The last blow on the spike should be
only sufficiently hard to cause its throat to fit snugly on the rail;
a harder blow will often fracture the spike in such a manner as to
cause the head in a short time to break off and leave the rail
unsupported at that point. Foremen should not allow a spike to be
pulled, especially in frosty weather, until it has been first struck a
light blow to break the rust and loosen its hold in the wood. The
filling of old spike holes with wooden plugs is bad practice, for the
reason that they will cause the spike in a short time to slip from its
place; to fill the holes with sand is much better, and spikes driven
in holes so filled will hold much more firmly. The best form of spike
I have seen is the curved safety railroad spike; this spike takes in
the tie a position which enables it to resist the thrust of the rail
against it much more effectually than the ordinary spike can possibly
do. I have seen in good condition, one of these curved spikes which
was said to have been driven eight times. The cost of the curved
safety spike is more than that of the ordinary spike, but it is better
made, holds the track better, and, I believe, is worth more than the
difference asked for it.
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