Thursday Trivia

Is corn the Nebraska state tree?

A corn stalk is stronger than the NE state tree

Makes good brake band lining though

Some of the old chairlifts, early 70's and before used that wood as the friction surface on the manual emergency brake bands. It took about 30' of 2" thick X 4" wide blocks.

They worked quite well.

glc

Re: Does 4:1mean anything?

;-)

Answer

When building the Transcontinental Railroad across the barren Nebraska plains, the Union Pacific Railroad had endless aggravation obtaining railroad ties. The only timber available was the pulpy cottonwood tree, which grew along the edges of Nebraska's rivers and streams. The U.P. made do with this poor choice by preserving the cottonwood tie with a solution of zinc chloride. These treated ties were interspersed with freighted-in oak and cedar ties on a ratio of four "junk" cottonwood ties to one good cedar or oak tie.

I think Dale got it with the 4:1 ;-)

Re: I Googled, now I feel better.

Thanks Dan for the question, I learned something.