IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAY RAILS, TRAMWAY ROADS, AND TRAMWAY SLEEPERS, AND MODE FOR FITTING AND FIXING THE SAME; SUCH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO TRAMWAY RAILS, TRAMWAY ROADS AND RAILWAYS
Year: 1878

page_text: 56
LETTERS PATENT to Harold Tyrrell Grainger, of 38, New Church Road, in the
Parish of Saint Giles, Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Mechanical Engi-
neer, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAY RAILS, TRAMWAY
ROADS, AND TRAMWAY SLEEPERS, AND MODE FOR FITTING AND FIXING THE
SAME; SUCH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO TRAMWAY RAILS, TRAMWAY
ROADS AND RAILWAYS"
Sealed the 6th June 1879, and dated the 18th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Harold Tyrrell Grainger at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December 1878.
HAROLD TYRRELL GRAINGER, of 38, New Church Road, in the Parish of Saint
Giles, Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TRAMWAY RAILS, TRAMWAY ROADS, AND TRAMWAY SLEEPERS, AND MODE. FOR
FITTING AND FIXING THE SAME; SUCH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO TRAMWAY
RAILS, TRAMWAY ROADS, AND RAILWAYS."
My Invention embraces a new and improved method in constructing the per-
manent way of tramways, and which improvements will enable all vehicles to travel
over the tramways in any desired direction with facility and without the very great
strain and skidding which has caused the many accidents which has resulted in
broken wheels and more particularly the axletrees of various vehicles using the
roadways whereon the tramways are laid, resulting principally from the imperfections
of the present systems, which do not admit the vehicles traffic to leave the leave the
near side of road for the offside, or vice versa, where required to do so, but which my
Invention entirely obviates.
My Invention relates to the construction of longitudinal iron or steel tram rails,
either straight or curved in various lengths, and which I make with a groove down
the centre, or nearly so, with toothed, boxed, or keyed projections extending out from
each side of rail parallel to each other or otherwise, & which are indented or fluted
I Price Gd

page_text: on upper surface. I also claim to make the projections on or in conjunction with
tram rail in any other desired form or pattern.
I sometimes dispense with longitudinal wood sleepers and make composite sleepers
with a wrought or cast iron outer casing (or it may be made with other suitable
material), either straight or curved in various lengths, intersected at or about right
angles or otherwise on each side to correspond with tram rail, the snugs lugs or
bosses to be rivetted or cast on top of and level, or nearly so, with upper surface of
such casing of sleeper, the snugs lugs or bosses to be drilled & topped to correspond
with boles in tram rail, & by which I fasten down and make secure the tram rail
to composite sleeper or otherwise. At end of composite sleeper I sometimes cast or
rivet on snugs or lugs to be drilled & tapped, or I make one end a spigot & at
other a faucet or otherwise, to simplify fitting & fixing composite sleeper.
The casing I fill with a mixture of lime, sand, or ballast, or Portland cement, sand,
& ballast, together with carbonate of lime & other sulphates in solution, so as to
form a permant & very hard & durable solid mass within the casing, provision being
made for insertion of iron cross tre rods at certain & suitable measurements through
casing.
The steel or iron tram rail can be fixed to, the composite sleeper by iron straps
laid across widest parts of casing, when the keys of projections are parallel to each
other, & diagonally when otherwise, a hole being left in each end for insertion of
bolt prior to filling outer casing of composite sleeper. The tram rail thus can be
very readily bolted & fastened to composite sleeper.
I sometimes to deaden the sound insert between the tram rail & composite
sleeper or layer of felt, lead, or other material.
