CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Smith, of No. 10, Salisbury Street, Adelphi,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY
ROLLING STOCK."-A communication from J. B. Humphreys, C.E., of Rio
de Janeiro.
Scaled the 16th June 1857, and dated the 22nd December 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
December 1856.
I, WILLIAM SMITH, of 10, Salisbury St., Adelphi, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY
ROLLING STOCK," a communication from J. B. Humphreys, of Rio de Janeiro,
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the novel construction or arrangement of parts of
railway trains intended for conveying goods and passengers up, steep,,,
gradients or heavy inclines, when the present 'system of traction by loco-
motive engine power is difficult and expensive, or entirely impossible.,
Instead of employing one or more locomotive engines of great power and,
weight for the purpose of drawing up or hauling the wagons or carriages
composing the train, by the present Invention a series of trucks are each fitted
[Price 8d.1

page_text: with steam engine cylinders, by the action of the steam in which motion is
communicated to the wheels of such trucks or carriages, and the steam
necessary for communicating the power may be conveyed from the boiler of
the locomotive traction engine in the front of the train by means of suitable
steam pipes, or a seperate boiler or boilers mounted upon suitable trucks,
disposed in convenient positions throughout the length of the train, and
according with or suitable to the number of steam trucks composing such
train.
The wheels of these steam trucks may be fitted upon crank axles as ordi-
narily constructed, and driven by suitable mechanical means according to the
required speed, as also of the position of the small steam.cylinders; or the
wheels may be fitted seperately upon, short .crauk shafts, axles, or studs,
sufficiently long to allow of a bearing on each side of the wheel, in which case
motion from the piston rod would have to be communicated to the half crank
or stud of each wheel seperately, either outside or inside of the truck frame,or
both on the outside and inside thereof, as two or four steam cylinders may be
applied, and the propelling arrangements may be secured or fixed within a
frame connected with each pair of wheels or one pair of wheels, composing
the truck; and such propelling arrangement may be connected with the truck
by means of a vertical centre pin or stud over each pair of wheels, forming
a boggie arrangement, similar to the system of building and working rail-
way carriages and trucks as practised in America..
Where the fore leading driving wheels in each truck aro worked by the
steam-propelling arrangement as herein described, and the other wheels are
connected with and worked therefrom, the connecting rods are provided with
suitably formed brasses or eyes, to permit of oscillation or motion between the
boggies upon which the goods platform, truck, or passenger entrance is laid or
mounted, and as a provision for enabling a series of such trucks composing a
train to traverse with facility curves of a small radius, and to further aid in
certain cases the more easy working of heavy goods traffic upon lines of
railway consisting of many curves and gradients, self-acting or regulating
bars may be carried along the sides of the trucks, by which the quantity of
steam admitted to the cylinders of the several trucks may be increased or
diminished thus proportionately to the curve traversed, increasing or
decreasing the number of revolutions of the wheels on either side of the
truck independantly the one of the other.
Upon descending a steep gradient, the arrangement just described for
propelling the several trucks composing a train can be used instead of the
ordinary brake for checking the motion; or by reversing the direction of

page_text: the rotation of the wheels, or causing them to revolve or rotate at a slower
velocity than that which would be due to the descent of the train, perfect
control may be attained over the entire weight in motion.
To provide against accident, and for the purpose of controling one or
more of the steam trucks, there may be an addition to the means of shutting
off the steam from the entire train, also an arrangement of rods, or their
equivalents, by which the steam from one or more of such trucks may bo
shut off.
In constructing the boiler of the locomotive engine, or the seperate boiler
for working the several steam trucks, provision should be made for preventing
injury to the tubes, arising from the water contained in the boiler being
thrown back or into the hinder part of the boiler when the engine is ascending
steep gradients; and in the ordinary description of locomotive tubular boilers
the tubes should be fixed at an angle corresponding with the maximum incli-
nation of the road, so that whilst ascending the incline, the ends of the tubes
cannot become bared or exposed to the action of the fire, as they are con-
stantly surrounded with a sufficient body of water to prevent injury; or the
boiler may in certain cases, when found desirable, be suspended in a suitable
frame, so that notwithstanding the gradient or angle of inclination up which
it is travelling, it is constantly horizontal, and the water therein level, and
if necessary the boiler and the engine may be thus arranged.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd June 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SMITH, of No. 10, Salisbury Street, Adelphi, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Smith, Her special licence that I, the said William Smith, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Smith, 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

