Re: Sumpter Valley Time Table

Note that long tons (also known as gross tons) of 2240 pounds were the standard in the United States until the late 19th century, as well, and persisted in declining use well into the 20th century. I'm not sure exactly when the short ton (or net ton) came into use, but there's a lot of confusion in sources printed during the 1870's and 1880's as both types of ton were in common use--often without distinction made! Both gross and net tons are defined as twenty hundredweights. The difference is that with the gross ton, a hundredweight is 112 pounds, reduced to the more logical 100 pounds with the net ton. This also explains why the 56 pound/yard rail--a seemingly arbitrary size--was so common during the mid 19th century: it was 1/2 hundredweight per yard.