All lateral bracing, hitch plates, rivet heads in laterals, etc., should be kept enough below the level of the top chords of girders, stringers, etc., so that the ties when in place will not foul them, it being an expensive operation to notch ties to clear such obstructions.

Where laterals and hitch plates do not interfere with the loading of girders, and are not of such character as will allow them to be easily broken off, they should be riveted to the said girders; otherwise they should be shipped loose or riveted to the braces.

Particular attention should be given to the question of field riveting. Details should be closely examined with a view of minimizing the number of field rivets.

It is not advisable to put two shoes on one bed-plate; but if this cannot be avoided, the bed-plate should be made longer and the anchor holes should be slotted to allow for variations in masonry.

The following are the most important points to be observed in detailing, in order to facilitate and cheapen erection.

(a) Avoid as far as possible entering connections.

(b) See that proper clearances are given.

(c) Minimize the number of field rivets.

Viaducts

When the track is on a grade and the grade is not very steep, make the two bents of one tower alike by adding filler plates on the tops of the up-grade columns. For steep grades make the two bents of one tower the same length, but square the longitudinal bracing. A good detailer will then make the punching the same on all four columns of the tower, but the gusset plates which connect to the longitudinal bracing will be different for the two bents.

When designing columns for the towers, the splices should be indicated so that the column sections should, preferably, be under 40' long, but should not under any circumstances exceed 60'.

Where two deck girder spans are adjacent, the end cross-frames are placed close to the ends of the girders. The cross-frames cannot be set by swinging in from the end of the span. They must be erected by swinging in from the center of the span. The stiffener angles carrying the cross girders should be built with the back of the angles toward the center of the span.