page_text: vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY
ROLLING STOCK," a communication from J. B. Humphreys, C.E., of Rio de
Janerio, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Smith,
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 performed, 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 Smith, 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 and the accompanying Drawing:-
This Invention relates to the novel construction or arrangement of parts
of railway trains intended for conveying goods and passengers up steep
gradients or heavy inclines, where the present system of traction by
locomotive engine power is difficult and expensive, or entirely impossible.
Instead of employing one or more locomotive engines of great power and
weight for the purpose of drawing up or hauling the wagons or carriages com-
posing the train, by the present Invention a series of trucks are each fitted
with steam engine cylinders, by the action of the steam in which motion is
communicated to the wheels of such trucks or carriages, and the steam
necessary for communicating the power may be conveyed from the boiler
of a locomotive traction engine in the front of the train and to the trucks
composing the train by means of suitable steam pipes, or a seperate boiler
or boilers, mounted upon suitable trucks, disposed in convenient positions
throughout the length of the train, and according with or suitable to the
number of steam trucks composing such train.
The wheels of these steam trucks may be fixed upon crank axles as ordi-
narily constructed, and driven by suitable mechanical means according to the
required speed, as also of the position of the small steam cylinders; or the
wheels may be fitted seperately upon short crank shafts, axles, or studs, suffi-
ciently long to allow of a bearing on each side of the wheel, in which case
motion from the piston rod would have to be communicated to the half crank
or stud of each wheel seperately, either outside or inside of the truck frame,
or both on the outside and inside thereof, as two or four steam cylinders may
be applied, and the propelling arrangements may be secured or fixed within a
frame connected with each pair of wheels, or one pair of wheels composing
the truck, and such propelling arrangement may be connected with the truck

page_text: by means of a vertical centre pin or stud over each pair of wheels, forming a
bogie arrangement, similar to the system of building and working railway
carriages or trucks as practised in the United States of America.
Where the hind or driving wheels in each truck are worked by the steam-
propelling arrangement, as herein described, and the other wheels are con-
nected with and worked therefrom, the connecting rods are provided with
suitably-formed brasses or eyes, to permit of oscillation or motion between the
bogies upon which the goods platform, truck, or passengers' carriage is laid or
mounted; and as a provision for enabling a series of such trucks composing
a train to traverse with facility curves of a small radius, and to further aid in
certain cases the more easy working of heavy goods traffic upon lines of
railway consisting of many curves and gradients, self-acting or regulating bars
may be carried along the sides of the trucks, by which the quantity of steam
admitted to the cylinders of the several trucks may be increased or diminished
thus proportionately to the curve traversed, increasing or decreasing the
number of revolutions of the wheels on either side of the truck
independantly the one of the other.
Upon descending a steep gradient, the arrangement just described for pro-
pelling the several trucks composing a train can be used instead of the ordinary
brake for checking the motion; or by reversing the direction of the rotation
of the wheels, or causing them to revolve or rotate at a slower velocity
than that which would be due to the descent of the train, perfect controul
may be obtained over the entire weight in motion.
To provide against accident, and for the purpose of controlling one or
more of the steam trucks, there may be in addition to the means of shutting
off the steam from the ontire train also an arrangement of rods, or their
equivalents, by which the steam from one or more of such trucks may be
shut off.
In constructing the boiler of the locomotive engine, or the seperate boiler
for working the several steain trucks, provision should be made for preventing
injury to the tubes, arising from the water contained in the boiler being thrown
back or into the hinder part of the boiler when the engine is ascending steep
gradients, and in the ordinary descriptions of locomotive tubular boilers the
tubes should be fixed at an angle corresponding with the maximum inclination
of the road, so that whilst ascending the incline the ends of the tubes cannot
become bared or exposed to the action of the fire, as they are constantly
surrounded with a sufficient body of water to prevent injury; or the boiler
may in certain cases, when found desirable, be suspended in a suitable frame,
Bo that, notwithstanding the gradient or angle of inclination up which it is

