IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS, RAIL SUPPORTS, AND FASTENINGS, AND THE NUT FASTENINGS OF RAIL BOLTS FOR THE FERMANENT WAY OF RAILROADS
Year: 1860

page_text: TTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of, Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS, RAIL SUPPORTS, AND FASTENINGS, AND
THE NUT FASTENINGS OF RAIL BOLTS FOR THE FERMANENT WAY OF RAILROADS."
-A communication from abroad by George Willard Reed Bayley, of
Brashear. Louisiana.-United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th February 1860.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS, RAIL SUPPORTS, AND FASTENINGS.
AND THE NUT FASTENINGS OF RAIL BOLTS. FOR THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILROADS,
to be as follows:-
The first part of the present Invention consists in a peculiar formed rever-
sible rail, which, on account of its configuration, it is proposed to denominate
the reversible Z-rail; with this rail is combined the double-headed with the
[Price Su

page_text: flat-footed rail, being flat-footed one side and double-headed (so far as the
wheel tread is concerned) the other side, and with this form of rail I am
enabled to preserve the requisite strength with a much less weight of iron than
usual.
The second part of the Invention consists in supporting, bracing, and giving
an artificial bearing to railway rails, particularly the Z-rail, at the intermediate
cross ties between the joints, or, if necessary, at the joints themselves, so
as to obtain at such points on the cross ties any desired width of rail base,
without adding to the weight of the rail, and without using bolts to effect this
object.
For this purpose are used either wrought or cast-iron brace pieces, which
are confined in place upon the cross ties and against the outside of the rails
by one or more hold-down spikes (having a peculiar rounded head) which
are driven either through the base of the brace-bearing piece or through a
notch punched through the thin edge of the base of the same, so that when
these pieces are properly confined in place, there will be no possibility of their
escape during the passage of the trains, as the weight of the same only holds
them more firmly in position, and supports the thin lip of the rail under its
head, and supplies all the bearing surface on the sleeper required.
The third part of the Invention relates to a novel method of securing the
joints of railway rails by means of brackets and fishing bars, and at the same
time securing the rail brackets and fishing bars down firmly to the cross ties or
sleepers, dispensing with the ordinary screw bolts and the objections attending
their use, while the parts forming the rail will be rendered more substantial
and less liable to injury or to come loose by the passing and repassing of the
trains over the rail.
The nature of this part of the Invention consists in combining with the
reversible Z-rail or any other form of rail a fishing bar, which shall be of a
suitable length, placed on the inside and between the heads or head and foot of
the rail, and a bracket which is to be of the same length as the fishing bar
above mentioned and placed on the outside of the rail, the vertical portion of
which or that portion which supports the thin edge of the head rail being similar
to the fishing bar, but this latter piece has a portion extending out at right
angles, the under side of which is in a plane with the rails base. These parts,
bracket, and fishing bar extend across the rail joints, and are clamped to the
rail and the sleeper by a peculiar device consisting of a wedge-bolt, wedge-keys,
and gib-shaped pieces, with a spike driven through into the sleeper through
a hole punched through the base of the bracket, the whole being clamped in
such a manner that the bracket and fishing bar will be secured rigidly to the

page_text: rail and the whole held securely down to the sleeper, the head of the spike
serving the two-fold purpose of retaining the key-wedge in place, and as a hold-
down spike.
The fourth part of the Invention relates to a novel method of securing the
rail joints by bolts, and in preventing them from working loose in consequence
of the jars and concussions of passing trains, and thereby obviating the main
objections to the use of bolts and nuts for this purpose. For effecting this
object the Invention consists in the employment of a suitable wedge or nut-
guard which, when these nuts are tightened up is placed under them in such a
manner as to form a perfect lock, and prevent them from getting loose by
the jarring and concussion of the passing train over the rail.
The fifth part of the Invention is an improvement in railroad spikes, and it
consists in forming a rail spike-head of a peculiar shape and forming in the
back of the head a supplemental lip for allowing the insertion under it of an
edged crowbar for drawing out the spike, the head of the spike being so
formed in this Invention that it will keep the nut guards in place and securely
lock them under the nuts of the rail bolts where nut bolts are used, and so
that the head of the spikes will fit bevelled-shaped recesses in the nut fasten-
ings and brackets or brace-bearing pieces, and not only keep them in
place but prevent them from tilting or moving in any direction. The peculiar
shaped head given to this rail spike is much stronger than the ordinary spike
bead and will adapt itself to all the various requirements of a hold-down
Spike.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 8th August 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Edward Newton, Her special license that I, the said William
Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and

