Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-07-01
Dircctions tor Builaing.

ground, from the last described level. The posts
or pling 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 to 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 costs Or piling being thus set in straight
line. a:tc:r is to be dug along the base of them
or both aides. o. cicnt depth to sink long logs Oh
sticks of timber; being two continued courses en-
bedded and close to the posts, with pieces OF TIM
Der locked across from to tho other, okeep theh
snug to the bnse of the posts before embedding SAID
timbers key seats places for wedges are cut Out
directly against each post the posts to be fat
ted opposite the key seats to receive the wedg
es.The timbers being firmly embedded in theground,
the wedges must be driven each side each post
or pilMg, until they perfectly tight and plumb
this being done, fill in the earth so to keep the
horizontal timbers and wedges from the air, which
will prevent their rotting ;--pound in the earth
solid.
Whers the ground is low the piling of course
becomes elevated; to secure them cross timbers
are locked into the horizontal logs al tho bottom,
reaching off far enough for lateral braces on each
side of the posts piling, these braces reaching
from the ends of the said cross tmbers up to the
base level, three foot six inches below the tops
braced, squared Of at tho top, and hewed down OH
two sides, three and half feet from the top,
leaving Al least egh. inches solid timber, observe,
81 feet below the top of the post make q saw cut,
orming shoulder for the guide rails to rest upon.
Z The pests are ready "a. be mossissd or
threated for the reception of the main or upper rail-
which should be about three inches thick, by ten
inches wide of hard strong wood: Therefore the
tops Of the posts should be throated three inches
wids and seven inches deep, to secure the rail
without cutting any OF il away, drive It down irm-
" to it's place, and pin it there through the tops Of
the posts; Il should then be dressed off Lowell and
square with the perpendicular line Of the posts.
Now for the guide rails below, which should be of
hard smooth wood, about two and a half inches
thick by six wide; these should be dressed on one
side, tho dressed side out, and fastened on both
sides Of tho piling three and half feet from the
top railing, the ends to fit snug at the cenre Of the
posts like making fence. Care should be taken
that they retai,. the same distance apart, from
outside to outside, OH all points of the road, that
the su;de wheels of the locomotive and cars run
smoothly over them. Its not necessary that these
guide rails should be roned; for in all cases the
surface of the guide wheels should be smooth,
wide and nearly fiat Oh their perphercs, as they
only occasionally come in contact with the guide
rails; and then only with slight bearing. The
friction or wear will be but little, at the same time
ted snssd. The iron on the top rail may be varied,
(on different roads) according 10 tho wish of the
owners. il costing moro Of less, according 10 tho
weight of the iron; but if light and thin must be
the width of the railing, three inches. Tho rail
a before observed. must not only be of hard wood.
hut Of even temnerature. free Of knots or sap
The ron on Inc rails must be at the erds. be as-
,.nsd with i.ree wood screws IN tho middle. cour
tsr s,nt nails win do. This is to prevent tho
h..vv action and pressure Of the wheels from tear.
Inc IN the ends from the wood. If tho iron be
s,,onr Il NAV be Of different shapes, aud fastened
to me wood IN anv convenient manner, allowing
double DANCED wheels TO run, thereon, Less care
l. necessary in selecting tho wood, II your iron be
st,ono. IF stronr cast iron should DO used for the
wood NAV DO dispensed with, and the rails
NAV be- bolted directly on the top Of tho posts.
Tho s,rnouts are made principally in the form
OF rates which opsn to other pieces OF track, which
other pieces should curve little out; and placed
At I proper distance from the main tack, these
should Sc Of sulscient length TO retain q large
train Of cars wi,iie the o0poste train is passing;
by similar saie the FIRST train resumes its position
on the main track. These gates or turnouts arc
hung with stronxS azinses. and open and shut by q
moving love, up 81 down, at tho same time push