page_text: travelling, it is constantly horizontal, and the water therein. level, and if
necessary the boiler and the engine may be thus arranged.
Each truck is fitted with two or more steam cylinders, and such trucks
are connected by one of the means herein described. By this arrangement
the load is distributed over the surface of the length of the train, thus applying
all the weight insistent ou the rails, for effecting adhesion between the
numerous propelling agents distributed throughout the length of such train,
and thus equalizing and distributing the load, as also the wear and tear upon
the permanent way. The facility of travelling round curves of small radius,
and the safety of such a train of steam trucks, are effected by reason of the
mode of coupling or connecting the trucks, and of operating on the wheels
of the inner and outer line of rails respectively, in proportion to the radius of
the curve around which they have to pass. There are two modes of employing
this system of steam traction, which it is now proposed to refer to.
First, by using short trucks, each with four wheels, having a turn ring,
placed on a bridge over the transverse centre of each pair of fore and hind
wheels, each pair of hind wheels being impelled by steam cylinders. Upon
the hind turning ring of the first truck and fore turn ring of the second truck
a platform of convenient width is fitted, and secured by the vertical stud or
turnpin of each, so that the trucks are thus firmly connected together, whilsta
vertebra-like action is effected; each portion of the train thus havi.ig its own
propelling power under regulation no unnecessary thrust or straining of the
rolling stock is produced, and buffing apparatus, draw bars and links; and the
springs and fittings therefore may be entirely dispensed with.
Secondly, by constructing the cars or trucks of a shorter length, and giving
each only two wheels, placed near the hinder end thereof, whilst the fore
end rests on the hind end of the preceding car, to which it may be secured
by a common fork joint or jaw, and through pin, or by means of an
universal joint, or similar contrivance; or, what is preferred, being found
the most useful contrivance for the purpose is a spherical joint or connection,
which is herein-after described, and as shewn in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12,
Sheet 1, and Figs. 16, 17, 18, Sheet 2.
For the boiler used to generate steam to supply the several steam trucks,
the supporting frame or truck is carried upon four wheels, when the weight
upon each wheel does not exceed that for which the permanent way has been
calculated; but the fore end of such boiler truck may be supported on a
four-wheel bogie, one pair of the wheels of which bogie may have fitted to
them small steam cylinders, similar to the trucks before described.
Each steam cylinder may be provided with a steam jacket or casing, thro

page_text: which a small escape of steam is permitted, for the purpose of warming the
cylinders previous to starting the train, and the steam jackets and steam pipes
should be covered. with felt, and otherwise protected, for preventing the
radiation of heat.
The feed water should be carried in iron tanks under the passenger
cars and trucks, and may thus be usefully employed in distributing and
regulating the weight and adhesion between the wheels and the rails
throughout the length of. the train. The water may be pumped into the
boiler by a series of donkey pumps, or the tanks may be connected together,
and one pump attached to the boiler may be used for feeding it.
To either of the arrangements of trucks and gear, before described, an
arrangement of gear, self-acting, or by which the whole of the cylinders on
the inner side or inner rail of a curve may be regulated, and the quantity
of steam admitted thereto governed by the engine driver or persons in
charge; thus the steam may be wholly or partially shut off from the wheels
on the inner line, whilst it remains full on in the cylinders, acting upon the
wheels of the outer line, and this may be effected by the bending of the first
part of the vertebra-like train; or the engine driver, by means of a side rod or
through-bar, may act upon the slides and steam cocks of the various cylinders.
The general regulation of the admission of steam may be effected by
means of the usual regulator attached to the boiler.
The steam may be conveyed by one main steam pipe, with a small branch
pipe connecting it with each steam cylinder, suitable joints being introduced
in such main steam pipe.at the junction of each truck or carriage composing
the train, and by this means. alterations in length and in the vertical and
horizontal lines are permitted, whilst such joints remain perfectly steam-
tight. The form of such a joints and the connection proposed for effecting
this purpose are shewn in Figs. 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, Sheet 2.
In trains, composed of a series of trucks, carriages. or cars constructed
according to this. Invention, the adhesion due to the weight insistent on the
rails, is usefully employed, and enables goods, merchandize, and passengers
to be safely, conveyed or carried up gradients of one vertical on 8 base
and round curves of one chain radius, and safely and economically carried
upon, a permanent way of inexpensive construction.
The following description of the details of the several parts of the
Invention generally herein-before described is as follows:-
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, exhibits a form of locomotive boiler, mounted upon six-
wheels, by way. of illustrating the novel feature contained therein, which
consists of placing the tibes at an inclination with the barrel of the boiler,