page_text: 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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS, RAIL SUPPORTS, AND FASTENINGS. AND THE NUT
FASTENINGS OF RAIL BOLTS FOR THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILROADS," being a
communication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said William Edward Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, 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 William Edward Newton, 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 Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The first part of the present Invention consists in a peculiarly formed rever-
sible rail, which, on account of its configuration, it is proposed to denominate
the reversible Z-rail; with this rail is combined the double-headed with the
flat-footed rail, being flat-footed one side and double-headed (so far as the
wheel tread is concerned) the other side, and with this form of rail I am
enabled to preserve the requisite strength with a much less weight of iron than
usual.
The second part of the Invention consists in supporting, bracing, and giving
an artificial bearing to railway rails, particularly the Z-rail at the intermediate
cross ties between the joints, or if necessary at the joints themselves, so
as to obtain at such points on the cross ties any desired width of rail base,
without adding to the weight of the rail, and without using bolts to effect this
object. For this purpose are used either wrought or cast-iron brace picces, which
are confined in place upon the cross ties and against the outside of the rails
by one or more hold down spikes having a peculiar rounded head which
are driven either through the base of the brace-bearing piece or through a
notch punched through the thin edge of the base of the same, so that when
these pieces are properly confined in place, there will be no possibility of their
escape during the passage of the trains, as the weight of the same only holds
them more firmly in position, and supports the thin lip of the rail under its
head, and supplies all the bearing surface on the sleeper required.

page_text: The third part of the Invention relates to a novel method of securing the
joints of railway rails by means of brackets and fishing bars, and at the same
time securing the rail brackets and fishing bars down firmly to the cross ties or
sleepers, dispensing with the ordinary screw bolts and the objections attending
their use, while the parts forming the rail will be rendered more substantial
and less liable to injury or to come loose by the passing and repassing of the
trains over the rail. This part of the Invention consists in combining with
the reversible Z-rail, or any other form of rail a fishing bar, which shall be
of a suitable length, placed on the inside and between the heads
or head and foot of the rail and a bracket, which is to be of the same length
as the fishing bar above-mentioned, and placed on the outside of the rail, the
vertical portion of which, or that portion which supports the thin edge of the
rail head being similar to the fishing bar, but this latter piece has a portion
extending out at right angles, the under side of which is in a plane with the
rail's base. These parts, bracket and fishing bar, extend across the rail
joints, and are clamped to the rail and the sleeper by a peculiar device con-
sisting of a wedge bolt, wedge keys. and gib-shaped pieces with a spike
driven through into the sleeper through a hole punched through the base of
the bracket, the whole being clamped in such a manner, that the bracket and
fishing bar will be secured rigidly to the rail, and the whole held securely down
to the sleeper, the head of the spike serving the two-fold purpose of retaining
the key wedge in place and as a hold down spike.
The fourth part of the Invention relates to a novel method of securing the
rail joints by bolts, and in preventing them from working loose in consequence
of the jars and concussions of passing trains, and thereby obviating the main
objections to the use of bolts and nuts for this purpose. For effecting this
object, the Invention consists in the employment of a suitable wedge or nut-
guard, which, when these nuts are tightened up, is placed under them in such a
manner as to form a perfect lock, and prevent them from getting loose by
the jarring and concussion of the passing train over the rail.
The fifth part of the Invention is an improvement in railroad spikes, and it
consists in forming a rail spike head of a peculiar shape, and forming in the
back of the head a supplemental lip for allowing the insertion under it of an
edged crowbar for drawing out the spike. The head of the spike is so formed
that it will keep the nut guards in place, and securely lock them under the
nuts of the rail bolis where nut bolts are used, and the head of the spikes will
fit bevilled-shaped recesses in the nut fastenings and brackets or brace-bearing
pieces, and not only keep then in place, but prevent them from tilting or
moving in any direction. The peculiar shaped head given to this rail spike is

