurgy and heat treatment which are being studied.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_.
Funds earmarked for 1944--

10. Bridge impact study.

$29, 614. 88 5,980.00

These studies have resulted in several findings which are of particular importance in handling present wartime volume of traffic. The reduction in impact by elimination of rail joints on short spans has been evaluated. Futher information has been obtained on the impact stresses produced in short spans, and on the damping characteristics of truss spans. In addition, stress measurements have been made for individual railroads on long truss spans to determine whether and what strengthening of individual truss members is required to permit operation of heavy locomotives to facilitate the handling of wartime traffic. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943. Funds earmarked for 1944

11. Fatigue strength of structural welds.

$39, 135.40 15, 200. 00

This is a cooperative investigation by the association, University of Illinois, the United States Bureau of Public Roads, and others to determine information required for the extension of welding in structural work. Definite information has been obtained on the best design and the design strength of welds and, of particular interest to the railway industry, on the best methods of strengthening existing bridges by welding.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_
Funds earmarked for 1944_____

$15,000 5, 000

12. Fatigue strength, failures and improved design of locomotive crank pins. In 1938 an investigation was instituted to develop and improve assembly for locomotive crank pins and wheels. In this work one of the axle fatigue testing machines located in the laboratory maintained by the association at the Timken Roller Bearing Co. at Canton, Ohio, is utilized. The metallurgy laboratory of that company is also used, the expense being paid by the association. Several progress reports of this investigation have been distributed to the member roads but final conclusions have not yet been reached. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943

Funds earmarked for 1944_.

13. Development of improved automobile loading devices.

$55, 851, 50 7,200.00

Difficulties have been encountered in connection with mechanical loading devices installed in automobile box cars because of changes in automobile models from year to year, which necessitated changes in the loading devices and entailed additional expense to the carriers. Since 1935 a loading device has been developed and submitted to impact tests and road transit tests. These tests developed the necessity for further redesign but this work was suspended due to the war effort and the discontinuance of the manufacture of automobiles. It is contemplated that work will be resumed with resumption of automobile production. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943.

No funds currently earmarked but will be made available as needed.

$85, 807.96

14. Rail anchors-Study and service tests.

This is a new investigation started this year to determine the most effective means of applying rail anchors. No findings are available.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943.

Funds earmarked for 1944_.

15. Improvement in manganese frog design.

This is a new investigation started this year. No findings are available. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_.

Funds earmarked for 1944_.

16. Electrolytic corrosion of steel in concrete.

$3,000

$5,000

Purpose of this investigation is to determine means of building supporting foundations for catenary structures on electric railroads to minimize the current flow from catenary to ground and resulting corrosion of the reinforcing steel. Although the investigation is in its early stages there are definite indications that the waterproofing of the concrete will provide very worth-while improvement. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_. Funds earmarked for 1944_

17. Draft gear research.

$1,611. 89 1, 000. 00

One of the first problems to confront the railroads was the absorption of shocks between cars in road and switching service. This problem has been the subject of continuous study by the railroads, the Association of American Railroads, and its predecessors. Since the close of World War I this study has been intensified, resulting in the American Railway Association's building a complete draft gear testing laboratory at Purdue University, La Fayette, Ind., completed early in 1927. This research has resulted in adoption of standard specifications for draft gears for freight service and interchange rules requiring that draft gears be tested and certified by the association as meeting the requirements of those specifications. Only approved and certified gears may be manufactured and used for new cars and for installation of new draft gears to existing cars. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943

Funds earmarked for 1944‒‒‒‒‒‒

18. Investigation of power brakes.

$176, 737. 04 7,000.00

The subject of railway-train brakes has been one of continuous research for many years. As conditions changed, length of trains increased and speeds increased, air-brake improvements have been developed and tested by the proper committees of the Association of American Railroads and its predecessors. On February 20, 1922, the Interstate Commerce Commission ordered an investigation into the use and operation of power brakes. Subsequently an agreement was reached by the American Railway Association and the Interstate Commerce Commission providing that the association would make a thorough and unbiased investigation of power brakes and appliances for operating power-brake systems. This involved extensive laboratory and road-service tests. The information obtained from these tests was used in development of specifications for power brakes for freight cars which were adopted as standard in 1933. Following the adoption of these specifications the air-brake companies developed a brake in commercial form that was found to be acceptable and met the specifications, after which rules were enacted by the American Railway Association requiring all new cars built after September 1, 1933, to be equipped with types of air brakes meeting the specification. Subsequently rules were adopted requiring brakes meeting these specifications to be applied to all cars rebuilt on or after August 1, 1937. For full discussion, see answers in air brake section. Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943__. Funds earmarked for 1944------

$3, 350, 302. 27

2, 102. 00

This is a new investigation for the purpose of determining improved designs of

19. Improvement in tie plate design.

tie plates. No findings have yet been determined.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_.