page_text: so that in ascending inclines the ends of the tubes at the smoke box end cannot
become uncovered, and injuriously subjected to the direct action of the flame.
In this Figure a boiler is shewn of the ordinary form and proportions, but it
is not intended to convey thereby any other variation or improvement than
the mode of fixing the tubes. Fig. 2 exhibits a transverse section; Fig. 3,
sectional elevation; and Fig. 4 a plan of a boiler, designed for the purpose
of supplying steam to the cylinders of the various steam trucks. This boiler
is mounted upon four wheels, which may have axle brasses externally double.
coned, for assisting in the passage round curves, or the fore part of the boiler
truck may be mounted upon a four-wheel bogio frame. The construction
of this boiler is unusually strong, and intended to be capable of working
safely under a steam pressure of 300 lbs. on the square inch, so that the
economy due to the working pressure of 8 to 12 atmospheres on the square
inch as a working pressure in the steam cylinder may be insured. The
arrangement of stays shewn in Figs. 2, 3, 4 is intended to enable a boiler of
large capacity to be used within the limits of width to which it is desirable
to extend it, as the sides of such a boiler may be flat, the whole of the body of
the boiler being put together with bolts and nuts; or the fire box may be
rivetted, and the vertical and horizontal stays may be secured by nuts, the
body of the boiler with the shell removed being shewn in the Figures described.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of two-wheel trucks, having each four small steam
cylinders applied thereto, for the purpose of proplling the train composed of
such trucks, cars, or passenger waggons. In this Figure the outside cylinders
only are seen, whilst in Figs. 7 & 8 the four cylinders are seen in plan.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section of one of the trucks or cars shewn in Fig. 5, and
exhibitseach wheel mounted independantly in the iron frame or under carriage,
each wheel having two half cranks set at right angles upon the same short axle.
It also exhibits an arrangement for counecting the fore end of the one truck
with the hind end of the next; and this tubular stay with its spherical joint
or connection may also be used for enclosing the branch or steam supply pipe,
by which the small cylinders may be supplied with steam from the boiler.
Fig. 7 is a plan of part of Fig. 5, with the top frame removed, and exhibits
the four cylinders, and two wheels mounted on short axles, having a half crank
at each end, which by means of connecting rods are worked by the pistons of
the small cylinders. The construction of the sheet-iron under carriage or
side framing is also exhibited, and the mode of connecting and supporting the
otherwise unsupported end of the two-wheel truck is shewn therein. Fig. 8
is a sectional plan of the iron side framing of the under carriage, and exhibits
a section of the hollow wrought-iron cross stay, and connecting piece, upon

page_text: which the spherical joint is fixed, for the purpose of effecting the connection
between the several trucks composing the train.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of the upper side of trucks shewn in Fig. 5. Figs. 10,
11, 12 are enlarged views, shewing in detail the spherical joint and connection
by which flexible junction is effected between the trucks, cars, or carriages
composing the train; Fig. 10 being a side view of the spherical joint and
surrounding segmental brass clip; Fig. 11 being a front view of Fig. 10, and
Fig. 12 a plan. The upper portion of the clip is secured by radiating arms
or webs of plate iron, projecting from the end of or forming a continuation
of the frame or under carriage of the truck, the lower portion of the clip
being moveable, and secured by bolts passing vertically through the lugs
thereof. The spherical joint which the clip surrounds is forged upon, shrunk
on, or is otherwise made to form part of the hollow cross piece, seen in
Fig. 7, and in section Figs. G & S, in Sheet 1, wherein it is shewn as formed
of a forged plate-iron cylinder, with coned and flanched ends, and stayed
with angular iron stays.
No letters of reference have been used in the several Figures in Sheet 1
of the accompanying Drawings, as tho several parts are distinctly shewn,
and will be readily understood without such aid.
In Sheet 2, Figs. 13, 14, & 15 exhibit views of steam trucks constructed
according to this Invention. Figs. 16 to 25 inclusive oxhibit details of
various parts of this Invention.
Fig. 13 is a side elevation of two trucks, the one being supported on
two wheels, and propelled by four small steam cylinders fixed horizontally
inside and outside of each side frame, and the other a four-wheel boiler
truck, having four cylinders placed at an angle instead of working hori.
zontally, as in the two-wheel truck just described. This Fig. and Figs. 14
& 15 are drawn in scale of half an inch to a foot.
Fig. 14 is a plan of the two trucks shewn in Fig. 13, with the platforms,
&c. removed, and exhibits the arrangement of the frames, cylinders, and
other parts. In the plan of the two-wheel truck three compartments are
shewn in the forc end; the two outer compartment are intended for water
tanks, to supply the feed water necessary for the boiler; the center division
has its ends pierced, to permit of the steam pipe or pipes passing through it.
The mode of connecting fore end of the two-wheel trucks to the hinder end
of that preceding is shewn, as before described, by means of a sheet-iron
tubular stay, extending within and from side to sido of the longitudinal
frames, or under carriages, and rivetted thereto.
Fig. 15 is a transverse section of the frames and the other parts of a truck

