PRRTHS

Arrangement of Rail Testing Equipment in PRR 2349.



PRR 2349 - Rail Test Car - Class N23 - Built 2/16
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The above illustration and photo was part of an advertisement flyer published by the
Southwark Foundry and Machine Company of Philadelphia, Pa.
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Due to a rail production change from the Bessemer steel process to an
"open hearth steel" process, the characteristics of steel
required a new means of testing.

The Southwark Foundry and Machine Company, designed and built a hydraulic press to
test rail samples with a new test known as the "quick bend test".

This new test was developed by a special committee appointed by one of
the "largest railroads". To meet the demand for rail testing directly at the
rolling mills or other locality where it was desired to conduct the test,
the testing press was installed into a standard railroad car making
a complete mobile testing laboratory. (to be continued).
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This flyer was rescued from the dumpsters, along with a quantity of other
literature from the PRSL offices in Camden, NJ prior to closing.
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Photo and article submitted by John Scarpitti, Consolidated Rail Corporation.