When wood longitudinal sleepers are used I fix at various measurements on each
side of sleeper, with bolts, nuts, screws, or otherwise, brackets parallel to each other
or otherwise, was to afford the necessary support to carry the projecting keys of
tram rail, so that my tram rail can be used in conjuction with the wood sleepers
as are at present laid. The brackets above referred to are drilled at top & side,
& tapped where necessary to correspond with the holes in tram rail, that the
same may be firmly & securely fixed by bolts, screws, or otherwise; & for the
purpose of clearing out the centre groove & tram rail I fix to side or under
carriage of car at either end a steel spring scraper. The brackets above referred to
I make applicable to fixing on to tram rails at present laid down, and the whole of
foregoing work can be manipulated at any works, & thus a vast amount of time
vill be saved, & the minimums of time required either to form new tramway
routes or to accomplish the repairs when required.
When the road has been prepared with a bed of concrete for the reception of my
composito sleeper & tramrail the interstices are paved with granite or wood
cubes, asphalt, or any desirable material, & thus a drver of any vehicle is enabled
to drive on, or off, or across the tram rail in any direction, as on ordinary roads.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Harold Tyrrell Grainger in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
June 1879.
HAROLD TYRRELL GRAINGER, of No. 38, New Church Road, in the Parish of Saint
Giles, Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TRAMWAY RAILS, TRAMWAY ROADS, AND TRAMWAY SLEEPERS, AND MODE FOR
FITTING AND FIXING THE SAME; SUCH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO TRAMWAY
RAILS, TRAMWAY ROADS, AND RAILWAYS."
The object of my Invention is to construct street tramways on new and improved
methods, either of whin-stone, granite, or other hard and durable stone, or of steel,
iron, wood, or either combined, or other material, so that permanent and durable
tramways may be constructed, and which will very materially reduce and thus
prevent the enormous expenditure hitherto occasioned by the various tramway
companies for maintenance, and whereby the skidding or sliding of wheels along the
rigid tram rail is by this Invention entirely prevented, and all vehicles can be
driven over or across the tramways in any desired direction, as on ordinary roads;
and such Inventions and improvements in tramway rails, tramway roads, and tram-
way sleepers are effected as herein described, that is to say :-
After the road has been properly prepared with a bed of concrete and levelled, I
proceed to lay and fix on such concrete bed a composite sleeper, viz., angle iron in
various lengths placed longitudinally of a certain size and thickness, and of sufficient
strength and placed parallel to each other; small spikes are then driven into con-
crete at each sides of longitudinal angle irons, so that they may be fixed a certain
distance apart for the reception of a composition, specified as under, and shewn in
annexed Drawings of cross section at B, Fig. 10, the longitudinal angle irons having
previously been punched, drilled, or slotted at or near upper edge, and also at or near
base at certain measurements for the reception of wedges, bolts, or keys, as shewn in
annexed Drawings at D, Fig. 2, and which I then insert temporarily one on each
outer side of longitudinal angle iron.
I then proceed to fill up the longitudinal iron casing or sleeper thus formed with
a mixture of lime, sand, or ballast, or Portland cement, sand, or ballast, together
with carbonate of lime and other sulphates in solution, so as to form a permanent
and very hard and durable solid mass within the longitudinal iron casing or
sleeper, the surplus being then struck off flush with the top of iron casing or
sleeper.
To deaden the sound I then place a layer of felt, lead, or other suitable material
between the sleeper and tram rail.
The tram rail C, Fig. 2, is then laid on holes having previously been punched or
drilled through the same, the wedges, bolts, or keys D, Fig. 2, are then withdrawn,
and at certain measurements the gauge or iron cross tie rod, Fig. 27, being turned
up and a hole punched at each end to correspond with holes in composite iron
casing or sleeper, and then placed in position. I then place opposite the holes
specified above brackets or blocks, as shewn in annexed Drawings at F, Figs. 1
and 2, made of wood, steel, or iron, or they may be of either combined, or of other
suitable material, but if of wood, oak by preference, of various sizes, and also having
holes bored or drilled to correspond with holes in composite iron casing or sleeper
and tram rails.
The brackets or blocks having previously been shouldered to receive cast steel or
chilled iron caps, as shewn in annexed Drawings at G, Figs. 1, 2, and 19, fluted or
grooved on upper surface to afford a foothold for horses.
