IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS."-A communication from
abroad by Jules Vautherin, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, Iron-
master.
Sealed the 19th May 1863, and dated the 28th November 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said .William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th November 1862.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS," to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to the application of T and bridge rails as the
transverse sleepers of railways, 'so as to form railroad ways wholly of metal.
When using bridge rails, I invert them, thereby having the flanges upper-
most, to which I rivet a plate of iron, on which the chair is fixed to receive
double-headed rails. I secure single-headed rails to the plates by means of
what are termed gibs and keys when used for keying connecting rods in

page_text: machinery; they are placed in a vertical position, a gib being placed on each
side of the rail, the double head of the gibs embrace at bottom the plate, and
at top the foot of the rail, while the key being afterwards inserted, forces them
up and keeps them in position. The iron plate before mentioned may have
inclined surfaces, so as to give the ordinary slant to the rail on the inside in
curves or otherwise. When employing chairs, the plate may be furnished
with two ribs rolled on it, on which the rail bears, in addition to the chair,
thus giving a widely increased bearing surface to the rail. Instead of
employing bridge rails, I can form the transverse sleepers of T-iron, the iron
plate for the support of the rail being rivetted to the head of the T. A single
plate may extend to several of the T or bridge rail sleepers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th May 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-sixth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
'unto me, the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said
William Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said William Clark, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS," a communication to
me from abroad, by Jules Vautherin, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris,
Ironmaster, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Clark, 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

page_text: Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
=
This Invention relates to improvements in the permanent way of railways,
and consists chiefly in the employment of hollow bridge-rail flanged gutter
iron to form the sleepers, which may be applied either separately and
independently, or as forming ties for longitudinal sleepers. of peculiar con-
struction, as will be herein-after described. When employing independent
sleepers formed of bridge-rail iron, they may be used in either position,
inverted or vice versa.
In the first arrangement, represented at Fig. 1 of the accompanying
Drawings, the rail R rests direct on the head a, b, of the sleeper, the flanges
being rivetted to a plate o, p, which increases the bearing surface of the rail
on the ground. The head of the sleeper' is about an inch and a half in width,
and so presents sufficient bearing surface for the rail, and is also inclined of
about four or five degrees, in order to give the requisite inclination on the inside
of the rail; this is obtained by making the end of the sleeper of the form
shown at Fig. 2, which may be produced while the metal is cold (or it máy
be heated) by compressing the end of the sleeper in a matrix actuated by a
suitable press. In order that the plate m, n, shall rest quite flat on the
ground, I place between it and the flanges of the sleeper rail a small flat strip
of iron, through which a rivet g, h, is passed, uniting at once the flange of the
sleeper to the strip and foot plate.
The method of attaching the flanges of the rails termed Vignoles and Brunel
rails is as follows:-1st, I make two apertures in the head of the sleeper rail
of about an inch and a half in length and five-eighths of an inch in width, at
distances in proportion to the width of the flanges of the rail; 2ndly, I
introduce a wedge or gib with a double head in each of said openings, one end
of which fits on the under part of the head of the sleeper, while the other end
bears on the flanges of the rail; a cotter c, c¹, of slightly taper form being
applied to fix the whole firmly together, as seen in Fig. 3. The groove or
opening made in the head of the sleeper is a little larger than the gib and
cotter, in order to prevent the flanges of the rails from chipping, as; is often
the case.
It will simply be necessary to force up the cotter more or less, in

