AN IMPROVED RAIL FOR RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Petrie Alexander, of the firm of Alexander
Brothers, of Nº 7 Drapers Gardens, in the City of London, and County of
Middlesex, for an Invention of “AN IMPROVED RAIL FOR RAILWAYS AND
TRAMWAYS" a Communication to him from abroad by George Cowdery and
Edwin Robins Thomas, both of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Petrie Alexander
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th April 1883.
WILLIAM PETRIE ALEXANDER, of the firm of Alexander Brothers, of N° 7 Drapers
Gardens, in the City of London and County of Middlesex, "AN IMPROVED RAIL
FOR RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS" a Communication to me from abroad by George
Cowdery and Edwin Robins Thomas, both of Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia,
This improved Rail complete, consists in the combination of two separate
Sections, or Rails of the same transverse section, as shewn on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawing (transverse Section at A A) The two sections or rails are to be
placed or built together to form one Rail-as shown on the Drawing.
The two Rails or Sections which combined form "The Rail," having the same
transverse section, can be turned over laterally, or end for end, and either be made
to take the place or position of the other; thus giving in each change of position a
fresh working surface or "Tread "—This combination having the advantage of a
four headed rail
"
The Rails are to be Seated, at intervals, in "Chairs" placed upon "Sleepers" and
the "chairs" pinned to the "Sleepers" in the ordinary manner.
The "Chairs" are to be of the form shewn, or of a similar form, to that shewn
in the Drawing according to the sizes and weighta of the Rails to be used
At given spaces, the two Sections of "The Rail" are to be fixed together by
'pins" or bolts See Drawing of Pins B. These "Pins" or Bolts pass through
elongated holes in each section of the Rail as shown in the Drawing at E E.

page_text: While placing these "Pins" or Bolts in position the Rails or Sections must be
sprung towards each other by means of a "Cramp" for this purpose--When the
"Pins or Bolts are in position and the "Cramp" released, the shoulder under the
head of the "Pin" fits into the elongated hole tightly, preventing any possibility
of the "Pin" turning or altering its position, thus forming a perfect tie or
fastening.
"
"
The "Pins or Bolts cannot be displaced except by the use of the "Cramp," and
the tendency of the load upon the Rails, is to tighten the Pins.
By this combination a break of joint can be secured (See Drawing at F.) without
the use of "Fish-plates" screw Bolts and Nuts, and without reducing the strength
or efficiency of the Rail in any respect.
With this Combination Rail, the use of "Keys" in the "Chairs" is entirely
superseded as the lower "Flanges" of the section of rail fix tightly under the
Lips" of the "Chairs"; but do not rest on the Chairs thus preventing any
possibility of wear on the faces of the "Flanges," previous to their being turned.
However in some instances it may be deemed advisable to use a "Pin" or Bolt
of the form shewn, at the "Chairs" for which provision has been made. See
Drawing of Chairs.
The rolling weight or load is sustained entirely by a centre-piece in the "Chair"
on which the upper "Flanges" rest (see Drawing at G)
The lower section could be used as a permanent foundation (and if considered
more economical) of tougher metal, and the upper section of steel, which alone need
be shifted or renewed-" Points, Crossings, and Switches" similar to those at
present used.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Petric Alexander in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th October 1883.
WILLIAM PETRIE ALEXANDER of the firm of Alexander Brothers of 7 Drapers
Gardens in the City of London and County of Middlesex "AN IMPROVED RAIL
FOR RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS A communication to ine from abroad by Georgo
Cowdery and Edwin Robins Thomas both of Sydney New South Wales Australia.
"
.
This Invention relates to an improved rail for Railways and Tramways built up
or constructed of two similar sections giving four perfect and independent flanges to
work upon, and the objects of these improvements are to give a longer life to the
track combined with great economy of metal for the required strength, the weight
of the fastenings being also much less than for rails in ordinary use.