Funds earmarked for 1944-

$2,935. 45

4,500.00

20. Reclamation of failed parts to conserve strategic and critical materials. Experiments and tests are continually being conducted in the reclamation and reuse of many important details of cars and locomotives, including couplers, coupler knuckles, coupler yokes, cast steel truck side frames, springs, etc. Through this work large savings in railroad operation are made possible and at the present time critical and scarce materials are being conserved for the war effort.

Expenditures to Dec. 31, 1943_

Funds earmarked for 1944_.

$4, 747.66 0

Question 11. What patents does the Association of American Railroads hold? Answer. As of May 1, 1944, the Association of American Railroads holds rights, as specified, under patents identified below:

1. Nystrom patent, No. 1,645,817, October 18, 1927. Draft gear key retaining means. Through mesne assignments entire right, title, and interest is held by H. J. Forster, trustee for Association of American Railroads.

2. Williams patent, No. 1,649,501, November 15, 1927. Side plate construction for railway boxcars; and

3. Williams patent, No. 1,654,153, December 27, 1927. Side plate construction for railway boxcars. Under each of the last two listed patents license rights to build or have built and use or permit others to use freight cars having such side plates are held by Association of American Railroads, having been acquired from American Railway Association, a licensee of an assignee, of entire right, title, and interest.

4. Gilpin patent, No. 1,656,056, January 10, 1928. Railway car roof construction. Rights to build or have built and use or permit others to use freight cars having such roof construction are held by Association of American Railroads, having been acquired from American Railway Association, a licensee from an assignee, of the entire right, title, and interest.

5. Kivlin patent, No. 1,694,508, December 11, 1928. Method of and apparatus for crating furniture. Through mesne assignment entire right, title, and interest is held by H. J. Forster, trustee for Association of American Railroads.

6. Spoor patent, No. 1,903,841, April 18, 1933. Loading of sewer pipe, building tile, etc., for railway shipment. Qualified license is held by H. J. Forster, trustee for Association of American Railroads and its members.

7. Coulston patent, No. 2,005,717, June 18, 1935. Book structure and binder for leaves. Nonexclusive license rights are held by Association of American Railroads and its members to make or have made and use.

8. Wilson et al. patent, No. 2,007,514, July 9, 1935. Apparatus for loading vehicles in freight cars. Association of American Railroads and member lines in severalty hold nonexclusive license to make, have made, and use from New York Central Railroad Co., assignee, of entire right, title, and interest.

9. Kivlin patent, No. 2,051,381, August 18, 1936. Anchor member for load bracings. H. J. Forster, trustee for benefit of Association of American Railroads, holds an assignment of the entire right, title, and interest. 10. Wine patent, No. 2,057,757, October 20, 1936. Hopper door frame. Association of American Railroads, its members and car-owning companies which are members, hold license from assignee of entire right, title, and interest. 11. Cooper patent, No. 2,077.376, April 20, 1937. Automobile decking device. 12. Cooper patent, No. 2,137,979, November 22, 1938. Automobile decking device.

13. Nightingale patent, No. 2,137,980, November 22, 1938. Automobile decking device.

14. Nigtingale patent, No. 2,137,981, November 22, 1938. H. J. Forster, trustee for Association of American Railroads, holds an assignment of the entire right, title, and interest in each of the four patents last above listed.

15. Francis et al. patent, No. 2,112,486, March 29, 1938. Method of loading and transporting watermelons. H. J. Forster, trustee, holds entire right, title, and interest for benefit of Association of American Railroads.

16. Nystrom patent, No. 2,157,427. May 9, 1939. Method of mounting underneath equipment to railroad cars. H. J. Forster, trustee for benefit of Association of American Railroads, holds as assignee of entire right, title, and interest. 17. Keevil patent, No. 2,089.967, August 17, 1937. Method and apparatus for detecting flaws in metallic bodies.