The cast steel or chilled iron caps also have holes cored or bored through to cor-
respond, as specified above, and the brackets or blocks with caps fitted are then set
or placed on base, as shewn in annexed Drawings at A, Fig. 2, of composite angle
iron casing or sleeper at each side, either parallel or otherwise, and flush or nearly so

page_text: with top of tram rail, and the wedges, bolts, or keys are those inserted on each side
and driven home.
The cast steel or chilled iron caps, as specified above, need not be made solid at
upper surface; they may be cored with two or more cores, as shewn in annexed
Drawings at H, Fig. 26, so as to admit of the shouldered brackets or blocks to come
through flush with tram rail.
I claim to make the brackets or blocks and caps referred to above in one block,
as shewn in the annexed Drawings L, Fig. 21, either solid or hollow cast steel,
chilled iron, or wood, or of any other suitable and durable material, and which I
claim to apply at nominal cost to all or any pattern sleeper and tram rail as at
present laid down or which may be laid.
The composite sleeper and tram rail, constructed as specified above, thus becomes
consolidated into one solid mass, and each sleeper obtains a base bearing throughout
of fully nine inches on concrete bed or foundation of roadway, being more than
double the width of those hitherto constructed. The roadway can then be paved
with granite tubes or wood blocks, as shewn at O, Fig. 23, of annexed Drawings.
The granite cubes or wood blocks that are set in proximity or alongside my com-
posite sleeper and between or alongside my brackets or blocks, as specified above,
have or obtain a bearing on the base, as shown in Drawing annexed at A¹, Fig. 2, of
composite sleeper.
The mode, as specified above, of construction has a far greater stability, is more
suited for the purpose of either horse or steam power than any tramway hitherto
constructed. I also claim to make the projections on or in conjunction with
tram rails and wood sleepers as at present laid in any other desired form or
pattern.
The mode, as shewn in annexed Drawings at Figs. 3, 4, and 5, I construct with
either a cast or wrought iron outer casing, or it may be made with other suitable
material partially intersected at or about right angles to form toothed or keyed pro-
jections or otherwise on each side at certain measurements to correspond with
rolled steel or cast iron tram rail, as shewn at Fig. 5 in Drawing annexed, the snugs,
lugs, or bosses, as shewn and marked J, Fig. 4, to be cast or rivetted on top of and
about level or nearly so with upper surface of outer casing; the snugs, lugs, or
bosses can be cored or drilled to correspond with holes in tram rail.
The outer iron casing I fill, where marked B, Fig. 4 of annexed Drawing, with a
composition, as specified above, and at the end of same I sometimes cast or rivet on
snugs or lugs, or I make one end a spigot and at other a faucet, or I make a
dovetail joint where each end butt.
The iron or steel tram rail I roll either straight or curved in various lengths, with
a small groove down near centre of same, with toothed, boxed, or keyed projections
extending out from each side of rail parallel to each other or otherwise, and which
are fluted, or indented on upper surface to afford better foothold for horses. The
holes through tram rail when rolled may be punched or drilled at sides or upper
surface, and cored or drilled when cast rails are used, to allow bolts or screws being
inserted for fixing down the same to composite sleeper.
When the tram rail is to be fixed at upper surface I place iron straps (with bolt
hole in each end) across widest part at underside of composite sleeper, Figs. 3 and 4,
where the projections are parallel to each other, and diagonally when otherwise, for
insertion of bolt; the tram rail by that means can thus be very readily fastened
down by nuts or otherwise.
