IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS." A communication from abroad by
Achille Legrand, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 30th July 1878, and dated the 12th February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th February 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS." [A com-
munication from abroad by Achille Legrand, of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to the permanent way of railways, and consists in
improvements in the construction of the sleepers, and in the method of fixing the
rails thereon.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood, I will describe it
with reference to the accompanying Sheets of Drawings, which illustrate the
various methods for carrying the Invention into practice.
Figures 1, 1, 2, and 3 represent an improved system of permanent way, of which
the following are the essential features:-
1st. The longitudinal sleepers or rail bearers are constructed of two metal plates
inclined towards one another, and fixed in inclined slots made in the rib or ribs of
the transverse sleeper, which is also of metal and of a suitable section; the said slots
being of such a width as to allow only just the necessary room for the introduction
of the said plates, which are inserted by gradually inclining them outwards at the
base, as shown in Figure 2, which represents them just before they assume their
final position, shown in Figure 1.
2nd. The rail is formed with a web of dovetail form, and is placed on the bearers
or longitudinal sleepers when they are in the position shown in Figure 2, and is
fixed by its own weight, the several parts falling naturally into their proper

page_text: positions, and the two plates or longitudinal half sleepers or bearers forming jaws,
which grip the dovetailed web of the rail and imprison it between them. The rail
may be of iron or steel, and instead of a dovetailed web the sides may be almost or
quite parallel and have a slight enlargement or head at the lower edge of square or
rounded form, as shown in Figure 4, the form of the inner sides of the jaws or plates
being modified accordingly.
a, a, in Figures 1 and 2 are shoulders on which the web of the rail rests, but these
may be dispensed with, as in Figure 4. The rail being rolled, I may in any case
provide the necessary amount of play to enable the web to fit easily between the
jaws or half sleepers. The rails being liable to "creep" especially on inclines, I
prevent this by a transverse pin or key b fixed in a notch in the web of the rail,
and its laterally projecting ends received in corresponding notches formed in the
jaws or half sleepers. Or. instead of a cross pin I may provide a tenon c, Figure 1ª,
projecting downward from the web of the rail, and received in notches in the
shoulders of the half sleepers, the upper half of the tenon c fitting in a notch in
the rail web, and being made of greater width than the lower half so as to rest upon
the shoulders of the half sleepers.
The rail and sleeper may also be traversed through and through by a cross pin
rivetted at its two extremities, as in Figure 5, or a bolt, which may or may not be
rivetted over the nut. In any case I provide the necessary freedom for expansion
and contraction.
The section of the longitudinal half sleepers or bearers is variable, as well as their
distance apart and degree of inclination, and they may either have feet d, as in
Figure 1, or not, as in Figure 6.
In order to obviate the wear of the jaws or heads of the half sleepers I 'may
harden them by any suitable means.
The longitudinal half sleepers are fitted by iron or steel plates f, Figure 3 (which
is a half section and elevation combined), fitting in enlarged slots on the ribs of the
transverse sleeper, and may or may not be fixed by one or more bolts. When only'
one bolt is employed, the hole through which it passes is half in each of the adjacent
ends of the two plates or half sleepers to be fished.
I may also provide similar plates at the intermediate cross sleepers or the other
supports, such as short lengths of transverse sleeper, which I may employ. The
bolts used with these fish plates are T headed, and introduced from the outside
through slots of corresponding form, and turned a quarter round so as to lie across
the slot; the bolt having also a square shoulder, which after the bolt has been
passed through the slot and turned partly round, as above mentioned, fits in the
slot and prevents the bolt turning whilst being or when secured by its nut.
.
For further security the bolt may be rivetted over the nut. The slot in which
the bolt is received is horizontal, so as to leave sufficient space between the bolt
and the ends of the slot to allow for the expansion and contraction of the sleepers.
A modification, which however does not change the essential features of the
system, consists in placing a bridge rail astride on the two half sleepers, as shown in
Figures 6 and 7. In the former Figure the hollow of the rail is of dovetail form,
and the heads of the half sleepers which are received between them are of such form
as at once to support and hold down the rail, so that it cannot rise or be lifted off
when once the half sleepers have assumed their final positions in the notches of the
transverse sleepers.
