ASSOCIATION OF RAILWAY TELEGRAPH SUPERINTENDENTS 
 
 SPECIFICATIONS FOR CROSSINGS OF WIRES 
 OR CABLES OF TELEGRAPH, TELEPHONE, 
 SIGNAL AND OTHER CIRCUITS OF SIMILAR 
 CHARACTER OVER STEAM RAILROAD 
 RIGHTS OF WAY, TRACKS, OR LINES OF 
 WIRES OF THE SAME CLASSES 
 
 ADOPTED IN CONVENTION AT SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 20, 1913 
 
17 
 
 stacks 
 
 
 t- 
 
 1. SCOPE. 
 
 ft6*\s 
 
 These specifications cover the construction and maintenance of lines of aerial wires or cables 
 of telegraph, telephone, signal, and all other electric wires of similar character crossing steam 
 railroad rights of way, tracks, or lines of wires of the classes mentioned above. They prescribe 
 the standard practice to be followed. In matters not specifically prescribed, or when local con¬ 
 ditions make the prescribed practice impracticable, they shall be met by methods that will provide 
 equivalent security and protection of life and property. 
 
 Wires covered by these specifications shall not carry more than 550 volts. 
 
 2. DRAWINGS. 
 
 Complete drawings shall be furnished in duplicate before construction is commenced. 
 These drawings shall show the general plan of the right of way, tracks, and wires to be crossed 
 and the construction proposed, including the locations of the poles supporting the crossing span and 
 the adjoining spans on either side of the crossing span, the number, kind and size of wires, and 
 the proposed clearances of the existing tracks and wires. 
 
 3. LOCATION OF POLES. 
 
 (a) Spans crossing railroad rights of way preferably should be supported upon poles placed 
 outside of the right of way; but spans over tracks, and one span adjoining them on each side, should 
 not exceed one hundred and twenty-five (125) feet in length. When impracticable to obtain a 
 span of 125 feet the length of the crossing span shall be as short as practicable, but shall not exceed 
 175 feet, and the material, size and sag of conductors shall meet the requirements hereinafter 
 specified. When the span length exceeds 125 feet the spans adjoining the crossing span should 
 not exceed 110 feet. 
 
 (b) Wherever practicable, the poles supporting the crossing span and the adjoining span 
 on each side thereof shall be in a straight line and the angle between the crossing line and the rail¬ 
 road tracks or pole line shall not be less than forty-five (45) degrees. 
 
 (c) The poles shall be located as far as practicable from inflammable materials or structures. 
 
 (d) The side clearance shall not be less than eight (8) feet from the nearest rail of the main 
 track nor less than six (6) feet from the nearest rail of any side track. 
 
 4. POSITION AND CLEARANCE OF WIRES AND CABLES. 
 
 (a) Wires and cables shall give a clearance of not less than twenty-five (25) feet above 
 the rail, under the most unfavorable conditions of temperature and loading. 
 
 (b) The clearance of wires and cables from any existing wire shall not be less than two (2) 
 feet, under the most unfavorable conditions of temperature and loading. 
 
 5. POLES. 
 
 Wooden poles shall be of one piece of selected timber, peeled, reasonably straight, and free 
 from defects which would decrease their strength or durability. Poles of various kinds of timber 
 shall have the following dimensions at the top and six (6) feet from the butt: 
 
 EASTERN WHITE CEDAR: 
 
 Length 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Over 
 
 
 of Poles 
 
 12 Wires 
 
 20 Wires 
 
 40 Wires 
 
 80 Wires 
 
 Minimum Top Circumference. 
 
 
 17 X" 
 
 18#" 
 
 22" 
 
 24" 
 
 Minimum Circumference 6 Feet from Butt 
 
 20' 
 
 25K" 
 
 27" 
 
 
 
 
 22' 
 
 27" 
 
 28^" 
 
 30" 
 
 
 
 25' 
 
 28" 
 
 30" 
 
 32" 
 
 36" 
 
 
 30' 
 
 31" 
 
 33" 
 
 36" 
 
 40" 
 
 
 35' 
 
 34" 
 
 36" 
 
 38" 
 
 43" 
 
 
 40' 
 
 37" 
 
 40" 
 
 43" 
 
 47" 
 
 
 45' 
 
 40" 
 
 43" 
 
 47" 
 
 50" 
 
 
 50' 
 
 42' 
 
 46" 
 
 50" 
 
 53" 
 
 
 55' 
 
 45" 
 
 49" 
 
 53" 
 
 56" 
 
 
 60' 
 
 
 52" 
 
 56" 
 
 59" 
 
 1 
 
WESTERN CEDAR: 
 
 Minimum Top Circumference. 
 
