IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Dunn, of the Windsor Bridge. Iron Works,
near the City of Manchester, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERMANENT WAY OF
RAILWAYS."
..
וי
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Dunn'at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th June 1868.
. I, THOMAS DUNN, of the Windsor Bridge Iron Works, near the 'City of
Manchester, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERMANENT
WAY OF RAILWAYS," to be as "ollows:-
My improvements in the permanent way of railways consist in certain
improved modes of constructing the sleepers, chairs, and fastenings. I make
the sleepers of square plates of wrought or cast iron with the angles turned
down into the ballast; jaws or chairs are either welded or riveted on to hold
the rails, or the sleepers are made convex and concave, combined with or without
timber packings between the chair and the sleeper; these packings are either
triangular,square,semicircular.or cylindrical and some of these packingsform
the tie bars for keeping the rails to the proper guage. The under side of the

page_text: chair must be formed to correspond with the packings, which are made so as
to be easily removed when crushed or damaged. The rail is fastened to the
chair by an iron wedge or key, which is afterwards secured by molten lead or
other suitable metal. When chairs are secured to the ordinary woodsleepers
I make the bed plate either circular or nearly square, in order to concentrate
the area more directly under the rail, and I fix the chair to the sleeper by one
bolt and two trenails, or two bolts and one trenail; the trenails penetrate to a
certain extent the ordinary wood keys by which the rails are held in the
chairs, thus keeping them in their place when shrunk or damaged.
My improvements in the construction and maintenance of railways consist
in the use of a combined machine which I call the "plate layers' stear
companion; it comprises a small locomotive engine, with a crane and
machinery for sawing, drilling, punching, bending, and pressing the wood and
metal required in constructing and repairing the permanent way. In con-
structing the "plate layers' steam companion," or the "plate layers' steam
assistant," the steam engines, boiler, and the crane are supported on one
truck or carriage, and the various tools for sawing, drilling,punching, bending,
and pressing are supported on another, the two being connected and discon-
nected at pleasure, or the engines, boiler cranes, and tools are all supported
on one truck or carriage. The engines and boiler are connected to a frame
swivelling on the pillar of the crane, the jib of which can be raised or
lowered by links. The frame to which the engines and boiler are connected,
and the framing of the truck or carriage form tanks to contain a supply of
water for the boiler. The crank shaft of the engine, by means of suitable
gearing, works the chain barrel of the crane, and moves the crane rounds its
central columns; it also gives motion to a second shaft, which by suitable
gearing propels the whole apparatus along the rails, and drives by straps the
various machines for sawing, drilling, punching, bending, and pressing wood
and metal. A smith's forge is also mounted on the truck or carriage to
repair the various tools employed.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas Dunn, Her special license that I, the said Thomas
Dunn, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Thomas Dunn, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland,the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERMANENT WAY OF
RAILWAYS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas
Dunn, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Dunn, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say):-
My improvements in the permanent way of railways consist in certain
improved modes of constructing the sleepers and chairs supporting the rails
and the fastenings for securing them together.
My improvements in the construction and maintenance of the permanent
way of railways consists in the construction and use of combined machines,
which I call "plate layers' steam companions," or "plate layers' steam
assistants," comprising a locomotive engine with a crane and machinery for
sawing, drilling, punching, bending, and pressing the materials required for
constructing and repairing the permanent way of railways.
And in order that my Invention maybe fully understood and readily carried
into operation, I will proceed to describe the accompanying thirteen Sheets
of Drawings, reference being had to the figures and letters marked thereon.
On Sheet 1, Figure 1 represents an elevation of one of my improvements in.
the construction of the permanent way of railways; Figure 2 is a section, and
Figure 3 a plan of the same.
.
a is the rail, fitting between and bolted to the jaws b and c, which form.the

page_text: chair; the jaw b, made of 'ordinary angle iron, is rivetted or otherwise secured
to the sleeper d, which is made of a square-plate of sheet iron, the corners of
which are bent down to enter into the ballast; the jaw c is not secured to the
sleeper, but bears upon it; the sleepers d of the opposite rails are connected
at intervals by the wrought-iron double-ribbed or trough iron tie bars e bolted
to the sleepers, and where the tie bars occur only three of the corners of the
sleepers are turned down, the fourth lying on the tie bar, .as shewn in the
Drawing.