page_text: order to compensate for the difference of width produced from said cause.
The foot plate is of cast or laminated iron, of from about one-fifth to one-third
of an inch in thickness; corrugated sheet iron may also be used, as shown at
Fig. 3bis of from one-fifteenth to one-thirtieth of an inch in thickness; this
sheet iron, which is rivetted to the flanges of the sleeper rails, ensures due
resistance to pressure notwithstanding its slight thickness.
The double sleepers are furnished with a different arrangement of foot plate,
the rails being united by a fish plate, which, unlike those in ordinary, is
supported at each end, as will be. herein-after described. For this purpose
I use a laminated plate of the form represented at Fig. 4, which is a section
on line A, B, Fig. 5, that is to say, having the same inclination as the ends of
the sleepers above described. This plate is extended at e, F, so as to carry
the entire sleeper T, as also the section of sleeper T, extending only from g
to h, as seen in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. The sleepers T, T', are arranged in such
position that the ends L, L, of the fish plate shall rest on them instead of
being without any support, as in ordinary.
I have before mentioned that the bridge sleepers may be used base upper-
most, or vice versa, and the essential feature in this arrangement consists in
the application of a plate rolled of the form represented in the section on
line C, C¹, Figs. 7 and 8. The flange of the rail rests on the inclined part of
the plate, and is there fixed in the manner above described by means of the
gib and cotter.
The several applications above described refer to single-headed Vignoles or
Brunel rails. For double-headed rails I make the sleepers of double T or
H iron, with large flanges. The iron is first placed in a matrix, which forms
a sort of hollow seat in it for receiving the bottom of the rail, and on each side
of this hollow part there are ear pieces rivetted to the double T-iron formed
of single iron, thus forming a complete iron chair. A foot plate is rivetted to
the lower flange of the double T-iron, to increase its bearing surface, as seen
at Figs. 9 and 10.
Metal sleepers with longitudinal tie bars.-Instead of employing separate
and independent sleepers, I may connect them together by means of tie bars
placed under the cross sleepers formed of bridge iron, as seen in Fig. 11, and
in section at v, x, y, z, Fig. 12. The tie bars are formed of rolled iron, the
groove x, y, being made to lighten them; I may in this manner, instead of
placing a sleeper at every yard of ground, arrange them two or even three
yards apart, and adapt the short end sleepers to the intervals of the same width
only as the longitudinal sleepers serve at once as ties and supports, while the

page_text: short end sleepers only serve as supports to prevent the rail from deflecting too
much. The method of attaching the flange of the rail to the head of the
sleeper is the same as that above described with reference to Figs. 3 and 7.
I
may also employ the same system of longitudinal sleepers with cross sleepers
formed of T-iron, having large flanges supporting angle irons connected together
so as to serve as chairs for doubled-headed rails, as seen at Fig. 9. The
sleepers in this case may also be placed at distances of two or three yards apart,
the same as for bridge iron sleepers, by interposing simple supports between
them, as above described: A still more simple and economical system of
longitudinal sleepers may be obtained by employing plates rolled of the form
seen in section at Figs. 13, 14, and 15, and then corrugating or undulating them,
either hot or cold, by means of grooved rollers, so as to give them the serpen-
tine form seen at Figure 16, the ribs or corrugations being about 2 inches in
width. The plate, Fig. 13, is intended for the ordinary Vignole rail, Fig. 13 bis,
with the flange or foot in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rail; the
inclination of the rail to the inside of the line is obtained by making the
surface a, b, of the plate inclined to the extent desired. When using plates
the surface of which is horizontal, with the exception of the raised ends as at
Fig. 14, I employ rails the flanges of which are inclined as represented at
Fig. 14bis. These two forms of plates last herein described are intended for
single-headed rails, which rest on the undulations on a level with the ground,
while the other parts are buried in the ballast, as seen in Fig. 16. The rail is
connected to the plate by means of the system of gibs and cotters already
described, and represented at Figs. 17 and 17 bls. In Fig. 17 a groove is
shown in the under part of the plate, for the double purpose of lightening it,
and also to enable the gibs to be placed on a level with each other at each
side, so as not to require several sizes of the parts. For double-headed rails
I may employ an ordinary corrugated plate of the same thickness throughout
its length. The upper parts of the undulations present a sufficiently flat
surface for carrying a cast-iron chair or bearing, and if the combination of
cast and wrought iron is to be avoided, a rolled plate may be used, hollowed
towards the centre as already described with reference to Fig. 15. On each
side of the sunk part are rivetted two plates of about 3 inches in width and
formed of angle iron, I thus obtain a kind of chair entirely of iron, which serves
for supporting the rail; Fig. 16 bis represents the iron chair connected to the
undulated longitudinal sleeper; Fig. 18 represents a method of fishing the
ends of single rails and also the connections of the sleepers. This connection
is effected with a bridge or gutter iron of a depth equal to the undulations