 Minimum Circumference 6 Feet from Butt 
 
 CHESTNUT: 
 
 Minimum Top Circumference. 
 
 Minimum Circumference 6 Feet from Butt 
 
 OTHER KINDS: 
 
 Length 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Over 
 
 of Poles 
 
 12 Wires 
 
 20 Wires 
 
 40 Wires 
 
 80 Wires 
 
 
 18#" 
 
 22" 
 
 25" 
 
 28" 
 
 20' 
 
 24" 
 
 26" 
 
 
 
 22 ' 
 
 25" 
 
 27" 
 
 30" 
 
 
 25 ' 
 
 26" 
 
 28" 
 
 31" 
 
 34" 
 
 30 ' 
 
 28" 
 
 30" 
 
 34" 
 
 37" 
 
 35 ' 
 
 30" 
 
 32" 
 
 36" 
 
 40" 
 
 40 ' 
 
 32" 
 
 34" 
 
 38" 
 
 43" 
 
 45 ' 
 
 34" 
 
 36" 
 
 40" 
 
 45" 
 
 50 ' 
 
 36" 
 
 38" 
 
 42" 
 
 47" 
 
 55 ' 
 
 38" 
 
 40" 
 
 44" 
 
 49" 
 
 60' 
 
 39" 
 
 41" 
 
 46" 
 
 52 " 
 
 Length 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Over 
 
 Not Ovei 
 
 of Poles 
 
 12 Wires 
 
 20 Wires 
 
 40 Wires 
 
 80 Wires 
 
 
 20" 
 
 20" 
 
 22" 
 
 24 "* 
 
 20' 
 
 24" 
 
 27" 
 
 
 
 22' 
 
 25" 
 
 28#" 
 
 31" 
 
 
 25 ' 
 
 27" 
 
 30" 
 
 33" 
 
 37" 
 
 30 ' 
 
 31" 
 
 33" 
 
 36" 
 
 40" 
 
 35 ' 
 
 35" 
 
 36" 
 
 40" 
 
 43" 
 
 40 ' 
 
 39" 
 
 40" 
 
 43" 
 
 45" 
 
 45 ' 
 
 43" 
 
 43" 
 
 47" 
 
 48" 
 
 50 ' 
 
 46" 
 
 46" 
 
 50" 
 
 51" 
 
 55 ' 
 
 
 49" 
 
 53" 
 
 54" 
 
 60 ' 
 
 
 
 56" 
 
 57" 
 
 * 55 ' and 60' poles to carry not 
 
 over 80 wires, 22". 
 
 Poles of other kinds of timber or other material and construction shall have at least the same 
 strength and durability as those specified above. 
 
 6. WIRE LOADS. 
 
 Each aerial telegraph, telephone or signal wire shall be counted as one wire, without regard 
 to size or kind, up to and including No. 8 B. W. G. Wires of larger size shall be considered as the 
 number of No. 8 B. W. G. copper wires to which they are equivalent in weight. The number of 
 aerial wires equivalent to a cable shall be determined by multiplying the circumference of the 
 cable, in inches, by three (3). 
 
 Each twisted pair shall be considered as one wire and each messenger wire supporting 
 twisted pair wiring shall be considered as one wire. Not more than two messenger wires shall be 
 attached to either pole of the crossing span. 
 