page_text: taken across the tubular iron stay, and exhibits the mode of connecting the
trucks together and supplying steam to the various cylinders, towhichlatterpart
of the arrangement Figs. 16,17, &c. relate. With reference to the Figs. 16,17,
18,19,& 20, relating to the supply of steam to the various cylinders, it must
be observed, the main steam pipe should be large enough at its commence-
ment for ample supply of all the small cylinders after giving off the steam to
the 4 cylinders belonging to the boiler carriage; its diameter is proportion-
ately reduced, and the pipe carried as directly as circumstances permit along
the center line of the carriages, and if the train were always torunon astraight
line nothing farther would be required than sinall pipes in succession togiveoff
steam to the respective cylinders of each carriage. The diameter of the main
being proportionately reduced, on passing from one carriage to the other
proper means are taken to admit of expansion and contraction of the pipes by
variation of temperature; but the train has to pass curves, and whensopassing,
the center lines of the carriages, instead of preserving a straight line with each
other, form an angle at the point where the carriages are joined, i.e., in the
center of the spherical coupling joint. Advantage is taken of this cir-
cumstance to make the carriages themselves regulate the flowof steam in the
manner required. A cock or a slide or other regulator is so placed that the
axis of its plug shall accord with or correspond to the center of the coupling
joint of the carriages, the main steam passage being through the plugs; the
plug is fixed to one of the carriages, and the shell to the next one. Now,
it is obvious, that according as the angle which the center lines of these
two carriages form varies, so will the plug of the cock move within 'the
shell, and if openings thro' the plug and shell be suitably made thro' which
the steam passes off right and left to the respective cylinders, it becomes
obvious how the supply is gradually reduced, even to entire cutting off on
one side when passing very quick curves, while it is continued undiminished
to the other side. See section of cock, Fig. 25.
The arrangement of steam pipes belonging to the cock, and shewn in Fig. 23,
appears somewhat tortuous, by reason of the necessity of sundry turning joints
in the pipe to admit the necessary motion while passing a curve, wherefor the
arrangement shewn in Fig. 16, 17, &c., where a spherical plug is placed con-
centrically within the spherical joint, by which the carriages are joined to each
other. By this means the main passage for the steam remains at all times
extremely direct, and the main steam pipe without any convolutions, only
provided with glands where necessary to admit of expansionandcontractionby
variation of temperature, and as a holdfast for the nut of the union, that such
may not work loose with the motion of the carriage. The screw is not put in

page_text: its place until the nut has been set nearly up by, hand, to facilitate which
operation the nut has two milled beads running round it, see m, m, in Fig 19,
and it is farther furnished with a spanner that will grasp a few threads of the
screw teeth, or fits, a few larger notches in the beads. If more extended
service be required of the tangent screw a latteral movement is provided
either by a separate ring on which the thread for the screw is ratched, and
which ring is fitted to slide on a feather on the nut; or the carriers for the
tangent screw are made to slide laterally, or the ratch for the screw may be
parallel instead of being a segment of a circle, and be carried across the
whole thickness of the nut, like the teeth of a spur wheel, only bevilled
instead of square with the side.
Thus, Figs. 16, 17, 18, 19, & 20 relate to the method in part just described,
and by which means it is preferred to give.steam to the small cylinders of the
trucks; and it will be seen, that by taking advantage of the hollow form of the
tubular transverse stay, and spherical connecting joint extending between the
side frames of truck, as seen in enlarged sectional views, Figs. 16 & 17, to
inclose the steam pipes and joints, thus perfect protection is afforded to the
concentric spherical steam cock, by which the passage of steam is regulated
between the main steam pipe and the cylinders, whilst it may, by disconnecting
the clip by which junction between the trucks or carriages is effected, be
readily got at for examination or repairs.
Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional view of the hollow metal cross stay, with a
spherical enlargement in the centre thereof, for the purpose of enabling a
junction to be effected between it and the next following carriage, frame, or
truck by means of a metal clip in two parts, which is made to surround the
said spherical enlargement, and thereby in effect form at the same time a
traction bar and universal joint. In this view the hollow stay is shewn as
cast in one piece, either of gun metal or in any other suitably strong metal, but
it may be formed of plate iron and rivetted together. The steam pipe, which
is shown as entering on the fore side of the spherical joint, is terminated by a
spherical metal joint, shewn to an enlarged scale at Fig. 19, which exhibits a
longitudinal section of the spherical joint of the steam supply pipe, and the
internal portion of the spherical joint being connected with the continuation
of the steam pipe passes out of the after end of the spherical enlargement
upon the tubular stay, whilst the branch service pipes for supplying steam to
the small cylinders are screwed to openings in the spherical steam joint right
and left of the main supply pipe, as shown in this Figure, and to an enlarged
scale in the plan view, Fig. 2v.
Fig. 17 is a vertical section of Fig. 16, and shews the branch service pipes

