manganese frogs and tie length

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Hi:
Was wondering whether the N&W of the '50s used manganese-insert frogs in its 
turnouts and, also, what was the standard '50s crosstie-length -- 8', 8'6" 
or 9' or some other?
My HO track builders wanna know.
Thanx,
Andre Jackson and/or Lisa Burrows
Life is short; update your anti-virus software