 7. SETTING POLES. 
 
 Poles shall be set to the following depths: 
 
 Length Depth in Depth in 
 
 of Poles Earth Solid Rock 
 
 20' 
 
 4' 
 
 3' 
 
 22' 
 
 4#' 
 
 3' 
 
 25' 
 
 5' 
 
 3' 
 
 30' 
 
 5#' 
 
 3# 1 
 
 35' 
 
 6' 
 
 4' 
 
 40' 
 
 6' 
 
 4' 
 
 45' 
 
 6#' 
 
 4#' 
 
 50' 
 
 7' 
 
 4 #' 
 
 55' 
 
 7#' 
 
 5' 
 
 60' 
 
 8' 
 
 5' 
 
 2 
 
Great care shall be taken to secure firm foundations. Exposure to washouts shall be avoided. 
 Poles should not be set in a sloping bank, but if it be unavoidable, the depth of each hole shall be 
 measured from the lowest side of the opening. When the slope of the bank is greater than forty- 
 five (45) degrees, or when the earth is so soft that it is possible that the pole may press out of the 
 bank, the pole shall be set six (6) inches deeper than is specified in the above table. Wherever 
 ordinary methods do not provide secure setting for poles, artificial foundations and extraordinary 
 methods shall be used to secure stability. 
 
 Holes shall be dug large enough to admit the poles without stabbing or hewing and shall 
 be full size at the bottom to allow the use of tampers. The dirt shall be filled in evenly around the 
 poles and thoroughly tamped as the holes are filled. Soil shall then be piled around the poles 
 above the surface and firmly packed. Poles set in rock shall have the rock firmly wedged around 
 them. 
 
 8. FITTING POLES. 
 
 The top of each pole shall be roofed. 
 
 On round poles gains shall be provided for all cross arms. They shall be of proper width 
 for the cross arms used, and one-half (£) inch deep. 
 
 The center of the upper gain shall be at least ten (10) inches below the apex of the roof. 
 
 9. GUYS. 
 
 (a) Poles supporting the crossing span shall be side-guyed in both directions, if practica¬ 
 ble, and be head-guyed away from the crossing span. Braces may be used instead of guys. 
 
 (b) Guys, shall be of galvanized steel wire or stranded steel cable, and their strength and 
 number shall be as follows: 
 
 Number of Wires 
 
 Strength and Number 
 of Head Guys 
 
 Strength and Number 
 of Side Guys 
 
 1 to 2 inclusive 1 No. 6 B. W. G. steel wire. 1 No. 6 B. W. G. steel 
 
 wire each side. 
 
 3 to 12 inclusive 1 4000 pounds. 1 4000 pounds each side. 
 
 13 to 40 inclusive 1 6000 pounds. 1 6000 pounds each side. 
 
 41 to 50 inclusive 1 10000 pounds or 2 6000 pounds 1 6000 pounds each side. 
 
 51 to 80 inclusive 1 16000 pounds or 2 10000 pounds 1 10000 pounds or 
 
 2 6000 pounds each side. 
 
 Guys shall be attached to galvanized iron rods of the following dimensions: 
 
 SIZE OF GUY SIZE OF GUY ROD 
 
 No. 6 B. W. G. steel wire.6' x 
 
 4000 lbs. strand.6' x 
 
 6000 lbs. strand.8' x §" 
 
 10000 lbs. strand or two 6000 lbs. strand.8' x §" 
 
 16000 lbs. strand or two 10000 lbs. strand.9' x f" 
 
 (c) Anchor rods shall be fastened to anchor logs of sound materials. Excavations in earth 
 for anchor logs shall be of the dimensions given in the following table, depending on the sizes of 
 guy rods and anchor logs used: 
 
 3 
 
Number of 
 Guy Rods 
 
 Size of 
 Guy Rods 
 
 Depth of Excava- Length and Breadth 
 tion for Anchor of Anchor Logs 
 
 Logs 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 ^ inch 
 
 f inch 
 
 f inch 
 
 f inch 
 
 ' 4* ft. 
 
 5 ft. x 6 
 
 4 “ / 5 “ x 8 
 
 17"x6 
 
 3§ “ 
 
 5 “ x 12 
 7 “ x 9 
 9 “ x 7 
 
 6 ft. 
 
 5 ft. x 10 
 7 “ x 7 
 
 5 “ 
 
 5 “ x 16 
 8 “ x 10 
 
 4 “ 
 
 5 “ x 23 
 8 “ x 14 
 10 “ x 12 
 
 6 ft. 
 
 ' 5 ft. x 14 
 
 6 “ x 12 
 
 7 “ x 10 
 
 5 “ 
 
 6 “ x 16 
 
 8 “ x 14 
 
 9 “ x 12 
 
 6 ft. 
 