In Figure 7 the flanges of the rail are inclined apart, and the rail is secured by
wedge-shaped plates or keys h received in corresponding slots in the cross sleeper;
these plates serving also as fish plates at the joints of the longitudinal sleepers and
of the rails.
The cross sleepers may be of U, T, double T, L, or other section having ribs or
flanges capable of being slotted or notched for fixing the longitudinal sleepers, as
above described. The transverse sleeper shown in Figure 3 is especially applicable
at the joints. It is of H form, of which the upper flanges are the wider, and slightly
inclined apart to facilitate the rolling. The sleeper shown in Figure 15 is also of

page_text: H form; the lower flanges are inclined slightly apart, and are themselves flanged to
form feet. This arrangement of the flanges has for its object to give great elasticity
to the permanent way.
If used for the intermediate supports there would be only
one flange on the upper side of the web or table placed longitudinally in the centre
thereof.
The form shown in Figure 9, suitable for an intermediate support, and generally
all those having but one flange on the upper side to be notched or slotted, are of an
H form with the web extended beyond the flanges at one side, so as to form an
upwardly rising rib A, which is notched or slotted for the reception of the half
sleepers. The flanges of the H portion may be of equal or unequal width.
Figure 10 shows a sleeper of trough-shape section, with a third central longitudinal
rib or flange on the upper side, which is slotted or notched for the reception of the
longitudinal sleepers. The same end is attained by bolting or rivetting near the
two ends of a trough or U shaped sleeper L shaped brackets, as in Figure 11.
Figures 12 and 13 show means of fixing the longitudinal sleepers on U shaped or
flat transverse sleepers. In Figure 12 the half sleepers are retained by an iron
plate having a hook-shaped claw, that passes through a slot in and takes under the
cross sleeper, as shown; a shoulder prevents this plate tilting outwards. In
Figure 13 two obtuse angled irons or brackets are bolted or rivetted to the cross
sleeper, and correspond in their inclination and position to the outer edge of the
slots or notches shown in Figure 1.
Figure 14 shows the longitudinal half sleepers fixed to flat or U shaped transverse
sleepers by bolts passing through the feet of the former. The dovetailed web of the
rail is inserted between the half sleepers before tightening up the bolts; once the
rail in place the nuts are tightened up, and the whole thus secured.
The slots or
notches in the transverse sleepers for the reception of the longitudinal sleepers are
of such form that the outer edge corresponds exactly with the inclination of the
outer surface of the longitudinal sleeper which abuts against it, and the other or
inner edge recedes somewhat from it towards the base, so as to give sufficient width
for the introduction of the longitudinal sleepers. m is a stop at the bottom of the
slot to prevent the longitudinal half sleepers approaching one another at the base.
Between the inner surface of the half sleepers and the inner edges of the slots
there is sufficient space to allow of the elastic action of the longitudinal sleepers.
The slots or notches may however be varied in form, according as the form and
strength of the longitudinal half sleepers are modified. When the latter are
furnished with feet they are notched where the ribs or flanges of the transverse
sleepers come, as at n, Figure 3, the notches being wide enough to allow the longi-
tudinal sleepers to be introduced in their slots, and their feet to come flat on the
table of the transverse sleeper.
Instead of transverse sleepers, short lengths of similar section may be used as
supports for the longitudinal sleepers, these supports being connected by tie bars of
square, round, or other section to preserve the gauge.
In order to incline the rails inwards at the proper angle, the transverse sleepers
may be curved or slightly inclined upwards at the ends, or in arrangements such as
shown in Figure 1; the notches or slots receiving the outer longitudinal half
sleepers are made of slightly less depth than those receiving the inner half sleepers ;
and in order to prevent the outer half sleepers being cut by the portion of the rib
or flange of the transverse sleeper left remaining, I interpose between them a saddle
piece consisting of a flat plate notched on the under side to fit on the portion of the
rib or flange above mentioned, and flat on the upper side for the base of the longi:
tudinal half sleeper to rest upon.