page_text: of the iron foot plate; the flanges of said bridge irons are bolted to the extremi-
ties of each of the longitudinal sleepers, and as the bridge rail is placed about
midway between each undulation, or about one foot apart, it results that by
having the joint of the rails between the last undulation of the plate and the
head of the bridge iron, the fish plate will rest both on the undulated plate
and bridge iron, the whole will thus have proper support. The bridge. iron
forming the cross sleepers not only serves as a support for the fish plate, but
also aids in connecting and tying the two rails together; and as a further means
of connection I also apply a system of cross bars formed either of T-iron of
about three inches in width, crossed one over the other, or I may use bridge or
gutter iron for the purpose, one of which is placed base uppermost, and both
being connected to the upper and lower flanges of the cross sleepers as represented
in plan at Fig. 19. The advantages of this system of sleeper will be readily
understood. Thus the part which is covered in with the ballast retains the
sleeper firmly in the ground out of reach of any changes of temperature or
inclement weather, at same time the corrugation of the plate increases its
rigidity to such a degree that even in case the ballast should not bear on the
sleeper throughout, the passage of trains would not put it out of shape to any
sensible extent. Another very great advantage of the undulated or corrugated
sleeper is that it furnishes points of support to the rails at very limited distances
apart, which enables lighter rails to be used.
In the Drawings the corrugations are represented as of about twenty
inches in length and four inches in depth. It will be understood that I reserve
to myself the right of augmenting or decreasing these dimensions, as also to vary
the conditions of the several parts. In those countries where the consistency
of the soil is not affected by atmospheric changes, I may employ the system of
sleepers above described without being corrugated, the rail in this case would
rest throughout the length of the sleeper. I have before mentioned that
sleepers of double T form may be applied both for single and double headed
rails, but more especially for the latter. In this case it has also been stated
that the upper flange of the double T, after being slightly compressed in a
matrix at the part which is to carry the rail, has two angle irons rivetted on each
side of said part, so as to form a chair composed entirely of wrought iron, which
is much more solid than a cast-iron chair fixed to the sleeper. Cast-iron
chairs may, however, be employed if it is desired to utilize existing material.
Instead of using double T-iron, I may use ordinary T-iron, which possesses the
advantage of being lighter, and is more easily shaped in the matrix, as above
mentioned in forming the iron chair. Fig. 20 represents a sleeper formed

page_text: of ordinary T-iron, to which a cast-iron chair may be fixed. The T-iron
having no flanges at the base is connected to the foot plate, which serves
to support it on the ground by means of angle irons of about five inches by
two and a half inches, which bear against the lower part of the stem of the
T-iron, which is fixed between them, and the whole united together by
means of strong rivets a, a', while the base of the angle iron is connected
by means of rivets 6, 61, 61, 6111, to the plate iron G, H, which serves to
carry the sleeper as seen in Fig. 21. In order to economize the metal,
instead of making the angle irons to run the whole length of the base
plate, they may be of only about two inches in width, and two or three of
then be applied as represented in Fig. 22, thus forming ribs on the base
plate, which may thus be of the minimum thickness possible, or about one-
tenth of an inch. Instead of employing angle irons in the form of strips
connected together as described. I may support the cross sleeper when
formed of the T-iron and connect it to the bed plate by means of small bent
iron plates of about three and a half inches at base, and three in depth, these
I place under the flanges on each side of the cross T-iron sleeper in such
manner as to serve as a support, therefore the upper edges of the plates are
rivetted to these flanges, while the lower flanges are connected by rivets to the
bed plate.
These bent irons serve the same purpose as the angle irons before
described, inasmuch as they serve as a support to the T-iron sleeper and also
as a means of connection with the bed plate, to which they form strengthening
ribs, as seen in Fig. 23. This application of T-iron to form the sleepers of rail-
ways is the same as the double T-iron before described, and is more especially
adapted for double-headed rails. It is, however, easy to adapt them to single-
headed rails by rolling the flanges at an inclination equal to about four or five
degrees, or the sleeper may have the requisite inclination imparted by means
of a matrix. Instead of placing the T-iron flange uppermost, its position may
be reversed, so that the head of the T-rail shall rest on the base plate; in this
arrangement the chair in the case of a double-headed rail, or the flange
of a single rail, would rest on angle irons connected to the inverted T-iron,
as seen in Fig. 24. When the head of the T-iron is inverted as above
described the chair rests on the angle irons M, N, O, P, Q, which are
connected and rivetted to the upright stem of the inverted T, on the base of
which a small bead r, s, is made when rolling the iron for better securing the
ends of the angle irons. This arrangement is also applicable for any other
kind of rail fixed by means of cotters or chairs, the advantage when using the
Vignoles rail over the arrangement in which the position of the T-iron is

