In 1955, the Sperry Car is mentioned in this CPR booklet (see rule 432).
Shimming, bracing and spiking diagrams are included within an interesting chart at the end of the booklet. The wide variety of track hardware depicted there also provides a glimpse back into the early light rail branch line era.
Decades ago, using simple tools and muscle power, the section gangs ensured that the road remained open and safe throughout the year - regardless of the time of day or the weather conditions.
Today's track and roadbed is homogenous by design and renewed by heavy specialized equipment to make it relatively 'maintenance free'.
These rules show that 1950s track gangs worked with standard-length rails which were delivered on standard cars. An assortment of connecting hardware, spikes and anchoring hardware ensured that the rail stayed in place on its wooden ties in spite of the longitudinal, vertical and centrifugal forces of passing trains. If the trains didn't slide, hammer or spread all these bits and pieces out of place on their own ... there were also the forces of nature to contend with.
If you are interested in steel rails, an earlier, more elaborate CNR rulebook section with photos and diagrams of rail defects (probably pre-Sperry Rail Service in Canada) can be found here:
CNR 1939 Maintenance of Way, Rules & Instructions - Rail Failure Reports
The manual shown below spent a good deal of time on the job and in its owner's pocket. Over a period of years, a number of pre-gummed sections were affixed over regulations which had been revised (see Rule 422). I resisted any temptation to peel up these well-glued patches. This front-stapled booklet did not lend itself to complete flattening on the scanner glass, so the gutter is quite pronounced in most of the images.