Figures 16 and 16a show the arrangement at the joints of the longitudinal
sleepers when transverse sleepers are used, the joints of the rails being at the middle
of the length of the longitudinal sleepers.
Figures 17 and 17 show an intermediate cross sleeper or tie bar; and Figures 18,
18, 19, and 19a show short lengths of the transverse sleepers used as supports.

page_text: I have in these Figures reproduced some of the elements all ready' referred to in
the detail Figures, although, as before mentioned, the form and arrangement may be
varied according to circumstances.
For curves, the rails and longitudinals may be bent cold and on the spot, and the
space between each pair of slots in the cross sleepers is increased to correspond to
the increased splay of the longitudinal half sleepers. The longitudinal sleepers may
be in one piece instead of two halves, and may either be slid endwise through the
slots of the cross sleeper, as in Figure 5, or the longitudinal sleeper itself may be
slotted to receive a flanged tie bar or cross sleeper slid endwise through the slots in
the longitudinal.
In Figure 15 the rail is of bridge form, and fits on the head of the longitudinal
sleeper. The latter is provided at the shoulders with flanges which embrace the
webs of the rail and grip them the tighter, owing to the springing of the longitu-
dinal sleeper the greater the weight coming on the rail. This longitudinal sleeper
may or may not be provided with feet, and rests by its lower edges on the rib or
flange of the cross sleeper. The rail is secured by a cross pin rivetted at both ends,
or by a bolt, the holes receiving the same being oval to allow the necessary freedom
for expansion and contraction.
Figures 8 and 8a show another method of fixing the rail, having a parallel web
on a longitudinal sleeper in one piece. A transverse dovetail groove is made in the
bottom of the web, in which, before the rail is fixed, is inserted the head of corre-
sponding dovetail form of a bolt which passes through a hole in the sleeper, and is
secured by a nut underneath.
may also secure the same form of rail by set screws passing through the sides of
the upper part or head of the sleeper, and bearing with their points against the web
of the rail, which in this case should be grooved to receive nuts placed on the inside
ends of the bolts, and which serve to retain the rail in place.
"1
Figures 20 and 20% represent an arrangement in which the longitudinal and trans-
verse sleepers are halved" together, one half of the longitudinal sleepers being
received in slots in the transverse sleeper, shown in Figure 21, and the other half of
the latter being received in a notch in the former, shown in Figure 22. The longi-
tudinal is in two pieces, and the transverse sleeper is of a triple T form as shown,
the rail resting on the upper table 1, and attached to the longitudinal by one of the
means above described. The upper end of the notch in the longitudinal rests on
the middle table of the transverse sleeper, and the lower edge of the longitudinal
rests on the bottom table or base of the transverse sleeper, which is rather wider
than the others.
At the joints I may use two transverse sleepers, and pass through slots made in
the webs of the transverse sleepers between the upper and middle tables, and along-
side the webs of the longitudinal half sleepers, ordinary fish plates, which are secured
to the half sleepers by one or more T headed bolts, as before described.
Figures 23, 23ª, and 24 represent a system in which the longitudinals do not rest
upon the cross ties or sleepers, but abut against them. The latter are furnished at
each extremity with a metal sole plate grooved to receive the foot of a Vignoles rail
(see Figure 23), and secured by hold-down bolts, which also serve to secure the rail.
The bolts are T headed, and are placed on the cross sleepers before the rail, in the
position indicated in dotted lines, Figure 23º. The nut being tightened up, and the
bolt rivetted down over the nut, allows of the bolt being turned a quarter round, so
as to bring the head of the bolt on to the foot of the rail. The parts of the sleeper
are thus firmly united, and although the screw may rust and prevent the nut
turning, this is no objection. The sole plate may be in two parts, to admit of rails
of different width of foot being used, or the plate may be dispensed with, and in
that case the T head of the bolt will be recessed at one side to receive the foot of
the rail, the other side resting on the surface of the sleeper.
I may dispense with the nut, and simply rivet down the bolt at the under side
over a washer introduced to enable the rivetted bolt to turn freely. This method

page_text: of fastening may be used with or without longitudinal sleepers. If used, the
longitudinals are grooved on the upper surface to receive the foot of the rail, as in
Figure 24, which is fixed thereon precisely as on the transverse sleeper.