I claim to make a tram road entirely of whin-stone, or granite, or other hard
material in solid quarried blocks of various lengths, with a groove about three
quarters of an inch wide and the same in depth cut in the whin-stone or granite
blocks on face or upper surface thereof down the whole length near the centre for
guard or flange of tramway wheel; the blocks are cut and boxed; toothed or keyed
projections are thus formed on each side, either fluted, grooved, or plain; and such
block when thus prepared is similar in appearance, as drawn at Fig. 3, but without
base or tram rail of iron or steel, the ends of such blocks to be squared (and shoul-

page_text: dered when necessary) to butt and fit correctly, or one end may be made a spigot
and at other a faucet, or a dovetail joint or a groove may be cut in each butt joint
at each side, and a fish plate, strap, or iron bar be bedded in with Portland cement.
The whinstone or granite block may also be prepared as described on the underside
as well as on the upper surface, so that when repairs are necessary the tram road
blocks will only have to be turned bottom upwards, and thus the minimum of time
will only be required to form entirely a new tram road, and a few yards only of the
tram road need be disturbed at a time.
The modo as shewn in cross section only at Figs. 8 and 13 in annexed Drawings,
I construct with blocks of wood (oak by preference), which I term "chairs," as
shewn at P, Figs. 8 and 13 in Drawings annexed, and which are shouldered to receive
the rolled steel or iron tram rails C and the cast steel or chilled iron caps the
G;
blocks or chairs P I then place on the concrete bed in a vertical position, viz., with
end grain on concrete bed, the tram rail C and steel or iron caps G are then
placed in position, and the wedges, bolts, or keys D are then inserted and driven
home.
The chairs or blocks P need not be placed alternately with granite or wood
paving sets, but they can be placed somewhat wider apart to lessen cost, and a
smaller iron chair, as shewn at Fig. 28 of annexed Drawings, is placed in position
on concrete bed to assist in supporting brackets or blocks and tram rail, and the
intervening spaces I then fill in with concrete; or instead of using the smaller iron.
chair I sometimes punch the necessary holes (to correspond with the holes in bracket
or block) in a length of iron bar, either straight or turned up at end, as shewn in
Drawings annexed at Fig. 29, and fix the same longitudinally with the wedges, bolts,
or keys for the purpose of strengthening the whole.
I proceed as follows when wood longitudinal sleepers are used, as shewn at S,
Figs. 1 and 9 of Drawings annexed:-The wood sleeper having been bored through
at certain measurements are placed upon the concrete bed, and the tie rods E, Fig.
27, are then placed in position at certain measurements, the rails C having holes
punched or drilled through are then laid on, and the brackets or blocks with steel
caps are then placed in position, as previously described, and the wedges, bolts, or
keys are then inserted at each side and driven home, and thus the whole is keyed
and fixed together, as shewn at cross section, Fig. 9; but when the wedges or keys
are dispensed with I apply, fit, and fix complete with angle plates, as shewn at Fig.
20, in conjunction with steel caps, as shewn at Figs. 24 and 25, and fix with spikes,
screws or bolts, and nuts the bracket blocks to sleeper and tram rails.
In cross section, Fig. 6, I use a rail with the flange or horns marked V set in to
admit of angle irons when used as sleepers to take an outer bearing or vertical
bearing, and the centro may be filled with a composition, and the whole fitted and
fixed together in conjunction with the bracket blocks and steel caps, as previously
described.
In cross section of Fig. 7 I shew mode of applying my bracket block with cast
steel or chilled iron caps; or the base and centre vertical web may be made with
Tiron and the rail may be made with centre horn or tang, as shewn at C, Fig. 8,
and the tang or horn and web of T iron be drilled or punched to allow or admit of
wedges, bolts, or keys being inserted, that the whole may be fitted and fixed
together, as previously described.
In cross section, Fig. 11, I employ rolled T and Z irons to form base and sleeper,
the centre of which may be left hollow, and the whole fitted together, as previously
described.
In cross section of Fig. 12 I place on concrete bed a flitch plate to form base of
sleeper, and I also use two other flitch plates placed longitudinally so as to form
iron casing or sleeper, which thus becomes a receptacle for the composition, as
specified herein previously, and the whole is then fitted and fixed together, as pre-
viously described.