 6 ft. x 16 
 
 8 “ x 14 
 
 9 “ x 12 
 
 1 
 
 £ inch 
 
 6 ft. 
 
 6 ft. x 12 in. 
 
 The length and width of each excavation shall be as small as possible, especially at the 
 surface of the ground. 
 
 (d) Guy stubs may be used only where it is necessary to raise guys above obstacles or to 
 prevent the obstruction of thoroughfares. They shall be good, strong poles. In no case shall 
 the guy stub be smaller in diameter at the top than the pole it supports. They shall be set to 
 lean away from the poles they reinforce, and shall be anchor guyed with guys equivalent to the 
 pole guys of the poles they support except that when a stub cannot be anchored an extra large stub 
 shall be used and it shall be set at least six (6) feet in the ground and be braced by a footing or 
 underground brace of proper dimensions. 
 
 In general, the method of anchoring, location of anchors and depth and character of setting 
 shall be such as will render effective the full strength of the guy. 
 
 Guy anchors shall be placed at a distance from the poles they reinforce, measured at the 
 ground line, of not less than one-third (£) the height of the guy above the ground at the pole. 
 
 On poles carrying one or two cross arms, both head and side guys shall be attached under 
 the upper cross arm. On poles carrying more than two cross arms the first head guy shall be 
 attached below the second cross arm and successive head guys under the fourth and sixth cross 
 arms. On poles carrying more than two cross arms, side guys shall be attached below the second 
 cross arm. 
 
 4 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2017 with funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates 
 
 https://archive.org/details/specificationsfoOOasso 
 
Stranded guys shall be attached to guy rods with thimbles and fastened as shown in the 
 following table: 
 
 Number of Clamps 
 
 Kind of Strand 
 
 4,000 lbs. 
 6,000 lbs. 
 10,000 lbs. 
 16,000 lbs. 
 
 Dead Ended on 
 Pole or Stub 
 
 1 two-bolt or 1 three-bolt 
 
 1 three-bolt 
 
 2 three-bolt 
 2 three-bolt 
 
 Dead Ended on 
 Thimble 
 
 1 two-bolt or 1 three-bolt 
 
 1 three-bolt 
 
 2 three-bolt 
 
 3 three-bolt 
 
 The end of the guy attached to the pole shall be wrapped twice around the pole, and the 
 wrapping held in place on the back of the pole by staples or their equivalent. 
 
 (e) Braces shall have top dimensions not less than the top dimensions of the poles they 
 reinforce. Each brace shall be set so that the “ lead ” will not be less than one-third (|) the height 
 of the brace above the ground, measured horizontally at the ground line, of the pole supported, 
 shall be attached to the pole it braces, for one arm, just below the first gain, for two arms, just 
 below the second gain, for four arms or more, just below the fourth gain, and be fastened by a 
 cross arm bolt placed at the lower end of the heel bevel where the brace is in contact with the pole. 
 
 The butt of each push brace shall be set at least three and one-half (3^) feet in the ground 
 and be supported on planks, logs, large stones or solid rock ledge. 
 
 The butt of each push and pull brace shall be set to a depth of at least six (6) feet in the 
 ground and a cross log at least five (5) feet long and not less than eight (8) inches in diameter shall 
 be attached to it by a cross arm bolt not less than eight (8) inches from the butt of the brace. When 
 the pole carries more than twenty (20) wires, five (5) wraps of No. 8 B. W. G. galvanized iron wire 
 shall be placed around the pole and brace immediately below their junction. 
 
 10. CROSS ARMS. 
 
 (a) Description. 
 
 Wooden cross arms shall be of sound material, preferably Western fir of cross-section not 
 less than 2^"x3^" for six (6) foot arms or shorter, for arms longer than six feet. Other 
 
 timber may be used provided it is equal to Western fir of these dimensions in strength and durability. 
 Arms shall not exceed ten (10) feet in length and shall not support more than ten (10) wires. 
 
 (b) Method of attaching to poles. 
 