I reserve the right:-1st. To make in wrought, cast, or malleable cast iron, cast or
rolled steel, as may be best suited for the purpose, the various parts of the per-
manent way herein described.
Another arrangement of the system represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, is as follows:-
The transverse sleepers may be divided immediately beneath the centre line of the
longitudinals into three parts united by hinges, so that the extreme ends of the
transverse sleepers may be inclined downwards, and that the longitudinal half
sleepers can be inserted in the notches of the transverse sleeper, after which the
heads or jaws of the half sleepers are brought together to grip the web of the rail
by straightening the parts of the transverse sleeper. The longitudinal in a single
piece, shown in Figure 5, may also be inserted in this way in the tranverse sleeper;
provided that the ribs or flanges of the latter which are retained outside the longi-
tudinal are cut away within the latter sufficiently to allow the latter to be inserted,
and I claim this, whether the ribs or flanges are affixed to the transverse sleeper
or rolled therewith.
2nd. To vary the dimensions, form, and strength of the parts according to circum-
stances.
3rd. To make the necessary allowance in the various parts, both for their adjustment.
and to facilitate rolling, this allowance being variable according to circumstances.
4th. To replace the nuts of the bolts by keys, the bolts themselves by rivets, and
to rivet the bolts over the nuts.
In the system shown in Figures 1 to 3, and all analogous systems, particularly
that shown, Figure 4, I reserve the option of placing the joints of the rails either
midway or at a certain distance from those of the longitudinals, or so as to corre-
spond therewith. In the latter case I fish the rails and longitudinals by cutting out
a rectangle at the lower extremity of the web of each, and placing in this cavity a
rolled iron, whose upper part corresponds to and fills the cavity formed by the
notches made in the web of the rail; the middle portion of this iron is a simple web,
and the lower part of dovetail form fits in a notch of similar form made in each rib
or flange of the cross sleeper directly beneath the web of the rail.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th August 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS." A com-
munication from abroad by Achille Legrand, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to the permanent way of railways, and consists in improve-
ments in the construction of the sleepers, and in the method of fixing the rails
thereon.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood, I will describe it
with reference to the accompanying Drawings, which illustrate the various methods
for carrying the Invention into practice.
Figures 1, 1, 2, and 3 represent an improved system of permanent way, of which
the following are the essential features:-
1st. The longitudinal sleepers or rail bearers are constructed of two metal plates
inclined towards one another, and fixed in inclined slots made in the rib or ribs of
the transverse sleeper, which is also of metal and of a suitable section; the said slots
being of such a width as to allow only just the necessary room for the introduction
of the said plates, which are inserted by gradually inclining them outwards at the
base, as shown in Figure 2, which represents them just before they assume their
final position, shown in Figure 1.
2nd. The rail is formed with a web of dovetail form, and is placed on the bearers
or longitudinal. sleepers when they are in the position shown in Figure 2, and is
fixed by its own weight, the several parts falling naturally into their proper
positions, and the two plates or longitudinal half sleepers or bearers forming jaws,
which grip the dovetailed web of the rail and imprison it between them. The rail
may be of iron or steel, and instead of a dovetailed web the sides may be almost
or quite parallel, and have a slight enlargement or head at the lower edge of square
or rounded form, as shown in Figure 4, the form of the inner sides of the jaws or
plates being modified accordingly.
a, a, in Figures 1 and 2, are shoulders on which the web of the rail rests, but
these may be dispensed with, as in Figure 4. The rail being rolled, I may in any
case provide the necessary amount of play to enable the web to fit easily between
the jaws or half sleepers. The rails being liable to "crcep," especially on inclines,
I prevent this by inserting a transverse pin or key b in a notch in a web of the
rail, and its lateral projecting ends received in corresponding notches formed in the
jaws or half sleepers. Or instead of a cross pin I may provide a tenon c, Figure 1º,
projecting downward from the web of the rail, and received in notches in the
shoulders of the half sleepers, the upper half of the tenon c fitting in a notch in
the rail web, and being made of greater width than the lower half so as to rest
upon the shoulders of the half sleepers.