page_text: much stronger than the ordinary spike head, and will adapt itself to all the
various requirements of a hold-down spike.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 represents on a scale of one-third
the real size a transverse section at the rail's joint, showing the reversible
Z-rail, the angular bracket, the inside fishing bar, the rail bolt and nut, with
this nut locked in place by the nut fastening on the outside of the rail, the
whole being held down to a cross-tie by spikes. Fig. 2 represents a side view
of the outside of Fig. 1. The rail joint is shewn as occuring between a pair
or cross-ties or wooden sleepers, and the joints of both lines of rails are oppo-
site each other. Each pair of bolts clamping the bracket and fishing bar to the
end of each rail are placed over a cross-tic or sleeper, and the nuts of each pair
of bolts have a nut fastening of their own. Fig. 3 is a top view of Figures 1
and 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the rail bracket, fishing bar, nut fast-
ening, and hold-down spike at the rail joint, drawn of full size. It will be
observed that the square shoulder of the rail bolt extends through the fishing-
bar and rail stem in order to prevent the bolt from turning. The peculiar
hook-headed spike d is shown in this Figure holding the nut-fastening in its
place on the outside of the rail. "Outside" and "inside" are used in reference
to the track or lines of rails; outside of the line of rails or inside. of same.
This will apply wherever the words are used. Fig. 5 is a top view of the nut
fastening, drawn full size. The bevilled recess for the reception of the spike
head is shown in this Figure. The position of the head, when properly seated
in the nut fastening, is shown in dotted lines, also the square shank of the
spike. Fig. 6 is a front view of Fig. 5, full size. Fig. 7 represents the shape
and natural size of the bolt holes in the brackets. Fig. 8 represents the bolt
hole in the fishing bar; the bolt V having a square shoulder, with bevilled
corners, as shown. Fig. 9 represents the bolt hole in the rail stem. The
allowance for expansion and contraction by heat and cold of the rails is made
in the rail bolt holes. The rail bolt is shewn in its position when the rail ends
are touching, the joint being to the right hand of the Figure. Fig. 10 is a
side view of the rail bolts, and Fig. 11 is an end view of the same, with the
nut off from the nut end of the bolt. Fig. 12 is a view of the under side of
the hold down spike. Fig. 13 is a top view of the spike head. Fig. 14 is a
back view of the spike. The curved bevilled sides to fit the sides of the recess
in the nut fastening are shown clearly in this Figure. Fig. 15 is a side view
of the hold-down spike; the supplemental lip for withdrawing the spike is
clearly shewn in this Figure. Fig. 16 is a front view of the spike. Fig. 17
is an end view of the Z-rail, with an oak or other wood piece outside, inter-
mediate between joints, for supporting and stiffening laterally the rail. Fig. 18

page_text: is a side view of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a top view of Figures 17 and 18. Fig. 20 is
a transverse section of the rail at an intermediate point between the rail joints.
A two bolt outside bracket, without the fishing bar inside, would be used as
shown, in this instance, to give additional strength to the rail at one or more
points intermediate between the rail joints. Fig. 21 is a side view of Fig. 20
Fig. 22 is a top view of Figure 20 and 21. Fig. 23 is a side view outside of
a compound rail formed by making the outside bracket continuous and of the
same length as the main rail. The joint of the outside bracket-shaped piece
would occur at the middle of the main rail, and two bolts, with nut fastenings,
would only be used at each joint of the main rail and of the outside piece.
Two bolt fishing bars would be used at the main rail joints inside. Single bolts
with a nut fastening for a single nut, would be used intermediate between
joints. Fig. 24 is a top view of Fig. 23. Fig. 25 is a transverse section of
a flat-footed rail recessed into the top of the wooden sleeper, with the joint
secured by the ordinary fishing bars.. It represents the application modified
to suit the required conditions of the nut fastening to the nuts of fishing bar
rail bolts. Fig. 26 is another transverse sectional view, in which the rail is not
recessed into the cross tie or wooden sleeper, as in Fig. 25. Fig. 27, trans-
verse section, showing the application of the nut fastening to the bolt nuts of
side brackets when used with flat-footed rails. Fig. 28 is a similar view,
except that the rail is double headed. Fig. 29 is a transverse section of the
rail and its support at a point intermediate between the joints, with a cast-iron
knee brace bearing piece, half size. Fig. 30 is a side view of Fig. 29.
Fig. 31 is a top view of Figures 29 and 30. Fig. 32 is a transverse section
similar to Fig. 29, except that the rail end and the brace-bearing piece are not
recessed into the sleeper, but a footing is shown, as given to the brace-bearing
piece, for relieving the lateral strain from the spike. Fig. 33 is a transverse
section representing a wedge bolt rail joint. Fig. 34 is a side view of Fig. 33.
Fig. 35 is a top view of Figures 33 and 34.
the wedge bolt used in Figures 33, 34, and 35. Fig. 37 is a side view of
Fig. 36. Fig. 38 is a transverse section through the centre of the wedge bolt
of a wedge bolt rail joint for use, with rolled iron fishing bar and bracket.
Fig. 39 is a brace-bearing piece of a peculiar pattern, with a web on the
inside, and in the middle of its length. A represents the reversible rail
formed with its stem to one side of the centre line of the rail, so that when the
rail is laid down upon the cross ties or sleepers, the thin edge B to the head
at the rail base is inside and outside at the rail head, forming a reversible flat-
flooted and double-headed Z-rail, possessing all the advantages of the reversible
rails, with a much less weight of iron, and adding strength against breaking
Fig. 36 is a top view or plan of