 Double cross arms shall be used on all the poles supporting crossing spans and shall be so 
 attached as to be maintained at right angles to the poles. Each pole shall be gained on both sides 
 and each pair of cross arms fastened to the pole with one five-eighths (f) inch cross arm or through 
 bolt. Cross arm braces must be attached to at least one of each pair of double cross arms. Blocks 
 of the same section as and preferably consisting of pieces of cross arms or of iron pipe, of such length 
 as to fit tightly, shall be placed between each pair of double arms and eight (8) inches from each 
 end thereof and secured in place by five-eighths (f) inch cross arm or through bolts extending 
 through both arms and lengthwise through the blocks or pipes. Each bolt shall be provided with 
 two square washers, one to be placed under the head of the bolt and the other between the 
 nut and the cross arm. When pipe is used two additional washers shall be provided, one to be 
 placed at each end of the pipe. 
 
 (c) Cross arm braces. 
 
 Cross arm braces shall be steel or iron not less than A^xl 1 'V"x26" long, each secured to the 
 pole by a fetter drive screw or lag bolt not less than and to the cross arm by a lag bolt not 
 
 less than 2 } 4 " long or a carriage bolt not less than 4"x§", except that when the arms are so 
 spaced that the braces cannot be attached to the poles in this manner, they shall be fastened verti¬ 
 cally to the arms at points situated two-thirds of the distance from the center of the pole to the end 
 of the arm, and in addition a pair of braces shall be attached in the usual manner to the bottom arm 
 and the pole. 
 
 11. PINS. 
 
 The pins used on the arms next to the crossing shall be of steel, combination wood and 
 metal or locust. 
 
 5 
 
(a) Steel pins. 
 
 A steel pin may be a steel spindle 8fexcept shoulder, which is f" with \yi" base, 
 together with round washer, nut and cap of split oak wood, or other device of equal strength and 
 durability. 
 
 (b) Combination wood and metal pins. 
 
 A combination wood and metal pin may be a wooden pin, minimum diameter of shank 
 , maximum length 9", with a hole bored lengthwise through its center in which is inserted a 
 yZ" bolt, 10" long, equipped with a lyi" washer, or other device of equal strength and durability. 
 The wood in the pin shall be equal to locust in strength and durability. 
 
 (c) Locust pins. 
 
 Locust pins are to be of sound straight grain locust, minimum cross section of shank 
 \yi", maximum length 8". 
 
 12. HARDWARE. 
 
 All pole line hardware shall be galvanized; and when exposed to corrosive influences 
 materially greater than those resulting from the action of the natural elements, steel pins shall be 
 galvanized, or heavier pins than the standard specified in section 10 of these specifications shall 
 be used. Galvanizing shall be applied in accordance with the specifications for galvanizing iron 
 and steel shown in the appendix. 
 
 13. INSULATORS. 
 
 Each insulator shall be of such pattern and design that when mounted it will withstand, 
 without injury or without being pulled off the pin, the maximum stress to which it will be subjected 
 with conductor attached, under the most unfavorable conditions of temperature and loading. 
 
 14. WIRE. 
 
 (a) Kinds and sizes. 
 
 The line wires in the crossing span and in the next adjoining span on each side thereof shall 
 be of galvanized iron, hard drawn copper, or of copper covered steel of specifications satisfactory to 
 the parties. Iron wire shall not be used where the exposure to corrosive influences is materially 
 greater than that resulting from the action of the natural elements. The minimum size of wire 
 which may be used at any crossing shall be as given in the following table: 
 
 GALVANIZED 
 
 LENGTH OF CROSSING SPAN IRON WIRE 
 
 HARD DRAWN 
 COPPER WIRE 
 
 150 feet or less. No. 10 B. W. G. No. 10B.&S. 
 
 151 feet to 175 feet. No. 8 B. W. G. No. 9B.&S. 
 
 Twisted pair wire, when not supported by messenger wire, shall be of hard drawn tinned 
 copper, not smaller than No. 14 B. & S. Gauge, or of tinned copper covered steel of specifications 
 satisfactory to the parties, not smaller than No. 17 B. & S .Gauge. In no case shall twisted pair 
 wire be used in spans longer than one hundred (100) feet without a messenger wire support. 
 
 No joint or splice shall be permitted in any of the crossing spans. 
 
 (b) Sags. 
 
 The minimum sag of wires in crossing spans shall correspond to the span length and the 
 temperature at which it is strung, as specified in the following table: 
 
 TEMPERATURE 
 
 
 LENGTH OF SPAN 100° F 
 
 80° F 
 
 60° F 
 
 40° F 
 
 20° F 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 -20° F 
 
 75'.. 
 