Figure 4 is a section, and Figure 5 a plan of a railway chair and sleeper-con-
structed according to a modification of my Invention. The rail a is-supported
between the jaws b and c forming the chair; these jaws are bolted or rivetted
to the sleeper d, which is similar to the one above described. A packing of
wood may be placed between the rail and the sleeper, if desired. The rail is
bolted between the jaws of the chair. I wish to observe that both the chairs
shewn in Figures 3 and 5' are intended for joint chairs, and that the inter-
mediate chairs may be narrower:
Figuresi6, 7; and 8-are-three views of another of my improvements in the
permanent, way. of railways. The rails a are of the description known as
contractors' rails, and they are spiked on to the transverse triangular wood
sleepers e, which also actas tie-bars; the sleepers or tie bars e bear upon the
surface sleepers d, which are of sufficient area to be supported by the ballast.
In order to keep the rails to the proper gauge the'sleepers and tie bars & are
recessed to fit on projections cast to the sleepers d; as shewn in section in
Figure: 7; and by.dots in Figure 6: The sleepers e-may also be semicircular,
and bolted to the sleepers d; as shewn in Figure 9; in this case a recess is
turned or otherwise formed in the sleeper or tic bare,which fits on a projection
on the sleeper d; to hold the rails to the proper.guage, or the tie bar.e may
be the fourth of'a circle for lighter work.
Figures 10 and 11 are two views of another modification of my Invention.
The rail a is secured between the jaws b and c, which are cast with the convex
corrugated sleeper d. The rail. is fastened to the chair by the hollow iron
wedge f, through which, and the jaw c is a hole for running molten lead or
other metal into the hollow part of the wedge for retaining-it in position;
molten metal inay also be run between the jaws of the chair and the rail.
In Figures 12 and 13 the rail a is secured to the chair in the manner above
described, but the sleeper d is made with-concentric corrugations instead of
radiating ones, as shewn in Figures 10 and 11.
Figures 14 and 15 represent a section and plan of another of my improve-
ments. The convex sleeper d with radiating corrugations is made with a

page_text: recess in its centre to receive the octagonal block or wood g, to which a con-
tractor or bridge rail or a chair is spiked; Figure 16 is a plan of a similar
sleeper with a square block of wood g to support the rail or chair. Figures 17
and 18 are two views of a sleeper d, with concentric corrugations and a recess.
to contain a circular block of wood g for supporting the rail or chair; Figure 19
is a section of another sleeper similar to the above, but with a shallower recess
for the circular block of wood g.
On Sheet 2, Figures 20, 21, 22, and 23 are four views of: another of my
improvements in the permanent way of railways. The rails a are secured by
ordinary wooden wedges to the chairs b, c, the bed plates of which are either
square or-round, as shewn in Figure 22, in order to concentrate the area more
directly upon the wooden transverse sleeper e; the chairs are secured to the
sleepers either by one bolt and two trenails, as shewn to the right-hand side
of Figure 22, or by two bolts and one trenail, as shewn to the left of the same
Figure.
Figures 24, 25, and 26 are three views of a modification of this part of my
Invention. In these views the rail a is supported in the chair b and c, bearing
npon the angular surface of the triangular transverse sleeper and tie bar e,
which is supported by the circular corrugated sleeper d bearing upon the
ballast; these sleepers may be of cast iron or sheet iron compressed in a mould
to the required shape. The chair is secured to the sleeper e by a trenail, and
to the sleeper d by two bolts. In Figures 27 and 28 the chair b, c, rests upon
the rectangular wood sleeper e, which is supported by the corrugated sheet
iron sleeper d, the angles of which are bent down to enter the ballast; the
chairs and sleepers are connected together by bolts.
Figures 29, 30, and 31 represent another of my improvements in the per-
manent way: The ordinary contractor's rail a is spiked on to the transverse
sleeper and tie bare, which is supported by and passes through slots in the
corrugated plate iron sleepers d; between the corrugations of the sleeper d
and the wood sleeper e are blocks of wood h. In Figures 32, 33, and 34, the
contractor's rail a is supported upon a semicircular transverse sleeper and tie
bar e, which passes through and bears upon the two cast-iron sleepers d;
these sleepers are secured to the sleepers e by the blocks of wood h.
On Sheet 3, Figures 35, 36, and 37 are three views of another of my im-
provements in the permanent way of railways. In these views the parts marked
a,b,c,and e,are similar to those shewn and described in reference to Figures 24,
25, and 26, but the sleepers d are made with concentric and radiating.cor-
rugations. In Figures 38, 39, and 40 the rails a are secured to the chairs b, c,
by ordinary wooden wedges, and the chairs are cast with the angular

page_text: and curved sleepers d, which bear partly upon the ballast and partly on the
transverse sleeper and tie bar e; thesleepers dande are connected by a bolt.