page_text: down to the rounded inside lips C, where the strain is greatest. In the
general arrangement of this rail in order to give it permanency, I will use at
the rail joints two cross ties I, I, placed at a suitable distance apart. The joint
bracket E and fishing bar E' will each be twenty-two inches long, and the
bolts which clamp them to the rail will be six inches from centre to centre..
The slots for the hold-down spikes G will be punched midway between the.
outer pairs of bolts, and the two single two-bolt nut fastenings will be used at
the rail joint; this will bring the rail joint between the two joint ties, which are
four inches apart.
The rails in this instance will be rolled in thirty feet
lengths, and at each ten feet of the rail's length a ten-inch (or two bolt)
bracket is used outside, with no fishing bar inside, as shewn in Figures 20, 21,
and 22. The bolt head abuts directly against the rail stem on the inside of
the rail. Should it be found necessary, bolsters or angle pieces of wood spiked
down to the cross-ties outside may be used intermediate between the half
brackets. The rail nut bolts all have a square shoulder, as shown by Figures 10
and 11, and square bolt holes in the inner fishing bar (or bracket, if used out-
side) and in the rail stem, so that only one nut fastening is needed on the nut
side of the rail. The square shoulder will thus prevent the nut from turning,
and the bracket on the nut side of the rail may be dispensed with, and the nut
fastenings will lock the nut securely and prevent them from working loose in
consequence of the jar and concussions of passing trains.
The second Sheet of the Drawings represents the brace-bearing pieces
applied to the Z-rail, Figures 29 and 33, and their different views, are recessed
into the cross ties or sleepers, with a view of affording to the rail a better hold
laterally upon the sleeper, as well as to reduce the level of the rolling surface,
as compared to the bearing surface. The outward thrust or strain upon the
hold-down spikes is much reduced by so doing. This latter end may be accom-
plished without sinking the rail into the cross ties or sleepers, by casting a pro-
jection or footing H upon the outer edge of the base piece J, which is recessed
into the cross tie, as shewn in Fig. 32. These remarks are applicable to all
the figures where this recessing or countersinking into the cross tie or sleeper
is represented.
The brace-bearing pieces for giving support and adding to the strength of
the rail on the intermediate cross ties between the rail joints consist in com-
bining with the basc portion K, which shall have any desirable width of base,
a brace piece L, or what would be essentially the same casting with the knee
bracket M a brace piece or pieces L' extending from the outer edge of the
tread of the rail to the thin edge of the light angular base piece of the bracket.
Or in other words, the brace or braces L' is inclined at an angle of forty-five.