 . 4K" 
 
 3" 
 
 2^" 
 
 2" 
 
 2" 
 
 1#" 
 
 1" 
 
 100'.. 
 
 . 7" 
 
 5}4" 
 
 4>£" 
 
 4" 
 
 3" 
 
 2^" 
 
 2" 
 
 115'.. 
 
 . 9" 
 
 7" 
 
 5 y 2 " 
 
 4^" 
 
 3^" 
 
 3" 
 
 2^" 
 
 125'.. 
 
 . 11" 
 
 8j^" 
 
 7" 
 
 6" 
 
 5" 
 
 4" 
 
 3^" 
 
 150'.. 
 
 . 14" 
 
 11^" 
 
 9" 
 
 I'A" 
 
 6 y 2 " 
 
 5^" 
 
 5" 
 
 175'.. 
 
 . 18" 
 
 (c) Method of attaching. 
 
 15" 
 
 12" 
 
 10" 
 
 9" 
 
 TA” 
 
 6 W 
 
 Each wire shall be attached to each insulator of its pair upon the double arm. 
 
 6 
 
(d) Ties. 
 
 Tie wires for copper or copper covered steel line wire shall be of the same gauge as the line 
 wire and of soft copper or of hard drawn copper which has been thoroughly annealed. Iron tie 
 wires for No. 8 B. W. G. line wire or larger shall be No. 9 B. W. G. For smaller sizes of iron wire 
 the tie wires shall be of the same gauge as the line wires. 
 
 15. CABLES. 
 
 (a) Size of Strand. 
 
 Galvanized steel stranded cable having a breaking strength of not less than 6000 pounds shall 
 be used to support conductor cable of 50 pairs of No. 19 B. & S. Gauge copper wire or its equiva¬ 
 lent and smaller, of not less than 10,000 pounds breaking strength for pairs in excess thereof up to 
 100 pairs No. 19 B. & S. Gauge copper wire or its equivalent, and not less than 16,000 pounds 
 breaking strength for larger sizes. 
 
 (b) Sag. 
 
 Cables shall be suspended with minimum sag as follows: 
 
 SPAN 
 
 MINIMUM SAG 
 
 IN FEET 
 
 80 or less 
 
 90. 
 
 100 . 
 
 110 . 
 
 120 . 
 
 130. 
 
 140. 
 
 150. 
 
 175. 
 
 IN INCHES 
 
 .16 
 
 . 20 
 
 .22 
 
 .26 
 
 .30 
 
 .34 
 
 .40 
 
 .44 
 
 .62 
 
 16. INSPECTION. 
 
 Every facility for the inspection of the materials and workmanship shall be furnished the 
 Railroad Company. 
 
 17. MAINTENANCE. 
 
 The crossing shall be maintained in safe condition. The poles, cross arms, insulators, guys, 
 wires and other parts and materials used in the structure of the crossing shall be periodically 
 inspected and all defects shall be promptly repaired by the owner of the line. The guys and 
 anchors shall be maintained so that the guys are kept taut and serve the purpose for which they 
 are intended. The line wires shall be kept to the proper sag. Underbrush, grass, or other 
 inflammable material shall be kept removed from the poles for a sufficient distance to reduce the 
 fire hazard to the minimum. 
 
 7 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 SPECIFICATIONS FOR GALVANIZING FOR IRON OR STEEL. 
 
 These specifications give in detail the test to be applied to galvanized material. All speci¬ 
 mens shall be capable of withstanding these tests. 
 
 A. Coating. The galvanizing shall consist of a continuous coating of pure zinc of uniform 
 thickness, and so applied that it adheres firmly to the surface of the iron or steel. The finished 
 product shall be smooth. 
 
 B. Cleaning. The samples shall be cleaned before testing, first with carbona, benzine or 
 turpentine, and cotton waste (not with a brush), and then thoroughly rinsed in clean water and 
 wiped dry with clean cotton waste. 
 
 The sample shall be clean and dry before each immersion in the solution. 
 
