Abstract
There is increased interest in the use of alloy steels by railroads. They are used purely as a matter of economics. Better work must be done at the same cost or the same work at less cost. The use of alloy miscellaneous castings materially cuts down weight with the same strength and same cost as carbon-steel castings. There are three ranges of steels: carbon steels are used for the vast majority of railroad purposes, with alloy steels for special applications, and semi-alloy steels, which are slightly more expensive than carbon steels and with slightly better properties, as a compromise. Some of their uses include boiler materials, forgings, and castings. Corrosion-resisting materials, nitriding, and miscellaneous metals are discussed and the economics of operation are given.
