Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-02-09

tlmbers. The inner or main rails which are
six by twelve inches, lie parallel, with four
feet and nine inches space, this work to be
pinned or bolted with half inch round iron.
On each edge Of this rail the power is applied
by gear from driving wheel. Intervening
openings are made through the edge Of this
main rail, three inches deep by three and one
fifth inches wide, leaving ten inches of wood,
to act as a cog for friction roller, or round,
for gearing thereto. The cogs are fifteen to
the rod or thirteen and one-fifth inches space
This rail to be automatically correct is cut
by machine formed for the purpose, requir-
ing less power than to saw the rails. For
the more permanent security Of this rail,
and as tread and guide for the wheels, the
top is faced between the cogs with suitable
wood, two by six inches. The power is ap-
piled TO the driving wheel having thirty
rounds on the inside of each rim which is ten
and fifty-tour hundredths feet in diameter,
gearing into each side of the main rail about
four inches deep by friction rollers or rounds,
which are about two and three-quarters inches
in diameter and three inches in length, set
upon journals about one and half inches in
diameter extending from the inside Of each
rim of the wheel. The outer. rim Of this
wheel if of cast iron is attached to wrought
iron plates with strong supports from its cen
ter, to which the power is applied, and re-
quires the space of thirteen and one-fourth
inches for the railing Of thirteen and one-ffth
inches. The common wheels are two and
One-half feet in diameter, with rims seven
inches wide. Small wheels are set near the
driving wheel 10 receive a portion Of its
weight The cars are formed of plate iron,
somewhat warped for support. BY this plan
no weight is intended except what is actually
proper to produce the power on the driving
wheel. The cars are separately made for the
driving wheel, for the engine, for the boiler,
and for the fuel and water All of these are
connected by plate of warped iron, convex
up, five inches wide and one fourth of an
inch thick, allowing One-fourth at one corner,
and one-half of an inch at the opposite corner
of the cars for their swerving. The thickness
Of the plate should be increased at the engine
This plate is Tapped and riveted and made on
n straight line about three feet longer than the
whole length Of the train, and fitted TO the
bottom of the cars between their centre and
the driving wheel. For starting the load
from dead stand upon this wooden rail, and
for more effectually guiding the cars upon it,
and TO assist in preventing the vibratOry mo
ton of the sectional parts, they are provided
with rolling grooves for this plate to glide
through. Stops are made on the fore and aft
end Of the plate, SO that each division may be !
started separately by impulse from the main
body or engine, each division having such |
space as may be required. This plate acts as
back bone for the whole body of the train
The above specification may .snfice, and we
will now consider the amount of lumber for a |
double track of two thousand miles. There
are 10, $50, 900 feet in that distance. The |
rails and the by 6 facing will be 90 feet per
foot in length, board measure, making 2ll,-
200, 900 feet, which at ten dollars per thousand,
when fitted to lay, amounts to $2,1l2,OOO.
The foundation, timbers and cross timbers are |
equal, and amount to "a, 100000 feet in
length, which at one dollar per hundred, will
be 1914 800. -4: t-
| did claim southern latitude on account |
of SHOWS, ice and timber, yet there is no fear
of sliding and SHOWS will not be difficult to |
remove as the rails will be near two feet above |
the ground. This gearing will ascend OF de-
scend two or three times as much as with the
iron rail, and with effort ten times as great. |
There are four cogs in gear, supporting
draft of twelve thousand pounds, and more, if |
required. The main rail is two inches high
est and intended to receive the greatest weight |
which should be distributed throughout the |
train. The motion is checked at the sides of
the driving wheel and at other wheels if re-
quired.
Having in view the Pacific railroad, deem
it Of vital interest to the United States to have
this road settled and by good citizens, such as
faithfully labor 10 complete the work. Saw
mills can be constructed in sufficient numbers
to furnish the lumber in one year. They can
be moved by wind either on prairies adjoining
timber lands or to float upon ponds Of water,
in addition to waterfalls, to furnish easily all
that is required. Either the Kennebec or the
Penobscot river could furnish as much in that
time Sawed lumber will also be required
for curbing many deep wells, and walllng
pass ways beneath the rails. These mills
can be leased, and will insure the settlement
Of the public lands upon this road. l claim
thirty miles per hour, although this gearing
admits of the greatest velocity with trifiing
friction A the rounds turn but three-fourths
Of an inch on their journals in passing in and
out of gear There will be no noise to pre- I
vent conversation, or jar to prevent the use Of