The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-11-10
a ONE-HORSE, ONE-RAIL, RAIL
ROAD.
Well Suited to Many Sections Of
North Carolina.

We have received from Mr.. T. b.
White, who is the Agent for North
Carolina, copies OF California paper,
giving account Of a singular Locomo-
tive, which IS thus described =
From Antioch (cal.9 Ledger, oct. %
The above engraving i a copy of the
first engine built according TO the plan
III the patented James Sinele-Track
Railway for the projected \. 4 G. Il.
Il. At the recent exhibition given on
the 9th instant, at Hanford. il came
fully up to the expectations of its pro-
i~ectors. II has power, speed, simplicity
OF construction for both cars aud road.
and especially commended itself as be-
ing a very safe and cheap of transport
tation.
The road-bed is similar to that for a
narrow gauge. On the ties are laid
two wooden rails, the best at;ainable, in
size SKIS inches square, OF 6xS. either
solid or inside rails, the latter for
curves. These rails are laid with two
inches space between, and fastened TO
the ties 10y an iron l.. This gives a
bearing surface on each rail Of ) inches,
or l6 inches in all. The locomotive
rests or two wheels Is inches wide.
From center Of surface Of wheels is q
tiange three inches high, which runs In
groove between rails. The lower part
Of frame of cars is three inches only
above rails. thus making center OF
gravity SO low as to guarantee no dan
ger # tipping. Side or bearing wheels
are inserted in frame of cars, and side
rails will be laid on bridges and trussel
work - as TO prevent any possible APP
~prehension Of tipping until the public
become accustomed to the system. The
weight OF the engine IS something less
than six tons, and is nearly six feet In
width and 23 feet in length. Freight.
and passenger cars will weigh TIVE tom
or less, and when loaded will approx
mate in weight to hat Of the engine.
Where lumber is expensive, or no hard
wood to be had. or there is a great
amount of freight traffic, 1t may be
found economical to use strap iron
threc-cighthS to one half inch In thick
ness by two to three inches IN wloth
counter-sunk i'll the rails. Should this
be done it will require one-third, or
less, as much iron as is required by a
hight narrow guagc, or me mn as much
Is Is required on the standard guage.
This kind Of a road, considering the
ven and wide bearing surface of rails,
will be found strong and durable, and
fully equal To any work required, at
the least, by any local road. The wooden
rails will be made water proof on tie
surface by the use of tar, or coal-tar.
The expense Of rolling-stock will be,
compared with the standard road, very
light. The weight of cars and strength
Of road can be increased or diminished
as may be required to suit the wants OF
freight and travel.
Il will be seen from the above de-
scription, which the exhibition has fully
confirmed, that this invention will be
utilized for local roads bet ween main
lines of railways james railway
within the local means of any produc-
tive community. In many of the East
ern and Southern States, where there
is yet vast areas of hard wood forests,
it can be very cheaply constructed, thus
opening mp productive sections, and
enhancing the value of land and build
ing up prosperous towns n cities.