The rail and sleeper may also be traversed through and through by a cross pin
rivetted at its two extremities, as in Figure 5; or a bolt, which may or may not be
rivetted over the nut. In any case I provide the necessary freedom for expansion
and contraction.
The section of the longitudinal half sleepers or bearers is variable, as well as
their distance apart and degree of inclination, and they may either have feet d, as
in Figure 1, or not, as in Figure 6.
In order to obviate the wear of the jaws or heads of the half sleepers I may
harden them by any suitable means.
The longitudinal half sleepers are fished by iron or steel plates f, Figure 3 (which
is a half section and elevation combined), fitting in enlarged slots in the ribs of the
transverse sleeper, and may or may not be fixed by one or more bolts. When only
one bolt is employed, the hole through which it passes is half in each of the
adjacent ends of the two plates or half sleepers to be fished.

page_text: I may also provide similar plates at the intermediate cross sleepers or the other
supports, such as short lengths of transverse sleeper, which I may employ. The
bolts used with these fish plates are T headed, and introduced from the outside
through slots of corresponding form, and turned a quarter round so as to lie across
the slot; the bolt having also a square shoulder, which after the bolt has been passed
through the slot and turned partly round, as above mentioned, fits in the slot and
prevents the bolt turning whilst being or when secured by its nut.
For further security the bolt may be rivetted over the nut. The slot in which
the bolt is received is horizontal, so as to leave sufficient space between the bolt and
the ends of the slot to allow for the expansion and contraction of the sleepers.
A modification, which however does not change the essential features of the
system, consists in placing a bridge rail astride the two half sleepers, as shown in
Figures and 7. In the former Figure the hollow of the rail is of dovetail form,
and the heads of the half sleepers which are received therein are of such form as at
once to support and hold down the rail, so that it cannot rise or be lifted off when
once the half sleepers have assumed their final positions in the notches of the
transverse sleepers.
In Figure 7 the flanges of the rails are splayed outwards, and tho rail is secured
by wedge-shaped plates or keys received in corresponding slots in the cross
sleeper; these plates serving also as fish plates at the joints of the longitudinal
sleepers and of the rails.
The cross sleepers may be of U, T, double T, L, or other section, having ribs or
flanges capable of being slotted or notched for fixing the longitudinal sleepers, as
above described. For example, the transverse sleeper shown in Figure 3 is
especially applicable at the joints. It is of H form, of which the upper flanges are
the wider, and slightly inclined apart to facilitate the rolling. The sleeper shown
in Figure 15 is also of H form; the lower flanges are inclined slightly apart, and.
are themselves flanged to form feet. This arrangement of the flanges has for its
object to give great elasticity to the permanent way. If used for the intermediate
supports there would be only one flange on the upper side of the web or table
placed longitudinally in the centre thereof.
The form shown in Figure 9, suitable for an intermediate support, and generally
all those having but one flange on the upper side to be notched or slotted, are of an
H form, with the web extended beyond the flanges at one side, so as to form an
upwardly rising rib A, which is notched or slotted for the reception of the half
sleepers. The flanges of the H portion may be of equal or unequal width.
Figure 10 shows a sleeper of trough-shaped section, with a central longitudinal
rib or flange on the upper side, which is slotted or notched for the reception of the
longitudinal sleepers. The same end is attained by bolting or rivetting near the
two ends of a trough or U shaped sleeper ☐ shaped brackets, as in Figure 11.
Figures 12 and 13 show means of fixing the longitudinal sleepers on U shaped
or flat transverse sleepers. In Figure 12 the half sleepers are retained by an iron
plate having a hook-shaped claw, that passes through a slot in and takes under
the cross sleeper, as shown; a shoulder g prevents this plate tilting outwards. In
Figure 13 two obtuse angled irons or brackets are bolted or rivetted to the cross
sleeper, and correspond in their inclination and position to the outer edge of the
slots or notches shown in Figure.1.