Figures 41,42, and 43 represent three views of a modification of my Inveu-
tion; in these views the chairs b, c, are cast with the sleepers d fitting upon the
circular transverse sleeper and tie bar e; the sleepers d have caps di, and to
both are cast internal projections taking into a groove in the sleeper e, to retain
the rails at the proper guage; the sleepers d and caps d are bolted together,
and the projecting flanges bearing on the ballast may either be cast with the
sleeper as shewn in Figure 41, or to the cap as shewa in Figure 44.
The arrangement shewn in Figures 45, 45, and 47 is very similar to the
above, but in these views the transverse sleeper and tie bare is square instead
of round as in the preceding Figures.
On Sheet 4, Figs. 48, 49, and 50 represent another of my improvements
in the construction of the permanent way of railways. In these views the
chair b, c, is similar to that shewn in Figure 24, and it is secured by bolts to
the sleeper d, made with concentric corrugations and bearing on the ballast;
between the chair and the sleeper is the triangular packing or tie bare. In
Figures 51, 52, and 53 the contractor's rails a are spiked on to triangular trans-
verse sleepers e fitting in angular grooves in the sleepers d, bearing on the
ballast; these sleepers are cast with flanges to increase their strength, and in
order to keep the rails to their proper guage a recess is cut near each end
of the sleeper or tie bar e, fitting on a projection cast to the sleepers d, as
shewn in Figures 51 and 52.
Figure 54 represents the mode of cutting a great number of tie rods or
transverse sleepers out of a balk of timber.
In Figures 55, 56, and 57 the chairs b, c are bolted to the sleepers d, which
are made with concentric corrugations, or with corrugations partly concentric
and partly radiating; the semicircular packing or tie bar e is secured between
the chair and sleeper.
Figures 58, 59, 60, and 61 are four views of another of my improvements in
the permanent way. The ordinary contractor's rails a are secured to the
rectangular transverse sleepers e and to the plate sleepers d by bolts, either
with or without a plate or shoe between the rail and the sleeper. The sleepers
inay either be curved downwards, as shewn in Figure 61, or upwards, as
shewn in Figure 62.
.
"
On Sheet 5, Figures 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 represent another modification
of my improvements in the permanent way of railways. The rails a are sup-
ported in jaws cast to the sleepers d, which are made in two parts connected
by the bolts passing through the rails and by the keys i passing through the
"

page_text: angle iron tie bar e, and through the segments ; in Figures 66 and 67; the
sleepers are corrugated where they bear on the ballast. In Figure 65 it will
beseen that the intermediate sleepers d are narrower than those through which
the tie bars e pass, and which also serve as joint chairs. In Figure 68 the rails
a are supported between the jaws b, c, which are cast or forged with the
sleepers d, bearing on the ballast; the two halves of the sleepers are connected
by the plates or caps d', and by bolts. In Figure 69 the rails a are bolted to
the two jaws b, c, forming the chair, which is bolted to the sleeper d. In
Figure 70 the sleeper d is provided with a jaw b, to which the rail a is bolted,
and at the joints of the rails a fish plate of the usual construction is applied.
In Figure 71 the sleeper d is formed of two curved plates of wrought or cast
iron, the flanges of which fit on each side of the double-headed rail a, through
which are bolts with keys; the segments j and keys i secure together the two
halves of the sleeper. In Figure 72 the sleeper d is also formed of two curved
plates with flanges, to which the rail a is secured by bolts and keys; the two
halves of the sleeper are united by the plate j and bolts or rivets. Figures 73
and 74 are a section and plan of another modification of my improvements;
the rails a are secured by bolts to the curved plates d, forming the sleeper;
these sleepers bear on the ballast and on the transverse sleeper e, which also
forms a tie bar. The space between the rail a and the sleeper e may be filled
up with a wooden packing or left open.