 C. Solution. The standard solution of copper sulphate shall consist of commercial copper 
 sulphate crystals dissolved in cold water, about in the proportion of thirty-six parts, by weight, 
 of crystals to 100 parts, by weight, of water. The solution shall be neutralized by the addition of 
 an excess of chemically pure cupric oxide (CuO). The presence of an excess of cupric oxide will 
 be shown by the sediment of this reagent at the bottom of the containing vessel. 
 
 The neutralized solution shall be filtered before using by passing through filter paper. The 
 filtered solution shall have a specific gravity of 1.186 at 65 degrees Fahrenheit (reading the scale 
 at the level of the solution) at the beginning of each test. In case the filtered solution is high in 
 specific gravity, clean water shall be added to reduce the specific gravity to 1.186 at 65 degrees 
 Fahrenheit. In case the filtered solution is low in specific gravity, filtered solution of a higher 
 specific gravity shall be added to make the specific gravity 1.186 at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 
 
 As soon as the stronger solution is taken from the vessel containing the unfiltered neutralized 
 stock solution, additional crystals and water must be added to the stock solution. An excess of 
 cupric oxide shall always be kept in the unfiltered stock solution. 
 
 D. Quantity of Solution. Wire samples shall be tested in a glass jar of at least two (2) inches 
 inside diameter. The jar without the wire samples shall be filled with standard solution to a depth 
 of at least four (4) inches. Hardware samples shall be tested in a glass or earthenware jar contain¬ 
 ing at least one-half pint of standard solution for each hardware sample. 
 
 Solution shall not be used for more than one series of four immersions. 
 
E. Samples. Not more than seven wires shall be simultaneously immersed, and not more 
 than one sample of galvanized material other than wire shall be immersed in the specified quantity 
 of solution. 
 
 The samples shall not be grouped or twisted together, but shall be well separated so as to per¬ 
 mit the action of the solution to be uniform upon all immersed portions of the samples. 
 
 F. Test. Clean and dry samples shall be immersed in the required quantity of standard 
 solution in accordance with the following cycle of immersions. 
 
 The temperature of the solution shall be maintained between 62 degrees and 68 degrees Fahren¬ 
 heit at all times during the following test: 
 
 First. Immerse for one minute, wash and wipe dry. 
 
 Second. Immerse for one minute, wash and wipe dry. 
 
 Third. Immerse for one minute, wash and wipe dry. 
 
 Fourth. Immerse for one minute, wash and wipe dry. 
 
 After each immersion the samples shall be immediately washed in clean water having a temper¬ 
 ature between 62 degrees and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and wiped dry with cotton waste. 
 
 G. Rejection. If after the test described in Section “F” there should be a bright metallic 
 copper deposit upon the samples, the lot represented by the sample shall be rejected. 
 
 Copper deposits on zinc or within one inch of the cut end shall not be considered causes for 
 rejection. 
 
 In the case of a failure of only one wire in a group of seven wires immersed together, or if there 
 is a reasonable doubt as to the copper deposit, two check tests shall be made on these seven wires 
 and the lot reported in accordance with the majority of the sets of tests. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The equipment necessary for the tests herein outlined is as follows: 
 
 Filter paper. 
 
 Commercial copper sulphate crystals. 
 
 Chemically pure cupric oxide (CuO). 
 
 Running water. 
 
 Warm water or ice as per needs. 
 
 Carbona, benzine or turpentine. 
 
 Glass jars at least two inches inside diameter by at least four and one-half inches high. 
 
 Glass or earthenware jars for hardware samples. 
 
 Vessel for washing samples. 
 
 Tray for holding jars of stock solution. 
 
 Jars, bottles and porcelain basket for stock solution. 
 
 Cotton waste. 
 
 Hydrometer cylinder three inches diameter by fifteen inches high. 
 
 Thermometer with large Fahrenheit scale correct at 62 and 68 degrees. 
 
 Hydrometer correct at 1.186 at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 
 
JOINT COMMITTEE 
 
 G. A. CELLAR, Chairman, Superintendent of Telegraph, Pennsylvania Lines West of Pittsburgh, 
 Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 
 C. C. ANTHONY, Assistant Signal Engineer, Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and Member 
 Railway Signal Association, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 W. W. ASHALD, Superintendent of Telegraph, Grand Trunk Railway System, Montreal, Quebec. 
 
 WM. BENNETT, Superintendent of Telegraph, Chicago and North Western Railway Company, 
 Chicago, Illinois. 
 
