Shorpy photo Steam era question

[Charlie B]

I would have to go with Faraway on this one. Occam's razor. The simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

There is no ballast, therefore the ties are bolted to the concrete. The center of the tie would serve no purpose, and so is eliminated to save material.

Just my thought process on the matter.

Dave

I don't think that works, why go to the expense and bother of bolts and concrete to save 2 foot of railroad tie, which at the time would have been about a quarter. there had to be a reason for it that makes more sense. the reinforcement for the concrete would have been more than the ties, and the labor intensive.
Charlie