Figure 14 shows the longitudinal half sleepers fixed to flat or U shaped trans-
verse sleepers by bolts passing through the feet of the former. The dovetailed web
of the rail is inserted between the half sleepers before tightening up the bolts;
once the rail in place the nuts are tightened up, and the whole thus secured. The
slots or notches in the transverse sleepers for the reception of the longitudinal
sleepers are of such form that the outer edge corresponds exactly with the
inclination of the outer surface of the longitudinal sleeper which abuts against it,
and the other or inner edge recedes somewhat from it towards the base, so as to
give sufficient width for the introduction of the longitudinal sleepers., m, Figure 1,
is a stop at the bottom of the slot to prevent the longitudinal half sleepers

page_text: approaching one another at the base. Between the inner surface of the half
sleepers and the inner edges of the slots there is sufficient space to allow of the
elastic action of the longitudinal sleepers. The slots or notches may however be
varied in form, according as the form and strength of the longitudinal half sleepers
are modified. When the latter are furnished, with feet they are notched where the
ribs or flanges of the transverse sleepers come, as at n, Figure 3, the notches being
wide enough to allow the longitudinal sleepers to be introduced in their slots, and
their feet to come flat on the table of the transverse sleeper.
:
Instead of transverse sleepers, short lengths of similar section may be used as
supports for the longitudinal sleepers, these supports being connected by tie bars of
square, round or other section to preserve the gauge.
In order to incline the rails inwards at the proper angle, the transverse sleepers
may be curved or slightly inclined upwards at the ends, or in arrangements such as
shown in Figure 1; the notches or slots receiving the outer longitudinal half
sleepers are made of slightly less depth than those receiving the inner half sleepers;
and in order to prevent the outer half sleepers being cut by the portion of the rib
or flange of the transverse sleeper left remaining, I interpose between them a saddle
piece consisting of a flat plate notched on the under side to fit on the portion of the
rib or flange above mentioned, and flat on the upper side for the base of the longi-
tudinal half sleeper, to rest upon..
Figures 16 and 16a show the arrangement at the joints of the longitudinal
sleepers when transverse sleepers are used, the joints of the rails being at the middle
of the length of the longitudinal sleepers.
Figures 17 and 17a show an intermediate cross sleeper or tie bar; and Figures 18,
18, 19, and 19 show short lengths of the transverse sleepers used as supports.
I have in these Figures reproduced some of the elements already referred to in
the detail Figures, although, as before mentioned, the form and arrangement may be
varied according to circumstances.
For curves, the rails and longitudinals may be bent cold and on the spot, and the
space between each pair of slots in the cross sleepers is increased to correspond to
the increased splay of the longitudinal half sleepers. The longitudinal sleepers may
be in one piece instead of two halves, and may either be slid end wise through the
slots of the cross sleeper, as in Figure 5, or the longitudinal sleeper itself may be
slotted to receive a flanged tie bar or cross sleeper slid endwise through the slots in
the longitudinal.
In Figure 5 the rail is of bridge form, and fits on the head of the longitudinal
sleeper, and the latter is provided at the shoulders with flanges which embrace the
webs of the rail and grip them the tighter, owing to the springing of the longi-
tudinal sleeper the greater the weight coming on the rail. This longitudinal
sleeper may or may not be provided with feet, and rests by its lower edges on the
rib or flange of the cross sleeper. The rail is secured by a cross pin rivetted at
both ends, or by a bolt, the holes receiving the same being oval to allow the
necessary freedom for expansion and contraction.
'
Figures 8 and 8 show another method of fixing the rail, having a parallel web
on a longitudinal sleeper in one piece. A transverse dovetail groove is made in the
bottom of the web, in which, before the rail is fixed, is inserted the head of corre-
sponding dovetail form of a bolt which passes through a hole in the sleeper, and is
secured by a nut underneath. .
I may also secure the same form of rail by set screws passing through the sides
of the upper part or head of the sleeper, and bearing with their points against the
web of the rail, which in this case should be grooved to receive nuts placed on the
inside ends of the bolts, and which serve to retain the rail in place.