18. Barnes et al. patent, No. 2,109,455, March 1, 1938. Method and apparatus for detecting flaws in metallic bodies.

19. Barnes et al. patent, No. 2,164,302, July 4, 1939. Method and apparatus for detecting flaws in metallic bodies. Association of American Railroads and its members severally hold, under license dated December 23, 1935, rights to manufacture or have manufactured and use for railroad purposes inventions revealed by the last three patents listed.

20. Henry et al. patent, No. 2,164,456, July 4, 1939. Means for supporting and elevating automobiles in freight cars. H. J. Forster, trustee for the benefit of the Association of American Railroads, holds assignment of entire rights, titles, and interests of Henry and Everett in above patent.

21. Helmer patent, No. 2,165,376, July 11, 1939. Automobile supporting means. H. J. Forster, trustee for benefit of Association of American Railroads, holds an assignment of entire right, title, and interest.

22. Henry patent, No. 2,165,377, July 11, 1939. Chain holding device. Harold J. Forster, trustee for benefit of Association of American Railroads, holds assignment of entire right, title, and interest in above patent.

23. Meyers patent, No. 2,165,400, July 11, 1939. Vehicle supporting deck. H. J. Forster, trustee for the benefit of the members of the Association of American Railroads, holds, as assignee by mesne assignment, entire right, title, and interest in the above patent.

24. Mussey patent, No. 2,165,406, July 11, 1939. Deck supporting device. H. J. Forster, trustee for benefit of the members of Association of American Railroads, holds, as assignee by mesne assignment, the entire right, title, and interest in the above patent.

25. Dionne et al. patent, No. 2,170,515, August 22, 1939. Sensitometer. Association of American Railroads, and each of its member railroads, present and future, holds license and power, granted by Dionne, sole, to make or have made and use, for their purposes only, the improvements disclosed in an application executed January 1, 1936, upon which the above patent issued.

26. Rowe patent, No. 2,170,913, August 29, 1939. Car wall anchorage for cargo binders. H. J. Forster, trustee for benefit of Association of American Railroads, holds, as assignee, the entire right, title, and interest in above Rowe patent.

27. Keevil patent, No. 2,175,196, October 10, 1939. Rail flaw detecting apparatus. Association of American Railroads and members severally hold rights specified in item 19 above, the invention covered being classifiable among improvements embraced by the license.

H.

28. Mussey patent, No. 2,185.514, January 2, 1940. Adjustable tie-down. J. Forster, trustee for the benefit of the members of the Association of American Railroads, holds an assignment of the entire right, title, and interest in above patent.

29. Barnes et al. patent, No. 2,190,143, February 13, 1940. Mechanical clamp. Association of American Railroads and its members severally hold rights specified in item 19 above, the invention covered being classifiable among improvements embraced by the license.

30. Mussey patent, No. 2,190,636, February 13, 1940. Adjustable tie-down anchor member. H. J. Forster, trustee for benefit of Association of American Railroads, holds, by mesne assignment, all right, title, and interest in the above patent.

31. Meyers patent, No. 2,196,504, April 9, 1940. Adjustable tie-down. H. J. Forster, trustee for benefit of members of Association of American Railroads, holds, by mesne assignment, all right, title, and interest in the above patent. 32. Barnes et al. patent, No. 2,204.396, June 11, 1940. Magnetic clamp; and 33. Barnes et al. patent, No. 2,219,885, October 29, 1940. Flaw detecting apparatus. Association of American Railroads and its members severally hold rights specified in item 19 above, to the inventions of both of these patents, they being improvements embraced by the license.

34. Magee patent, No. 2,198,675, April 30, 1940. Rail joint bar with differential hardened surfaces; and

35. Magee patent, No. 2,203,994, June 11, 1940. Spring clip rail fastener. Harold J. Forster, trustee for the benefit of the members of the Association of American Railroads, is assignee of the entire right, title, and interest in both of the above Magee patents.

36. Cooper et al. patent, No. 2,204,034, June 11, 1940. Automobile loading frame; and

37. Nightingale patent, No. 2,204,377, June 11, 1940. Automobile decking device. Harold J. Forster, trustee for benefit of Association of American Railroads, holds, by mesne assignment, entire right, title, and interest in these last two identified patents.

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