page_text: degrees from the intersection of the lines of the outer side of the rail stem, and
the under side of the thin outer lip produced, but this angle and its position
may be varied to suit the assumed lateral thrust of the passing load. The base
of the base-bearing piece of Fig. 39 abuts against the rounded portion of the
rail base; and is here made concave to fit the same, it therefore acts as a
retaining piece to the rail base when properly spiked down by one or more
spikes to the cross tie, while its broad base (in this Figure equal to the rail's
height) gives an ample bearing surface for the load of passing trains. This
design is for cast iron, having a web a of suitable thickness at the middle of its
length inside, which acts also to hold down against the rail base; by omitting
this web a; this brace-bearing piece may be made of rolled iron cast into
suitable lengths, and its sections may be tightened' to suit the change of
material. This brace-bearing piece is held down to the cross tie by a spike G',
the head of which is driven into a notch and countersunk into the edge of the
base K.
I do not wish to confine myself to the particular designs of brace-bearing
pieces herein described' and represented on Sheet II., for many more could be
readily devised which would combine the brace bearing with an artificial base,
whereby any desired width of rail base could be obtained on the cross ties
without adding to the rail's weight, and without the necessity of using. bolts to
confine the same to the rail. The hold-down spike will confine the brace-
bearing pieces in position to the side of the rail, and the projecting thin lips of
the rail's head will prevent the possibility of its escape while throwing upon it
during the passage of the trains its full share of the rolling load. From six to
eight inches base on, each cross tie (or even more, if desired) can thus be
readily obtained by the use of these artificial base pieces or brace-bearing
pieces in conjunction with the Z-rail, and they are self-retaining and self-
adjusting.
Figs. 33, 34, 35, and 38 of Sheet III., represent the combined double-
headed and flat-footed rail, or the reversible Z-rail with the improved wedge.
bolt for securing the joints of the rails together, and the rails themselves to the
cross ties or sleepers. A are the rails. On the inside or inner rolling face of
this rail A is a fishing bar or splice E' introduced between the heads C, B, of
the rail at the rail joint having its inner face or that nearest the stem of the
rail concave with its outer surface in a vertical plane at right angles with the
base of the rail; the upper and lower edges of this fishing bar E¹, are rounded
off so as to conform to the shape of the inside of the heads of the rail, and so
that when the fishing bar is clamped in place, it will serve as a solid support.
for the inner lips. of. the rail's head, at the same time it will present. lightness

page_text: and compactness. On the opposite or outside of the rail and between the thin
lips of the rail's head and the rounded lips at the rail base is a rectangular
bracket E, the vertical position of which serves as a support for the thin lip of
the rail on the outside, to prevent it from being broken down, and that portion
at right angles to it serves as an artificial base to the rail. This bracket is
fitted to the outside of the rail, as represented by the Figures above referred to,
and is of the same length as the fishing bar E¹ on the opposite side of the rail
joint.
These parts, the fishing bar and bracket, are now clamped to the rail, and
in the same operation of clamping are secured down to the sleepers at the rail
joints in the following manner: T is a flat wedge bolt of wrought iron or
stecl three inches wide by three and a quarter inches thick, with a hole for the
reception of the gib-shaped piece (or pieces) b, the wedge key c, and the spike
G; the bolt T passes transversely through the fishing bar, rail, stem, and
bracket and is fastened from the outside of the rail. The slot in the rail stem
through which the bolt passes is made slightly longer than the width of the bolt,
so as to allow for expansion and contraction. One of these bolts through each
rail end is considered quite sufficient, although the length of the fishing bar and
bracket may be such as to admit of two bolts on each side of the rail joint,
should it in any case be found necessary. In securing or clamping the parts
together the rails are laid upon the sleepers in their proper position with the
bracket and fishing bar placed on each side of the rail joint, as before stated;
the bolts are then passed through from the inside of the rail and the jib-shaped
piece b first introduced through the hole in the bolt, and brought up so as to
abut evenly against the outer surface of the bracket, this piece b is made
tapering from its lower end. The wedge key c is next introduced, this 'key
has only one of its sides tapering, the other side being vertical, so that the
spike may be driven perpendicular into the sleeper. This spike, which is to
be from eight inches to ten inches long, is then driven down through the hole
in the bolt into the wooden sleeper through a hole punched through the base
of the bracket E, carrying with it the wedge key c, and clamping the parts
securely together, and retaining the wedge c securely in place by the head of
the spike, as shewn by Figures 33 and 38, and confining the whole to the
sleeper. The joints may be readily tightened up (should they become loose
from any cause) by driving the spike G¹, and the hooked head shown upon the
spikes in all the Figures allows for the withdrawal of the spike and a ready
separation of the parts. The rail and bracket in the Figures herein referred
to are held down by spikes on the outside and inside of the rail end on either
side of the rail joint. This wedge rail bolt may be used in a variety of ways