On Sheet 6,Figure 75 represents in perspective another of my improvements
in the construction of the permanent way of railways. The rail a is supported
in the jaws 6, which are cast or forged with the angle-shaped sleepers d; these
sleepers are bolted to the angle tie bar e. The Drawing represents a double
joint chair and sleepers, but the intermediate chairs are or may be single. In
Figure 76 the tie bar e and sleepers d are the same as in the above Figure,
but the rails are secured to the chairs by hollow wedges f, as in Figure 10. In
Figure 77 the rail a is supported in the chairs 6,cast or weldedto the sleepers d,
which are partly angular and partly corrugated; the sleepers d are connected
by the angle iron tie bars e, In Figure 78 the contractor's rail a is spiked or
held by trenails to the longitudinal semicircular sleeper k, under which is
another similar sleeper. Between the sleepers k and I are placed at intervals
the corrugated plates d, the whole being united by bolts. The plate d may
be straight or bent upwards. In Figure 79 the contractor's rail a is secured
by the chair b to the transverse wooden sleeper or tie bare, bearing upon the
sleeper d, made of plate iron and angle irons; under the sleeper d is another
wooden sleeper or tie bar e'. In Figure 80 the flanges of the rail a are bolted

page_text: to the flanges of the sleeper d, which is made in two parts united by the tie
bar e, to which they are bolted.
On Sheet 7,Figure 81represents in perspective another of my improvements
in the permanent way of railways. a. is an ordinary contractor's rail bearing
uponand spiked to the flattened surface of the cylindrical longitudinal sleeperm;
to this sleeper is fixed at intervals the corrugated sleeper d, put together in two
halves, bolted through the timber. In Figure 82 the contractor's rail a bears
upon and is spiked to the transverse cylindrical sleeper and tie bare, to which the
two parts of the sleeper d are bolted as in the previous Figure. In Figure 88
the double-headed rail a is secured as usual in the chair b, c, which is spiked
or trenailed to the cylindrical longitudinal sleeper m, supported at intervals by
the corrugated sleeper-d bearing on the ballast. In Figure 84 the rail a is
secured to an ordinary chair spiked or trenailed to the transverse sleeper or tie
bar e,which is supported at each end bythe corrugated sleeperd. In Figure 85
the contractor's rail a bears on the longitudinal sleeper m, which is supported
-at-intervals by the corrugated sleepers d, which have a semi-cylindrical groove
to receive the sleeper m. In Figure 86 the sleeper d. is similar to the above, but
the rail a is spiked or otherwise secured to the transverse sleeper and tie bare.
In Figure 87 the double-headed rail a is secured to the chair b, c,which is cast
on the sleeper d, forced end wise on the longitudinal cylindrical sleeper m. In
Figure 88 the rail a is secured in an ordinary chair, which is spiked or trenailed
to the transverse sleeper or tie bar e, in which the sleeper d is forced. In
Figure 89 the contractor's raila isspiked on to the longitudinal packing e, which
fits in the dovetailed recess in the sleeper d, the sides of which are corrugated.
In Figure 90 the rail a is spiked to the transverse packing e, fitting in the
sleeper d, the sides of which are curved and corrugated. In Figure. 91 the
rail a is spiked to the longitudinal packing e, bearing upon the sleeper. d, made
of a plate of wrought iron, to which angle irons are rivetted for holding the
packing in its place. In Figure 92 the double-headed rail a is secured to an
ordinary chair spiked or trenailed to the packing e, which is supported in the
plate-iron sleeperd, to which angle irons are rivetted as in the previous Figure.
On Sheet 8, Figure 93 represents another modification of my improvements
in the construction of the permanent way of railways. The contractor's rail ais
spiked or trenailed to the longitudinal square sleeper m, which is supported at
intervals by the corrugated sleeper d formed in two halves,and bolted together
through the sleeper m. In Figure 94 the rail a is secured to an ordinary chair
fastened by trenails to the square transverse sleeper e, having at each end a
cast-iron sleeper d made in two parts, connected together by bolts, as in the

page_text: preceding Figure. In Figure 95 the rail a is secured to the chair b, c, which is
cast on the sleeper d, fitting on the longitudinal wooden sleeper m. In Figure
96 the chair for the rail a is cast on the sleeper d, which fits on the transverse
sleeper e. In Figure 97 the rail a is secured in a chair cast to the sleeper d,
which fits on the round longitudinal wooden sleeper m. Figure 98 is very
similar to the above, but the sleeper fits on the transverse sleeper e. In
Figures 99 and 100 the sleepers d are fixed to the half-round wooden sleepers
with the flat sides on the ballast; and in Figures 101 and 102 the sleepers d
rest upon half-round wooden sleepers with the flat sides upwards. In Figures
103 and 104 the sleepers d bear upon half-round wooden sleepers with the
corners cut off.