page_text: .
reversed is that the parts M, N, O, P, may be made of considerable thickness,
without however greatly increasing the weight of the whole system, as the
angle iron only runs the length of the base plate a, b, while the flanges of the
T-iron, if of great thickness and extending the whole length of the cross
sleeper, would greatly increase its weight.
Another combination producing great economy in material consists in the
use of flat iron slightly splayed out at the head, to which are rivetted irons
of U or form in cross section, the upper flange of which supports the
chair or foot of the rail, while the lower flange is rivetted to the bed plate.
This gutter iron (1) being only the same length as the bed plate or even less,
it will be understood that its weight will not equal the saving obtained by the
suppression of the flange of the T-iron which runs throughout the sleepers of
that kind. Fig. 25 illustrates this improved kind of sleeper formed of U or
double angle () or gutter iron at E, F, G, H, and E, F, G, H', which
are rivetted to a flat iron plate slightly spread at top, as seen at A, B, C, D.
The U-iron only extends the length of the base plate, while the bar A, B, C, D,
forms the main part of the sleeper, and extends throughout its whole length;
may use either cast-iron sleepers in this arrangement or it may be the system
of bearing formed of angle irons connected and applied as before described.
The same method may be employed for the support of Vignole rails, while the
depth of the U-iron may be varied from two inches upwards, I have before
stated that iron cross sleepers may also be made by means of angle iron
of L-form in cross section, angle irons being applied at each extremity. Sleepers
formed of flat plates or bars of iron have also been described, having angle
irons of -form applied at each extremity and on the base plates; in this
case instead of the lower portion of the angle iron being vertical or at right
angles to the flanges as before described, it will be of advantage to give it an
oblique position, as shown in Figs. 26 and 27, which facilitates the rivitting;
this U-shape is also more readily produced when the iron is in a heated
state.
The principal features of the several combinations according to my Invention
comprised above are, 1st, the peculiar form of bridge for gutter iron sleepers,
as also in the rolled plates employed.
2ndly, the means employed for obtaining the requisite inclination on the
independent sleepers as also in the longitudinal plates for receiving the foot
of Vignoles' rails, and also for forming the hollows. or seats necessary for
lodging the bottom ends of the double rails.
3rdly, in the method of attaching the foot of the rail either to the head of

page_text: the bridge rail forming the sleeper or to the plates superposed on said sleepers,
by means of gibs secured to the foot of the rails by means of cotters, which
arrangement is at once simple, strong, and convenient, inasmuch as it permits
of the removal of the rail without disturbing the sleeper.
4thly, in the application of iron chairs or bearings formed of double iron T,
previously shaped in a matrix, or it may be applied to the longitudinal plate
or sleeper, which is rolled of a suitable form to receive the bottom of the
ordinary double-headed rail.
5thly, in the application of undulated sheet or plate iron to permanent way,
either for forming sleepers or bed plates under the independent cross sleepers,
in order to increase their bearing on the ground, which novel application
offers great advantages as regards solidity and saving in the weight of
metal.
I claim as my exclusive right all the different parts herein enumerated,
whether taken separately or in combination, more especially the method of
fixing the rails and the system of undulated plate or sheet sleepers, which
possess features both of great utility and novelty. I also reserve the right
of making any modifications or varying the dimensions of the several component
parts of the said Invention as may be determined by experience. I also
reserve the right of applying T-iron inverted or otherwise, or it may be flat
iron slightly spread at the one end instead of the double T-iron before mentioned,
as also the method of connecting said T-iron to the base plate supporting the
sleeper on the ground, which arrangement is effected by means of angle
irons placed on each side of the stem of the T-rail. The advantage of using
iron of this form consists in the considerable saving in the weight of metal
employed, which is also more easily shaped when to be used for the support of
double-headed rails. The dimensions of the T-irons and angles may be varied
as determined by experience.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, I claim forming separate and independent sleepers of bridge or
gutter iron, and also the application of double T-iron with broad flanges,
having suitable seats provided therein for carrying double-headed rails, all as
herein-before described.
Secondly, I claim the application of similar sleepers connected together by
means of ties underneath the sleepers, so as to afford a continuous firm bed
for the same, all as before described.

page_text: Thirdly, I claim the application of undulated longitudinal plates connected
either by means of bridge iron of the same depth as the undulations of the
plates or by means of cross ties as described. And also the various improve-
ments in permanent way herein described and represented in the Drawings
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
JAMES DAISH,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.