Figures 20 and 20ª represent an arrangement in which the longitudinal and
transverse sleepers are "halved" together, one half of the longitudinal sleeper being
received in slots in the transverse sleeper shown in Figure 21, and the other half of
the latter being received in a notch in the former, shown in Figure 22. The longi-
tudinal is in two pieces, and the transverse sleeper is of a triple T form as shown,

page_text: the rail resting on the upper table, and attached to the longitudinal by one of the
means above described. The upper end of the notch in the longitudinal rests on
the middle table of the transverse sleeper, and the lower edge of the longitudinal
rests on the bottom table or base of the transverse sleeper, which is rather wider
than the others.
At the joints I may use two transverse sleepers, and pass through slots made in
the webs of the transverse sleepers between the upper and middle tables, and along-
side the webs of the longitudinal half sleepers, ordinary fish plates, which are
secured to the half sleepers by one or more T headed bolts, as before described.
:
Figures 23, 23ª, and 24 represent a system in which the longitudinals do not
rest upon the cross ties or sleepers, but abut against them. The latter are furnished
at each extremity with a metal sole plate grooved to receive the foot of a Vignoles
rail (see Figure 23), and secured by hold-down bolts, which also serve to secure the
rail. The bolts are T headed, and are placed on the cross sleepers before the rail, in
the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 23ª. The nut being tightened up,
and the bolt being rivetted down over the nut, allows of the bolt, being turned a
quarter round, so as to bring the head of the bolt on to the foot of the rail. The
parts of the sleeper are thus firmly united, and although the screw may rust and
prevent the nut turning, this is no objection. The sole plate may be in two parts,
to admit of rails of different width of foot being used, or the plate may be dispensed
with, and in that case the T head of the bolt will be recessed at one side to receive
the foot of the rail, the other side resting on the surface of the sleeper.
I may dispense with the nut, and simply rivet down the bolt at the under side
over a washer introduced to enable the rivetted bolt to turn freely. This method
of fastening may be used with or without longitudinal sleepers. If used, the longi-
tudinals are grooved on their upper surface to receive the foot of the rail, as in
Figure 24, which is fixed thereon precisely as on the transverse sleeper.
Another arrangement of the system represented in Figures 1,2, and 3, is as follows:-
The transverse sleepers may be divided immediately beneath the centre line of the
longitudinals into three parts united by hinges, so that the extreme ends of the
transverse sleepers may be inclined downwards, and that the longitudinal half
sleepers can be inserted in the notches of the transverse sleeper, after which the.
heads or jaws of the half sleepers are brought together to grip the web of the rail
by straightening the parts of the transverse sleeper. The longitudinal in a single
piece, shown in Figure 5, may also be inserted in this way in the transverse sleeper,
provided the ribs or flanges of the latter which are retained outside the longi-
tudinal are cut away within the latter sufficiently to allow the latter to be inserted,
and I claim this, whether the ribs or flanges are affixed to the transverse sleeper or
rolled therewith.
..
In the system shown in Figures 1 to 3, and all analogous systems, particularly
that shown in Figure 4, I reserve the option of placing the joints of the rails either
midway or at a certain distance from those of the longitudinals, or so as to correspond
therewith. In the latter case I fish the rails and longitudinals by cutting out a
rectangle at the lower extremity of the web of each, and placing in this cavity. a
block of rolled iron whose upper part corresponds to and fills the cavity formed by
the notches made in the web of the rail; the middle portion of this iron is a
simple web, and the lower part of dovetail form fits in a notch of similar form
made in each rib or flange of the cross sleeper directly beneath the web of the
rail.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 25 to 28, the table of the transverse
sleeper has a central longitudinal groove in which is lodged a sole piece A made
in one or two parts, and recessed to receive the foot of the rail which rests both on
the sole piece,and sleeper. To fix the rail down upon the sleeper, hold-down bolts
or cramps of the form B or C are employed. These bolts, which are inserted before-
hand in the sleeper, and made with a screw. thread as fine as possible, also pass
through and fix the sole piece to the sleeper; they are rivetted over their nuts to
prevent unscrewing. The bolts are first placed in the position shown in plan,

page_text: Figure 26, so as to enable the rail to be dropped into place without the necessity of
tilting it, after which the bolts are turned a quarter round with a spanner, so as
to rigidly fix the rail and sole piece to the sleeper. The several arrangements pre-
viously described with reference to Figures 23, 23a, and 24 are also applicable to
the system last described.
