AND RELATING TO RAILS FOR RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS, AND IN THE METHODS OR APPLIANCES FOR SECURING THE SAME
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Wheeler at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st March 1880.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
CHARLES WHEELER, of Newbury, in the County of Berks.
AND RELATING TO RAILS FOR RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS, AND IN THE METHODS
OR APPLIANCES FOR SECURING THE SAME."
One feature in my Invention as applied to railways is, in forming the rail as it
were in two pieces, one preferably of steel, the "head," and the other preferably of
iron, the lower portion. For this purpose I generally make the lower portion of an
inverted T shape in section, the centre rib standing up, and the flat flange being
secured in any convenient manner to the sleepers, longitudinal or otherwise. The
rail or "head" is rolled with the top of ordinary section, the underside being how-
ever formed with a groove to fit over the projecting rib of the lower part; a pin of
any suitable material, preferably of iron or steel and split, passes through holes in
both flanges of the "head" and the rib of the lower part. By this arrangement the
"head" can be removed without disturbing the permanent way. In another form
I take, say, an ordinary single headed rail, but I continue the rail on the underside
of the flange, so that the flange is in the centre, and one head of the rail above and
another below. This form of rail may be secured with bolts to wood blocks or
otherwise, as found desirable.
A third form is rolled with a vertical web, and the wearing surfaces extending
sideways on opposite sides, one at top and the other at bottom; this forms the
"head," and the rib of the chair lies against the web of this, the arm which is in use,
the head being reversible resting on the top of the rib. If necessary a second rib
may be cast on the chair to give increased strength and steadiness. Suitable pins
or bolts pass through the web and rib or ribs, as in the first instance. A return
flange is sometimes added from the extremity of each arm, and suitable springs
can be placed within the cavity thus formed between the top of the rib-and-the
underside of the arm on one side, and between the body of the chair and the
inverted top of the head of the other arm not in use.
For tramrails I use a similar form to that first described for railways, only the
"head" is rather different in section to meet the requirements. The advantage of
being able to remove and renew the "head" without taking up the roadway must
be obvious.
In another form I use a chair having a plain recess in which the rail lies, the rail

page_text: "
being so formed with a groove both top and bottom that one part is broad to carry
the tread of the wheel, and the other narrow leaving the usual groove for the
flange of the wheel to run in. Suitable pins may run through both the chair
flanges and the rail, as before; this rail is reversible. Another form of tramrail is
varied by having a flange rolled on each side (to lie horizontally), and the rail is
bolted down by this to ordinary wood sleepers; this is also reversible.
In another form I retain the lower portion of rail with central rib (as in the first
described railway one), and place over it a broad rail like an arch, the centre
resting upon the rib, and the flanges coming down on each side, and suitable pins
or bolts passing through all three, as before. A groove is rolled preferably in the
centre of the "head" so that both sides being strong enough to take the tread of
the wheel when one side is worn out, the rail may be turned round end for end and
the other side be used. The chairs (chiefly for railways) which I prefer to use
resemble in general form those now 'in use, but one side is made removable; it
slides upon a dovetail projection upon the chair, and when the rail is in place is
pushed up and secured in position by suitable fastenings. I also prefer to form a
recess in both of the sides, in which if desired may be inserted springs, which press
against the central web of the rail when the ordinary rail is used. This fastening
usually takes the form of a cotter or wedge which may be readily driven in.