Vigorous action had to be taken to permit of satisfactory service. This work has been energetically carried on with gratifying results insofar as economy, regularity and safety of transportation are concerned. Unfortunately, prices and scarcity of labor and material continued to increase until the latter part of 1920, with the result that the cost of performing this absolutely necessary work was abnormally high during the first two years. RAILS:--Most of the main line east of Winnipeg was laid with 80 or 85lb. rails, but many miles of main lines were still laid with rails on branch lines had to be replaced, on account of wear, and their inability to carry heavy cars. Parts of the main lines west of Winnipeg were already laid with 80 or 85lb. rail, but many miles of main lines were still laid with 60lb. rails which, on the more important traffic sections were replaced by 85lb. rails, and the lighter steel thus released was used on branch lines under construction. The installation of heavier new rails does not necessarily imply the scrapping of the rails that are taken up. They are generally used over and over again. In this way a large mileage previously laid with light rails has been equipped with 80 or 85lb. sections. The statement of new rails purchased for application during the years 1919, 1920, 1921 and ordered for 1922, follows:-- Year Tons Miles 1919 92,703 692.0 1920 67,238 532.0 1921 79,754 559.0 1922 (on order) 51,000 360.0 TIES:--The general condition of ties on the older lines, due to deferred maintenance during the war necessitated an abnormally high percentage of renewals. On the Eastern branch lines very large numbers of ties had to be installed immediately, to maintain traffic with reasonable safety. The situation was markedly aggravated because of a very large mileage constructed between 1910 and 1914 on which the original ties had to be largely replaced, the average life of untreated softwood ties being approximately eight years. The condition of ties on these lines of late construction is now approaching normal, and on the older lines is satisfactory. The new ties laid for maintenance and not for new construction, are as follows:-- Year Number Average Cost 1919 7,203,532 .73c 1920 7,245,035 .81c 1921 5,898,374 .85c 1922 (ordered) 4,500,000 .57c (to be applied) 5,500,000 BALLASTING:--A great deal of the mileage was insufficiently ballasted. Speed of trains was restricted, riding qualities were wholly unsatisfactory, and the expense of constantly restoring track to passable surface and alignment was unnecessarily high.