IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1859

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Currie Gregory at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st
December 1859.
I, THOMAS CURRIE GREGORY, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CARRIAGES," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates essentially to the adaptation to railway carriages as
at present in use on British railways, that is, without any alteration of the
existing rolling stock in itself, of the comforts and conveniences of a steam
vessel, so that long journeys may be accomplished with comfort to passengers
and without the necessity of the long stoppages now made.
In carrying out these improvements in actual practice, the railway carriages,
which, as at present used, are really only serviceable for day travelling, are
converted into sleeping apartments, being fitted up with sleeping berths
arranged in double tiers, as well as with sofas or couches, washing conveniences,
and waterclosets. These carriages are so arranged, that whilst they are com-
plete sleeping carriages, they are capable of conveying such a number of
passengers within the limits of the existing carriages as will enable railway
companies to work them with little, if any, additional charge. In arranging
a sleeping carriage according to this improved system, a double or other tier of
berths is arranged along the sides of the carriage, leaving a passage down
between the two lines, or along the centre, leaving a passage on each side; or
berths may be placed across the carriage, or transversely as regards its length,
The berths may either be arranged wholly as side, central, or transverse berths,

page_text: or they may be arranged in composite fashion, so as to comprehend either any
two or the three plans in one carriage. The number of tiers of berths is
limited by the height of the carriage, and the number of berths by the length
and breadth of the carriage. Many variations of the general system may bé
made.
In one plan the carriage is thrown into a single open saloon, with opposito
doors in the sides near each end; these doors open directly into a transverse
passage, on one side of which, and forming the end portion of the carriage, are
arranged distinct washing conveniences and closets for ladies and gentlemen,
whilst on the other side of this passage, and in the centre of its length, is a
door leading into the sleeping saloon. This saloon contains two tiers of berths
on each side, with a side window to each, and corresponding lamps, and three
berths in length, thus affording sleeping accommodation for twelve persons.
Provision is made for a warming stove at the extreme end of the saloon.
With a slight lengthening of the carriage it may be divided into two saloons,
one for ladies and the other for gentlemen, each having separate conveniences.
By using very long carriages, which is proposed to be effected by fitting a bogic
or swivelling truck at each end, to enable the carriages to pass round curves, a
very greatly increased number of sleeping berths can be got into one carriage.
In such a case a central stove would warm both saloons, which would each
have washing conveniences and closets, with entrance passages at the outer
ends. These sleeping carriages are ventilated by means of moveable roof
ventilators with curved hoods, such as are used on board steamers, having vanes
to keep their opening sides constantly turned from the direction of motion of
the train. When the train is in motion, that motion causes the vitiated air to
be sucked or drawn out from the interior of the carriages through the hoods,
whilst provision being made for suitable entrance ventilators in the sides or
ends of the carriage for the admission of fresh air, the carriage is kept well
ventilated.
To adapt these sleeping carriages for passengers to sit in them, in place of
having moveable stools, which would be in the way, adjustable folding seats
may be fitted up on the front sides of each berth in the lower tiers, so that
whilst they will not be in the way when folded down, they will afford very
convenient seats when set up.