I obtain these objects by the construction and combination illustrated upon the
accompanying Sheet of Drawing in which :-
Figure 1 is an elevation of part of a track with an improved Rail.
Figure 2 a plan of same, and,
Figure 3 is a transverse section at CD Figures 1 and 2, drawn to an enlarged
scale.
This improved rail complete, consists in the combination of two separate sections
or rails A A, of the same transverse section as shown on the drawing. The two
sections or rails are to be placed or built together to form one rail. The two
rails or sections which combined form "The Rail," having the same transverse
section, can be turned over laterally, or end for end, and either be made to take
the place or position of the other; thus giving in each change of position a fresh
working surface or "Tread "-This combination having the advantage of a four
headed rail.
The rails are to be seated, at intervals, in chairs placed upon sleepers, and the
chairs pinned to the sleepers in the ordinary manner-The chairs are to be of the
form shewn, or of a similar form, to that shewn in the Drawing, according to the
sizes and weights of the rails to be used.
At given spaces, the two sections of the Rail are to be fixed together by pins or
bolts B. These pins or bolts pass through elongated holes in each section of the
Rail, as shewn in the drawing at E E.
While placing these pins or bolts in position the rails or sections must be sprung
towards each other by means of a cramp for this purpose. When the pins or bolts
are in position and the cramp released, the shoulder under the head of the pin fits
into the elongated hole tightly, preventing any possibility of the pin turning or
altering its position, thus forming a perfect tie or fastening.
The pins or bolts cannot be displaced except by the use of the cramp, and the
tendency of the load upon the rails is to tighten the pins.
By this combination a break of joint can be secured (see Drawing at F Figure 2)
without the use of fish plates screw-bolts and nuts, and without reducing the
strength or efficiency of the Rail in any respect.
With this Combination Rail, the use of keys in the chairs is entirely superseded,
as the lower flanges of the Sections A, A, of Rail fix tightly under the lips a of the
chairs, but do not rest on the chairs, thus preventing any possibility of wear on
the faces of the flanges previous to their being turned.
However in some instances it may be deemed advisable to use a pin or bolt B,
at the chairs, for which provision has been made as shewn Figure 3 of the
Drawing.

page_text: The rolling weight or load is sustained entirely by a centre piece in the chair
on which the upper flanges rest (see drawing at G Figure 3)
Amongst the advantages of the above specified rail are, that :-
It combines all the best features of the "Barlow" Rail, the double headed rail,
he bridge rail, and the rail of the Contractor's pattern. The distribution of metal 5
in each section will allow of their being well and soundly rolled. There will be
less weight per lineal yard to sustain an equal load. It presents four new and
independent flanges to work over, giving as aforesaid a long life to the rail. Fish
plates, screw bolts and nuts are not required for fixing. It gives break of joint
without weakness. Wooden keys are dispensed with. The laying, relaying or 1
shifting is effected with rapidity. Considerably less weight in rails per lineal yard
for equal loads than required in ordinary rails.
The lower section could be used as a permanent foundation and (if considered
more economical) of tougher metal, and the upper section of steel, which alone
need be shifted or renewed.
The points crossings and switches may be similar to those at present used.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the Invention communicated
to me as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is or may be performed :-
1
I Claim as secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent :-
First The construction and combination of the two sections A, A, having 2
similar top and bottom flanges and forming in combination, with the top flanges
overlapping each other, a reversible rail for railways and tramways substantially
as described.
Second A rail formed of the two sections A, A, the pin or bolt B, passing
through the elongated holes E, E, and fixing the two sections of the rail in the 2
manner substantially as described.
Third-The combination of a Rail formed of the two sections A, A, fixed by the
pin or bolt B, or other suitable fastening, with a chair having the centre picce G
and the lips a, substantially as and for the purposes described.
In witness whereof I the said William Petrie Alexander have hereunto set my 3
hand and seal this Third day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
W PALEYANDER
1101