Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-07-29
directions for Building.

Make survey of the route, get a level MS near
as possible; allowing certain high ground to be
removed. This level is at the base, or six inches
above tho levcllng or foundation OF the road, and
called tho base level. Then strike another level
three feet six inches above, and place signals at
proper distances TO preserve arsEaight and level
line. This line is the guide Setting the posts,
or piling, and by which the - are squared off
on their top ends. The posts or piling are set OF
driven, according 10 the nature Of the ground, Ind
their lengshs determined by the variations of the
ground, from the last described level. The posts
or pilng should be of durable wood from twelve to
sixteen inches diameter, (round) and placed
about FIVE feet apart in direct line with each
other. When set as posts they should be put
down from three 10 four feet according 10 the hard
ness Of the earth. In soft ground they should be
driven as piling until they reach hard bottom.
The posts or piling being thus set in a straight
line, ditch is to be dug along tho base of them,
ON both sides, sufficient depth to sink long logs Or
sticks of timber; being two continued courses en-
bedded and close to the posts, with pieces Of tim
Der locked across from 10 the other, pkeep them
snug to the base Of the posts before embedding said
tmbers, key seats places for wedges are cut out
directly against each posts the posts are to be fat.
ted opposite the key sents SO receive the wedg-
es The timbers being firmly embedded in theground,
the wedges must be driven each side Of ench post
or pling, until they are perfectly tight and plumb;
this being done fill in the earth go as to keen tho
horizontal timbers and wedges from tho air, which
will prevent .heir rotting ;--pound in the earth
solid.
Where tho ground is low the piling Of course
becomes elevated; to secure them cross timbers
are locked into the horizontal logs, at tho bottom.
reaching off far enough for lateral brcces on each
side of the posts orpiling, these braces reaching
from the ends Of the said cross timbsrs up 10 the
base level or three feet six inches below the tops
ofthe post. When the posts are thus sat, KEYED IN.
blaced, squared off at the top, and hewed down on
two sides, three and half feet from the TOP.
leaving at least eight inches solid timber, observe.
"a feet below the top of the post make saw cut.
forming shoulder for the guide rails to rest upon
The posts are now ready to be mortisei or
throacd for the reception of the main or upper ra IL
which should be about TIRES inches thick, by ten
inches wide of hard strong wood: Therefore the
tops OF the posts should be throated three inches
wide and seven inches deep, to secure the rail
without cutting any OF it away, drive it down firm
ly to its place, and pin il there through the tons oil
the POSTS itshould then be dressed OF level. and
square with the perpendicular line Of the posts.
NOW Tor the gnlde rails below, which should DO of
hard smooth wood, about two and haif ;nche.
thick by six wide; these should be dressed o., one
side, the dressed side out, and fastened on ho,h
sides of the piling three and half feet from tbe
op railing, the ends to fit snug at the centre Of The
POSTS like making fence. Care should be t.k.n]
hat they retail. the same distance apart. from,
outside to outside, OH all points of the road ma,
he guide wheels of the locomotive and cars rr,
moothly over them. Its not necessary that these
nias raids should be ironed; for in all cases tha
nrface Of tho guide whesls should be smooth.
si9a ana ltealy hat on their psspheIies, as they
my occasionally como in contact with the guide