page_text: passing right and left to the small cylinders. There is also a small opening n
made in the spherical joint for the purpose of enabling a socket wrench to be
applied to the end of the tangent screw 7. In this Figure there is also shewn
a recess or flattened part in the conical ends of the tubular stay; this is for the
purpose of permitting the inner cranks to pass under and clear of the stay
when it is placed immediately over the centres of the wheels of the truck
and Fig. 18 is transverse section on the line C, D, of Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of this part of Fig. 16,
which relates to the spherical joint of main steam pipe. The opening there-
from for the branch service pipe is shewn at p, but such opening need not
necessarily be round. The milled ring m, m, which surrounds the joint, and
by which the two parts of the inner joint are held together, being screwed on
its inner side, act as a nut upon the screwed edge of the flauch of the one part
of the joint, whilst the space between the two flanches may have vulcanized
india-rubber or other packing inserted therein, and thus by screwing up of
the ring m,m, a perfectly steam-tight joint will be issued, and an adjustment
for wear may be obtained by the insertion of a suitable tangent screw through
the opening, shewn at n, in Fig. 17, or by a permanent tangent screw sup-
ported in suitable carriages, and operated on by a long socket wrench
inserted through the before-mentioned opening n.
2
Fig. 20 in a plan view on a still larger scale, exhibiting a section of the
spherical steam joint, which is preferred, as a means of admitting steam to the
cylinders instead of the arrangement shewn in Figs. 10, 11, & 12 of Sheet 1,
and in Figs. 15, 22, 23, 24 & 25 of Sheet 2, which last referred to plan of
admitting steam, although perfectly available in many cases, is more tortuous
in the disposition of its passage ways, and open to objection in that respect.
In Fig. 20 the direction of the steam is shewn by the arrows, the two smaller
pipes being the supply pipes to the small steam cylinders; the opening in
the inner part of the spherical joint being suitably shaped and disposed as to
permit of the regulation of the admission of steam in the manner before
described, according to the deflection of the train, by which the inner shell or
part of the joint is moved to the right or to the left by the motion of the
carriages in passing curves, and thus reduces the area of the passage way on
the inner side of the curve, whilst the arca of the passage way on the outer
side is unaffected.
In Fig. 13, the boiler truck, which has before been described,as intended to
be ordinarily supported on four wheels, or the fore part on a four-wheel bogie,
whilst the hind part of the frame is supported on two wheels, is shewn with a
third pair of wheels in dotted lines, and without flanches, in which case should