t
On Sheet 9,Figure 105 represents an elevation of one mode of constructing
and arranging the "plate layers' steam companion and assistant; " n is the
framing or body of the truck or carriage, which is supported on four or other
convenient number of pairs of wheelso; p is a vertical steam boiler supported
by the frame q, to which are fixed the bearings of the crank shaft r, which is
driven by the steam cylinders 8. To the crank shaft r is fixed a mitre pinion
r, gearing into a similar pinion on the cross shaft t, on which is a
spur pinion gearing into the wheel u³, fixed to the cross shaft u; on this shaft
is a pinion u² gearing into the wheel w' on the shaft w of the chain barrel w².
The standards for the bearings of the shafts above described are secured to the
frame q, and to it is also fixed the fulcrum of the jib r of the crane, the whole
shaft
cross
swivelling upon the pillar n' attached to the carriage n. To the
is also fixed a mitre pinion gearing into the piuion y¹ on the upright shaft y,to
the lower end of which is fixed a spur pinion y gearing into the internal
wheel n², which is loose on the pillar n'; to the boss of the wheel 2 is fixed
the spur whcel n³ gearing into the pinion on the upright shaft, to which
is also fixed the mitre pinion gearing into a similar pinion on the
intermediate shaft A; to this shaft are fixed the spur pinions A' gearing into
the driving wheels B. To this shaft A is fixed the pulley A² for driving by
means of a strap, band, or chain the pulley. C¹ on the shaft C, to which
arefixed the requisite pulleys for driving the circular saw D,the punching aud
shearing machine E, the upright drill F, and the wooden key press G, all of
which machines are provided with fast and loose pulleys, or other apparatus
for starting and stopping as usual. When the "plate layers'. steam
companion and assistant" is travelling along the line,and none of the tools are
required to be in operation, the engines by means of the gearing described
give motion to the driving wheels B, the crane at this time being held
stationary on the pillar n' by a bolt or catch. When the apparatus is

page_text: stationary the frame 1 with the crane and all the parts connected to it are
swivelled round on the pillar n' by the engines and geering giving motion to
the pinion y gearing into the internal wheel n', which is then fastened by a
bolt or catch to the carriage n, and at other times when the apparatus is
stationary all or any of the tools and the crane can be worked simultaneously
by the gearing described.
On Sheet 10, Figure 106 represents a modification of my improved "plate
layers steam companion and assistant." In this arrangement the truck
or carriage n, supporting the boiler p, steam engines s,and crane x,is separate
from the truck or carriage n4, supporting the tools for constructing or
repairing the lines of rails; the truck n is made of plate iron, and serves as a
tank to contain a supply of water for the boiler. The swivel frame q instead
of moving on a pillar,as in the former arrangement, is provided with rollers q
running upon an annular rail secured to the plate ns, forming part of the
framing of the truck n. To the plate is cast or fixed the internal wheel n
into which the pinion gears; -this pinion. is fixed to the shaft y, which
is driven by the shaft t,a pinion on which gears into the pinion y¹. The shaft
t is driven by the pinion r' on the crank shaft r.. The gearing for propelling
the whole apparatus along the rails consists of the bevel wheels B fixed to the
driving axles, these wheels are driven and coupled by the pinions A and
intermediate shaft A, to which motion is given by the bevel wheels on the
upright shaft y. The shaft C is driven by a band or strap from one of the
driving axles, and gives motion to the circular saw D, the. ugur D driven
from the spindle of the saw, the upright drill F, and the punching and
shearing machine E. The vice H is shewn in this arrangement of tools, and
a similar vice may also be combined with the tools shewn on Sheet 9. In both
cases a smith's forge is or may be added to repair the tools employed.
