The Wilmingtonian., 1884-05-17
A wtImfngtonian's Invention.

Mr.. Thomas II. Roberts, residing at 409
East Tenth Street this city, has just receiv-
ed letters patent through Messrs. Snow &
Co., of Washington for divided axle car
truck. The axles as now used are subject
to severe horiz 'ntal strain in turning curves,
as the outer wheel has a larger arc to traverse,
compelling the wheel on the inner and
shorter circle to slip. The torsion of the
axle is very detrimental and the slipping is
equiv alent to grinding on the rail, thus
re Harding the speed of the train. To obviate
this, Mr.. Roberts has invented a Divided
Axle Car Truck. This truck differs but lit
tie in construction from those now in use,
except that four longitudinal bars areput into
position to carry the additional pedestals, the
main fea .ure of the invention being the dou-
bic Journals to each wheel, the inside ones
being made exactly as the outer, SO that the
same axle boxes and brasses now used
can be utilized without change of pattern in
any case. 1t will be seen at a glance that
the invention is thoroughly simple in it's con-
structiou, needing hut little alteration in
existing stock for its adoption; it also has
many advantages over anything yet intro
duced for the running of railroad wheels and
street cars, the object aimed at being the
Ii glt running, the case with which curves
are turned, also the great saving of metal in
tires and rails. 1t is well-known to railroad
men that the sharp fanges of tires result
from this cause, and that the frequent cases
of broken axles are due to the strain in run
ming curves. The wear and tear of the
rails on curves is also known 10 be caused
by the grinding of the inner wheel. very
great amount of motive power is wasted in
running trains over roads where there are
many curves. Mr.. Roberts claims greater
safety, easier running, and considerable saw
ing if lis invention is adopted. The truck
in que stion is so constructed that each wheel
works separately and independent of the
other, being we'll fabricated on the inner side,
tile same as the outer, and also having double
bearings to each wheel, insures its running
with greater freedom. Another feature OF
the invention is that the weight is better
distributed. Having double journals the
weight is thrown direct on to the centre Of
; the hub Ct the wheel The running of street
cars Will pe SIedtig ldolll1aiSu "a o'i'o oJooc
of double axle wheels is adopted, as a train
of cars could be run with a smaller and
lighter engine. One great advantage of this
: principle is that defective wheel can b,
: taken out without interfering with the on'
, opposite, thus allowing the one wheel to b.
=. worn right out and not discarded Gas is toC
+, often the case) owing to the difficulty o
: matching tire partly worn out. In conclusion
y we may state that Mr.. Roberts has givel
. this invention careful study and attention
before deciding to patent it, and from tn
: practical knowledge he is possessed of, W
: feel quite sanguine as to the success of hi
= system. Mr.. Roberts has from boyhoo
been in close connection with railroads an
:, railroad work, and was at one time forema
- of the car depot for the North Of Englan
=, Carriage and Wagon Company, and NOR
= ~ recently head of the Car Department for til
South Western and Midland, Somerset an
- Dorset Joint lines of England. At the prC
emit time he is employed by the jackson an
Sharp Co., of this city.