page_text: it be found desirable to use six wheels, the studs or pins of the half cranks upon
which the connecting rod end from each of the steam cylinders works must be
extended or elongated to allow of the necessary side connecting bars working
thereon.
In Fig. 15 the transverse hollow stay is shewn as fitted with the hangers
for supporting the steam pipe and cock with branch pipes, similar to the plan
just referred to, and shewn in Figs. 22, 23, 24, & 25, instead of being a
tubular metal stay with a spherical connecting joint inclosing a concentric
spherical cock, in manner shewn in Figs. 16, 17, &c.
Fig. 21 exhibits two views braced together of a construction of railway
trucks or car wheel, which might be economically constructed and advan-
tageously employed for the purposes of the present Invention, and it is only
introduced in the Specification of this Invention with that view, and not as a
substantive Invention or improvement relating to the manufacture of wheels
for railway purposes generally. The felloe or ring is cast in a chill mould,
and by preference for the purposes of this Invention of the section shewn,
Within the tyre ring or felloe is a rib, which being turned receives the inner
faces of the two dished plate-iron checks, side rings, or side discs. The centre
boss, hub, or nave is of cast iron, and has a centre rib around it, upon which
the inner edges of the two dished plate-iron checks, side rings, or side discs
are rivetted. These plate-iron cheeks, side rings, or side discs are cut out of
plate iron, and may be dished or stainped up in suitable dies, and after being
drilled around the outer and inner edges with holes to correspond with similar
rivet holes in the inner flanches of the tyre rings and the nave, the rivets
should be inserted, and driven up by the direct pressure of a steam riveting
machine or other suitable means; the wheel when complete being as repre-
sented in the half view of side elevation, Fig. 21.
On reference to Sheet 1, Fig. 26 exhibits a longitudinal section of a boiler,
which is a modification of that exhibited at Figs. 2, 3, & 4, from which it
differs in consequence of the tubes being much smaller in diameter, as also
much shorter, as the efficiency of a tube is greatly influenced by the relation of
its length to its diameter. The space in the boiler left unoccupied by tubes is
advantageously added to the flame or combustion chamber, and causes the
steam to rise much sooner than it would after first lighting the fire than it
would if the tubes were of the same length, as in boiter, Fig. 2, 3, & 4; but
both boilers have the advantage of a large space for water and steam, which is
indispensable when passing very steep gradients, also that the steam has a better
chance to be taken dry. A novel mode of supporting the fire bars is also
shewn in Figs. 2, 3 aud 26. Fire bars are commonly fitted with their square

page_text: ends upon flat resting bars, and with ample space for expansion by heat, and
the slag or clinker thus become jambed between the square ends of the bars
and their seating. It will, however, be seen that the seating of the fire bars in
these boilers obviates the mischief, as the bevilled ends of the bars rest upon
the angle iron, as shewn.
Having described the several Figures shewn upon the Sheets 1 & 2, the
construction of the trucks, cars, or under carriages, and other parts of this
Invention, next demands attention.
The undercarriages or frames of trucks or cars, shewn in Figs. 5, 6, 7,8, &c.,
Sheet 1, and Figs. 13, 14, & 15, Sheet 2, although shewn as made of plate
iron, may either be constructed of timber or of wood and iron combined, but
wrought-iron plates and angle iron for the frames are preferred, the two side
frames being formed in the manner of wrought-iron box boams, the two side
plates being stiffened by angle irons and divided in length into compartments;
and the two beams or side frames may be secured together by transverse webs
or plates, in manner shewn, or they may be braced together diagonally or
otherwise; and in the short two-wheel trucks the fore part of the carriage
may be divided into compartments, for the purpose of giving strength, as well
as for containing the steam pipes, pumps, or other apparatus; or one or more
of such compartments may be used for containing water for feeding the boiler
and for other purposes; or they may when convenient be used for containing
fluid or other goods for transport, or luggage, or parcels, and the two plates
which are revitted to the front of the two-wheel truck, and converge there from
toward the spherical joint upon the tubular cross stay and traction bar at the
hinder end of the preceding truck are sufficiently deep, strengthened with
angle iron, and stayed or braced, to insure sufficient strength for carrying the
weight superimposed; each of the two cellular side beams has its wheel fixed
upon a short axle, which works in bearing blocks secured or rivetted to or
into the side plates thereof. and the weight of the under carriage or truck, as
also the superimposed carriage body, passengers, or goods, and without the
intervention of any bearing springs between such axle or axle box and the
truck frame or under carriage, although strips of felt or vulcanized india-
rubber may be inserted for the purpose of deadening the jar or blow which
would be produced by contact between the two metal surfaces; as by dispensing
with the springs, the true line of the centres of the cylinders and the axles
and cranks is preserved, and undue straining of the piston rod and connecting
bar of each cylinder is thereby avoided, and slack fitting of the brasses on the
crank pins and elsewhere, with its attendant evils, is rendered unnecessary.
The passengers' carriage bodies, luggage vans, &c. may be supported upon