page_text: and with rails, fishing bars and brackets of other pattern, without in any way
deviating from the essential features of the Invention.
Another mode of securing the joints of railway rails is by locking the nuts
of ordinary rail bolts. This mode is shewn by Sheets I. and II. of the accom-
panying Drawings, with the Z-rail recessed into the cross-tie, and having
angular brackets, or a bracket and fishing bar on either side of and between
the heads of the rails, or between the lips of the head and base under the
table. The bolts pass laterally through these brackets or fishing bars, and
through the rail stem, and receive nuts on their ends for rigidly clamping up
the parts. The Invention is shown as applied to the Z and Trail, but it will
be obvious from the following description that it is applicable to all varieties
of rails where bolts can be used.
The
In Figures 1 and 4 A represents the Z-rail recessed into grooves in the
cross ties, and confined at the joint by rectangular knee brackets E, or a
rectangular bracket on the outside of the rail, and a fishing bar E¹ on the
inside of the rail. These are clamped to the rail A by screw bolts V passing
through them, and the rail stem two on each side of the rail joint.
brackets are confined to the cross ties by holding-down spikes G driven into
slots or notches punched through the edges of the bracket's base. The nuts of
the bolts and the bolts themselves are locked and prevented from turning by
the nut fastenings B¹, which are inserted in the angle of the bracket pieces,
and under the nuts and heads of the bolts. The nut guards themselves are
retained under the nuts, and are kept in place by the holding down spikes G,
the heads of which abut against them. The abutting face of the head of the
rail spike is slightly bevilled downwards, and rounded off horizontally, as
will be herein-after described. The nut guard B' is prevented from moving
longitudinally by means of recesses corresponding to the shape of the spike
head into which the heads of the spikes are driven. I have only referred
to one form of nut guard, but there are many forms which could be used, and
still preserve the locking principle.
The objection to a bolted joint is that such joints constantly wear loose.
The nuts must be locked securely whenever tightened up, or a bolted joint is
defective, and so of all screw bolts wherever used in the permanent way of
railways. The mode of locking effectually remedies the above difficulties, and
provides for the locking the nuts of rail bolts at each quarter revolution of the
nut, and it allows for tightening up at any time. The nut guards may be made
of cast iron, rolled iron, or wrought iron stamped into shape in a suitable die
or mould, or in some cases they may be made of wood or of any metal besides
ron. The spike represented in the three Sheets of Drawings has a sup-

page_text: plemental lipd. (Figures 1 and 4) projecting out from behind its head;
which allows for the insertion of a claw bar for starting the spike, altogether.
This lip permits the spike to be withdrawn with ease and facility, and without
bending or twisting the shank as is invariably the case in the usual method of
drawing common rail spikes, and frequently these spikes are so bent and
otherwise injured in Drawing as to render them useless with the supplemental
lip d; wherever the spikes occur they can be drawn vertically without bending
or injuring them; therefore they can be used agains The head of the improved:
rail spike has its sides e, e, and front of the head bevilled downwards and
inwards; but convex: This configuration of the head fits into a corresponding:
recess or bevilled sided hole formed in the thin edge of the nut fastening B
for locking the nuts for rail bolts as before described, and prevents the fasten-
ings from getting loose or moving in any direction; at the same time serving
as a.holding-down spike to: secure the rail to the cross: ties or sleepers.
In the use of the artificial base pieces, or. brace-bearing pieces; a spike of
this description..is- very necessary for keeping the pieces in a firm and steady
position against the outside face of the rail, and preventing it from getting:
loose, for when these pieces are used, they are held up against the rail, and
in place only by the spike bolts being dispensed with, and it is necessary. for
the spike head to act as a securing head. The brackets, base-bearing pieces,
nut fastenings, and all those parts in which a spike can be used advanta-
geously will be rendered more secure by using the improved spike, and the
spikes will in every instance, where their heads are recessed into the parts,
hold these pieces down as well as sideways, and prevent the possibility of
their getting loose or escaping in any direction. These spikes are especially
adapted and particularly useful for the present improvements in rails, rail
supports, and the nut fastenings for rail bolts, still they will be found equally
if not more efficient than the ordinary. railroad spike. as a hold-down spike.
Having now described the Invention that has been communicated to me as
aforesaid, and having explained the manner of carrying the same into effect,
I claim, first, the reversible Z-rail, and the manner of applying the same as
herein.set forth.
Second, the brace-bearing pieces placed outside against the side and under
the head of the rail on the intermediate cross ties, for giving an artificial
width of base to the rail at these points, so that the downward and outward
pressure of the rolling load upon them will be transmitted through the outer
projecting lip of the rail's head as herein-shown.
Third, the manner herein set forth of securing the joints of railway rails by
wedge bolts, in, place of ordinary. screw, bolts.

page_text: Fourth, locking the nuts of rail bolts by means of a piece of metal, or of
wood or other suitable material inserted between the nuts of the bolts, the
angle of the bracket or side piece, and the heads of the holding-down spikes
as set forth.
Fifth, the improved railroad spike herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Eighth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
0 Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)