AN ENTIRE NEW SYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTING PERMANENT WAY WITH IMPROVED METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING AND WORKING ROLLING STOCK IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Year: 1870

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Beatty Lockyer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th December 1870.
I, EDMUND BEATTY LOCKYER, of Northern Offices, 75, Princes Street,
Edinburgh, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "AN ENTIRE NEW SYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTING PERMANENT WAY WITH
IMPROVED METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING AND WORKING ROLLING STOCK IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
-
My improvements consist of three continuous lines of stone or metal
sleepers with a substantial convex rail seated upon the two outer sleepers
and resting on an iron extension of a rib which is placed at requisite
distances along the line, and receives the said convex rail in a concavity
forming part of the rib. The rib thus commenced from each rail falls
towards the centre and is seated on the middle or third row of sleepers.
The ribs thus attached to each sleeper and forming a complete cradle by
observing a proper fall receives and neutralizes a very great portion of
the weight carried on a line constructed on this principle and at the
same time relieving entirely the concussion caused by stone or metal
sleepers. The arch and keystone principle observed is the happy medium

page_text: for this necessity to enable us to render perfect our railway system.
The wheels are proportionately concave to fit in the easiest way the
convex rail for consuming through the rib the greatest portion of tonnage
and conveying the remainder relieved of concussion to the centre of
embankment.
It will be seen that on a line constructed on the foregoing "Lockyer"
principle, were it possible to run trains at the speed of five hundred miles
an hour it would be safer than running five miles on the present
system.
It will be further seen that by "Lockyer's" plan it is impossible for a
train to run off the line as the train in running at whatever speed binds
the line together as it goes.
•
It will be observed that such a line as above described will seldom
need repair, and cannot be exceeded for durability or general safety as
the absence of concussion prevents the usual wear and tear.
A single example may be given of the sad imperfection of the present
imbecile system in the danger of trains running off the line at curves,
and the serious evil of forcing the rail out.
And further I claim to give two examples which I consider of the
greatest importance in rendering still more complete my Invention.
The first consists in having upper buffers as well as under, and the
advantages of these over the present system are too great to need com-
ment, and the applicant under any circumstances reserves the right to
its adoption whether it be for his own or any other line of railway.
The second being the rigid observance of the laws of convexity
and concavity in the construction of the rolling stock, the general
observance of the solution of this problem will entirely prevent the
destruction which now ensues in case of collision and otherwise. This
rule of convexity and concavity applied to carriages and the stock
generally is rendered perfect. The buffers being constructed and worked
on the same principle.
The value of this Invention is enhanced by the ease and simplicity
with which it may be worked, and much more too voluminous to enter
into within such limited space is overcome in the Invention herein
submitted in the confident belief that it is for the public good and will
lead to the general prosperity of the country.

page_text: My Invention can be carried out with wood and other material for
sleepers though not with the durability and profit of stone and metal. I
claim my right to the principle generally. Iron and stone cannot be used
for sleepers on account of concussion without my valuable discovery
herein set forth.