page_text: vulcanized india-rubber springs, suitably disposed over the surface of the
truck frame or under carriage; or these springs may be contained within the
two side beam-like frames composing the truck. The transverse tubular stay,
by which the hinder end of the trucks are, as before described, connected
together, and upon which the spherical joint is formed, from which or upon
which the clips or straps which are connected to the apex of the two taper
and converging plates projecting from the fore end of the following truck or
carriage, is rivetted to the inside of the two box beam-like side frames by
means of flanches, and is further secured by means of angular stays from the
extreme ends of each side frame, in the manner shewn in Fig. 14.
Such a system of trucks, constructed in the manner described, and joined
together or connected up in the vertebra-like manner shewn, will enable
curves of small radius and grades of various degrees to be travelled over at
high speed with safety and easy motion without derangement or destructive
action to the rolling stock. For very quick curves, say, of only one chain
radius, the length of each carriage or truck may be about 8 feet; for a
curve of 2 chains radius, 12 feet and 4 chains, 18 feet in length; for
passenger carriages with two wheels, and having a leugth of about 18 feet
where the curves admit thereof, will be found the most economical, as there
is no need of buffing apparatus nor draw bars or drag links, and the attendant
gearsprings, &c., nor is there any necessity for the usual breaks and apparatus,
as will immediately hereafter be explained.
For the purpose of regulating the admission of the steam to the several
cylinders, a throttle valve or steam cock, or both, inay be applied' to the steum
pipe close to the boiler, and in passing round curves the steam may be shut off
from the cylinders on the inner side of the curve; but a means of regulating
the descent of a train of such steam trucks down declivities, by which the
ordinary break gear is rendered unnecessary, and the steam cylinders is made
to perform the duty thereof in the following manuer, viz., by adding a regu
lator to the eduction pipe of each cylinder, which confers the power of checking
the exit of the steam to any degree required, and thereby checking the
velocity of the pistons, thence that of the cranks and of the wheels. These
eduction regulators are connected together, and are under the controul of the
person in charge of the train, and by an arrangement for opening a connection
between the steam pipe and cylinders and the air, the connection with the
steam boiler being closed, the steam cylinders may be thus converted into
pumps, and by closing the eduction regulator the air will be compressed to an
extent, and thus operate in retarding the motion of the train. The dimensions
of the small steam cylinders applied to the trucks as before described may

page_text: vary, but it is preferred to apply four cylinders, cach from 3 to 5 inch diameter
and 9 to 12 stroke, and these cylinders should be jacketed for to admit of
the passage of steam, and the steam so used when condensed should be
collected in the feed water tanks to be pumped into the boiler. The various
connecting rods, eccentric valve gear, and the various other parts of a steam
engine necessary for communicating motion & transmitting power are omitted
in the several Drawings, because there is nothing novel pertaining to their
application in this Invention, and it is well known that they are necessary
to operating each piston within its cylinder for the purpose of producing
a reciprocating motion, which is by the aid of the cranks converted into a
circular motion, by which the truck wheels are caused to rotate and travel
along the rails.
The position of the tubular cross stay with its spherical joint in relation
with the centres of the wheels of the two-wheel trucks herein described is
not confined precisely to that shewn in the several Figures in the accompany-
ing Drawing, as instead of being immediately above, or plumb therewith, it
may be placed behind the axial line of the wheels.
Having now described this Invention as communicated to me, I claim, -
First, the novel arrangement and disposition of the several parts of a rail-
way train as horcin described, by which the power of steam generated in a
locomotive boiler is applied in numerous small cylinders, disposed in the
manner described, upon or attached to the several trucks or carriages com-
posing such train, and operating upon the independantly or individually
mounted wheels of each truck, to which motion is thereby given under suitable
regulation as described, and in proportion to the insistent load, to the vertical
angle of the road upon which the load is being carried, and to the curve
around which the train is travelling.
Secondly, the method of constructing truck frames and under carriages,
in the manner and for the purpose herein described.
Thirdly, the method of connecting the several trucks composing the train
as herein described, by which a vertebra-like connection and action is effected,
and whereby buffing apparatus, draw rods, links, and coupling chains are
rendered unnecessary.
Fourthly, the method and means herein described, by which and through
which the power of ascending very steep inclines by adhesion alone is
effected.
Fifthly, the method of governing or controuling the descent of a truck or
several trucks or carriages composing a train down a declivity by closing
the eduction passages, as herein described.

page_text: Sixthly, the means and method herein described for safely and economic-
ally facilitating the passage of a train of steam trucks or carriages round
curves of very short radii, by cutting off the steam to any required extent
from the wheels on the inner rail, whilst the wheels on the outer rail have
the full effective power of the steam, as herein described.
Seventhly, the construction of boilers as herein described when used for
the purpose of generating steam for independantly or individually propelled
trucks or carriages according to this Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
JAMES E. HALL,
10, Salisbury St., Adelphi.
WILLIAM SMITH. (L.S.)