In cross sections of Figs. 15 and 16 I employ valley girders and wood for bracket

page_text: blocks, to be shouldered as shewn; the centre of Fig. 16 may be left hollow, and
fixed together, as previously described.
When oak is used as a tram road I proceed as follows, viz.:-I cut plank of a
certain size out of the oak log, then I cross cut the plank to the necessary size; I
then chamfer off one edge, as shewn at X, Fig. 31, to form groove for flange of
wheel; I then place another piece, which forms the tram, square on one edge, as
shewn at Fig. 30, alongside the former piece where chamfered; I then place them
under a band saw, and pieces of various sizes are cut out so as to form a block, when
the two pieces are bolted together similar in appearance to Drawing, as shewn at
Fig. 3, either with or without a base; I then cut a groove out at sides where each
end butt, at shewn at W, Fig. 3, and bore holes through and let in fish plates or
iron straps, and thus bolt the two pieces together, as shewn in cross section at Fig.
32; or I cut the tram road out of one solid log; or iron chairs may be used, and
spiked through from side or otherwise, and thus I construct a very cheap and
durable tram road.
In cross sections, Fig. 17 and 18, I employ H girders to carry tram rails; in the
one the girder is placed horizontally, and in the other in a vertical position; the
bracket blocks are shouldered as shewn, and the whole is fixed together as pre-
viously described.
In cross section, Fig. 33, I roll the tram rail C with a rabbet on each side
extending the whole length of rail in some instances, and partially so in others; one
or more small grooves are made in the upper surface of the whole length or partially
so of the rabbet, and I proceed to construct a tram road on this principle in a similar
manner as previously described, and shewn at cross section, Fig. 10, and also at
Fig. 2, except that I place the longitudinal angle iron the reverse way; or I some-
times dispense with angle iron, and in lieu thereof use flitch plates, as dotted, and
also that I fix the whole tram road together simply by placing on each side at
certain measurements clips or cramps, as shewn at Y, Fig. 33, either of cast steel,
chilled iron, or wrought iron fluted or grooved on upper surface, and such clips or
cramps are then brought up flush with tram rail by driving into groove or grooves
in upper surface of rabbet, spikes, cotters, or pins.
This mode of tramway may be constructed entirely by the unskilled or ordinary
laborer, there being no mechanical labor to be performed in the construction, and
when laid and paving completed, the tramways will afford a sure remedy for skidding
of wheels. The dotted lines denote the extent of base when angle iron or flitch
plates are used for base in construction of sleepers.
I fix at side or under carriage, at either end of car, a steel spring scraper for the
purpose of cleaning the tram and groove.
Having described my Invention and the manner of carrying the various modes of
constructing tramways and of fitting and fixing the various parts together, I have
to state that the composite sleepers and tram rails, as specified and described herein,
entirely conform to the requirements and suggestions as contained in the Report of
the Committee of the House of Lords, which was moved by the Earl of Redesdale
on February 20th, 1879, to inquire into the use and construction of tramways; and
I claim as secured to me by the herein before part recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly. Composite tramway sleepers, as shewn at Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, and 33
of annexed Drawings, and herein described.
Secondly. Rolled steel or cast steel, or iron train rail, as shewn at Figs. 5 and 33,
and herein described.
Thirdly. Whin-stone or granite sleeper and tramway combined, as shewn at Fig. 3,
and herein described.
Fourthly. Oak wood sleeper and tramroad combined, as shewn at Figs. 30, 31,
and 32, and herein described.
Fifthly. Brackets or blocks of wood, iron, steel, or wood, iron and steel combined;
as herein described.
Sixthly. Cast steel or chilled iron caps, as herein described.
Seventhly. Chair or block of wood, iron or steel, as herein described.
5

page_text: Eighthly. Rolled steel or iron girders to be used in conjunction with wood or
other material, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Harold Tyrrell Grainger, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
HAROLD TYRRELL GRAINGER. (L.S.)