On Sheet 11, Figure 107 represents an elevation of a portable steam crane
peculiarity adapted to be used in combination with myimproved "plate layers'
steam companionaudassistant"herein-before described.nistheframingorbody
of the truck or carriage; o, o, the front and middle wheels, and B. the driving
wheels; p the boiler supported on the swivel frame q, to which are fixed
the bearings of the crank shaft r driven by the steam cylinders s; the frame g
and the jib & of the crane swivel on the pillar. The pinion on the shaft r
gears
into the wheel t'ou the cross shaft t, the wheel t' gears into the wheel u¹
on the cross shaft u, on which is. pinion gearing into the wheel w' on the
shaft of the chain barrel w³; or. the pinion t³ on the shaft t may. drive the
wheel u³ on the shaft u, in order to increase the purchase. The wheel t' also
gears into a pinion on the cross shaftt, on which is a mitre pinion gearing in
"

page_text: the pinion
on the vertical shaft y, to the lower end of which is fixed
a spur pinion y gearing into the internal wheel ². This internal wheel is cast
with or fixed to the spur wheel n³, gearing into the wheel z¹ fixed to the
upright shafts, to which is also fixed the bevel pinion z³ gearing into
the driving wheel B, fixed to the driving axle. By this arrangement of
gearing, which is very similar to that described in reference to Sheet 9,
the engine may be made to traverse the crane along the rails, to swivel it on
its fulcrum pillar n', or to raise and lower the articles required in the
construction or maintenance of the permanent way.
On Sheet 12, Figure 108 represents another of my improved steam cranes for
the "plate layers' steam companion and assistant." In this arrangement
the boilerp is sufficiently large to supply the two pair of steam cylinders 8, s.
which can work separately or together the two cranes æ, a. The steam
cylinders drive the crank shafts 7, on which are spur pinions gearing into the
wheels t' on the shaftst; on these shafts are pinions driving the wheels w³ ou
the shafts wo of the chain barrels w². On the shafts tare mitre pinions gear-
ing into, the pinions y' on the upright. shafts y; the spur pinions y² on these
shafts gear into the spur-wheel no, fixed to the frame of the truck. To the
shafts y are also fixed the worms y³, gearing into the wheels: B, keyed on the
driving axles. The boiler, steam engines,gearing, and cranes areall supported
by the rollers q' travelling on an annular rail forming part of the truck. When
one or both of the cranes are at work the truck can be held stationary by
cramps or stays I of the ordinary construction.
On Sheet 13, Figure 109 represents another of my improved cranes for con-
structing and maintaining the permanent way of railways. In this arrangement
the steam cylinders & are placed below the framing of the truck n, which is
supported on the wheels. o. The steam engines give motion to the crankshaftr,
on which is fixed, or connected by a clutch box, the wheel gearing into the
wheel on the cross shaft ts; this shaft, by means of a pair of mitre wheels,
drives the upright shaft 2, to which is fixed the pinion z¹, gearing into the
wheel 3. The wheel n³ is cast with the internal wheel gearing into the
pinion y fixed on the upright shaft y, the pinion y¹ on which drives the
shaft t, by which, and the intermediate wheels and pinions shewn, the chain
drum w² is worked. When the crane is being propelled along the line of rails
the wheel is disconnected from the driving axle r; when the crane is
stationary the wheel is connected to the driving axle by the clutch boxabove
referred to, and the driving wheels o are disconnected from the axle; the
engine then works the crane by the gearing shewn, or allows the crane to be

page_text: swivelled round the pillar n¹by connecting the wheels n² and n³ to the pillar n³,
by a bolt or other means. .
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, and described the manner
of performing the same, I declare that I claim,
First, constructing railway sleepers of square or other shaped plates of
wrought or cast iron, with the angles turned down to enter the ballast, as
described and partly shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
.
Secondly, constructing the tie bars, for conuecting the rails or sleepers, of
trough iron, or angle iron, or wood, of the various sections described and partly
shewn.
:
Thirdly, the various improved modes, described and partly shewn, of con-
necting the rails to the chairs or sleepers, or to the packings or tie bars.
Fourthly, constructing the sleepers with radiating and concentric corruga-
tions, as described and partly shewn.
.
Fifthly,making the keys for securing the rails in the chairs of hollow metal,
and afterwards filling-the-cavity- with molten lead or other soft metal, also
securing rails to chairs by molten lead or other soft metals as described and
partly shewn.
Sixthly making the bed plates of railway chairs either circular or square, or
nearly so, in the manner described and partly shewn
: Seventhly, securing thechairs to the sleepers by means of one bolt and two
trenails, or two bolts and one trenail, as described and partly shewn.
Eighthly, the combination and arrangement of the machinery and tools, as
described and partly shewn in Sheets 9 and 10:
* Ninthly, the combination and arrangement of the portable steam cranes, as
described and shewn in Sheets 11, 12, and 13.
... And, lastly, the names of "plate layers' steam companion," aud" plate layers'
steam assistant," as applied to the machinery above described, for constructing
and maintaining the permanent way of railways.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Dunn, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of December, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three.