 W. I. CAPEN, Fourth Vice-President, Postal Telegraph-Cable Company, New York City. 
 
 R. E. CHETWOOD, Plant Engineer, The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York City. 
 M. H. CLAPP, Superintendent of Telegraph, Northern Pacific Railway Company, St. Paul, Minn. 
 
 G. A. DORNBERG, Chief Lineman, Pennsylvania Lines West of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 
 S. A. D. FORRISTALL, Superintendent of Telegraph, Boston & Maine Railroad Company, 
 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
 E. C. KEENAN, General Superintendent of Telegraph, New York Central Lines West of Buffalo, 
 
 Chicago, Illinois. 
 
 V. T. KISSINGER, Superintendent of Telegraph, C., B. & Q. Ry. Company, Chicago, Illinois. 
 
 F. L. RHODES, Outside Plant Engineer, American Telephone and Telegraph Company, New 
 
 York City. 
 
 C. SELDEN, Superintendent of Telegraph, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, Baltimore, 
 Maryland. 
 
 J. M. WALDRON, Signal Engineer, Interborough Rapid Transit Company, and Member Railway 
 Signal Association, New York City. 
 
 H. S. WARREN, Electrical Engineer, American Telephone and Telegraph Company, New York City. 
 
 L. S. WELLS, Superintendent of Telegraph and Electricity, Long Island Railroad Company, New 
 York City. 
 

subject: 
 
 Specifications for Telephone, Telegraph, and similar wires 
 
 crossing Railroads, 
 
 American Telephone and Telegraph Company. 
 
 15 Dey Street. , 
 
 J CARTY, 
 
 CHIEF ENGINEER. 
 
 NewYork. July 21, 1913. 
 
 Mr. George A. Cellar, Chairman, Wire Crossing Committee, 
 Association Of Railway Telegraph Superintendents, 
 
 1003 Penn Avenue, 
 Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 
 Dear Sir:- 
 
 Replying to your letter of -the 11th of this month 
 regarding the specifications for crossings of wires or cables 
 of telegraph, telephone, signal, and other circuits of similar 
 character over steam railroad rights of way, tracks, or lines of 
 wires of the same classes, drawn by the Wire Crossing Committee of 
 the Association of Railway Telegraph Superintendents and accepted 
 by that Association in convention during May of this year, I will 
 state that the above mentioned specifications have the approval of 
 this department. 
 
 FLR./NFS 
 
POSTAL TELEGRAPH-CABLE COMPANY. 
 
 EXECUTIVE OFFICES, 
 253 Broadway. 
 
 I. CAPEN 
 
 FOURTH VICE'PRC SIDt NT 
 
 New York, July 19th, 1913. 
 
 Mr. G. A. Cellar, 
 
 Chairman, Wire Crossing Committee, 
 
 Association of Railway Telegraph Supts., 
 
 1003 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 
 Dear Sir:- 
 
 I thank you for the copy of the specifications for low 
 tension wire crossings, which you forwarded me on July 11th. 
 
 These specifications are satisfactory to the Postal 
 Telegraph-Cable Company, and you have our permission to show 
 adoption of the same, by our Company, on the supply which you 
 are about to have printed. 
 
 When the specifications are ready for distribution, 
 
 I would like to arrange to secure 25 or 30 copies. 
 
 Yours very truly. 
 
 wic-mfm 
 
Sub: Wire Crossing Specifications. 
 
 The Western Union Telegraph Company 
 
 195 Broadway 
 
 GEORGE M. YORK E, 
 
 GENE RAL SUPERINTENDENT OF PLANT 
 
 New York July 24, 1913. 
 3-S 
 
 Mr. G. A. Cellar, Chairman, 
 
 Committee on Wire Crossings, 
 
 Association of Railway Telegraph Sup'ts., 
 Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 
 Dear Sir:- 
 
 Referring to the Low Tension Wire 
 Crossing Specifications prepared by the Committee 
 of which you are Chairman, I would say that these 
 specifications are satisfactory to the Western 
 Union Telegraph Company and will be followed by 
 this Company in crossings of its pole lines over 
 railroad rights-of-way. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 W/V 
 
 Gen'l. Sup't. of Plant. 
 
 REC.V