Figure 28 shows the arrangement for rail joints; the half sole pieces A are the
same as in the other Figures, except that the bolt holes are placed further back a
distance equal to the depth of the notches at the ends of the rails, as shown, and
owing to the altered position of the holes, the sole pieces when placed in position
necessarily come closer together beneath the rail. To allow. for this, a space is left
between them, as shown. The sole pieces enter the notches in the rail foot, and so
prevent the rail creeping, the bolts at same time firmly holding down the rail on either
side.
The rails may or may not be united by fish plates. The above arrangement may
be modified by the bolts, instead of each having its own nut screwing into an iron
plate common to both, placed beneath the sleeper. It is evident that the advantage
of having the transverse sleeper and its accessories in a single piece disappears, and
that the head of the bolts might be made either square, six, or eight sided. I may
also, with reference to the arrangement shown in Figures 25 to 28, reverse the bolt
and fit it with a square shoulder inserted from below into a square hole in the
sleeper; the nut in this case would bear upon the rail foot, and also upon the edge
of the support or sole.
Figures 29 to 35 represent a modification of the system shown in Figures 1 to 4.
The half longitudinals instead of resting with their feet upon the table of the cross
sleeper are notched at E (Figure 31), and rest upon the sleeper by their web, which
is strengthened by a shoulder a, Figure 29. The cross sleeper also has two openings
F, Figure 30, to allow the longitudinal to pass through. The arrangement may
be still further modified in such manner that the table of the cross sleeper may rest
upon the fect P of the longitudinals, and the interlocking be effected at a higher or
lower point, as may be judged convenient.
Figure 31 shows the arrangement for a joint sleeper which may also be employed,
and Figure 32, an intermediate sleeper.
Figure 33 shows the mode of putting the several parts of the line together.
Figure 34 a half cross section, and Figure 35 a plan of parts of the line.
In the arrangements shown in Figures 36 to 39, the cross sleeper is of nearly the
same form as in the first-described arrangement, and the rail is fixed by a clamp M,
Figure 36, rivetted beforehand to the sleeper under which the foot of the rail is
inserted, the locking being then completed by bolting the cramp X to the sleeper;
both these fastenings are lodged in the groove of the sleeper. This groove may also
receive two washers placed under the nuts of the bolts by which the rail is fixed to
the sleeper, and which bear on the washers at the opposite side to the rail;
these washers would be of the form of the thick portion of the sole piece A,
Figure 25.
Figures 38 and 39 show the arrangement of cramp X for rail joints.
Each rail foot has a rectangular notch made in its end to receive an internal lug
or projection on the cramp, which is made thicker at this point, as indicated by the
lines in Figure 39, so as to prevent the creeping of the rail.
-
Figure 40 represents an arrangement in which the rail is fixed on an iron longitu-
dinal by means of a bolt, and although this and other following Figures shows a
rail more especially adapted for tramways, it may nevertheless be adapted to other
uses by a slight modification in its form, as for instance, by dispensing with the
groove in its upper surface.
The longitudinal is of I iron, the upper flanges serving to support the rail, while
the bottom flanges are fixed on iron supports of any form, but preferably having a
broad base, said supports being of variable width, and placed at any suitable
distances apart.
The longitudinal may be fixed to its support by either of the modes herein-before

page_text: described, and it is here shewn as secured by a bolt and nut, with an intervening
washer of about the same thickness as the foot of the longitudinal.
Figure 41 shews an elevation, and Figure 42 a plan of the arrangement for rail
and longitudinal sleeper joints.
The rails and longitudinals break joint, and the joints of the longitudinals rest on
the supports.
Figure 43 shews a plan of the line.
a, a, are the supports, and b, b, cross ties herein-after referred to; c, c, are bolts or
keys placed at regular intervals apart for fixing the rail to the longitudinal.
Figure 40 shews a bolt used for this purpose, which may be replaced by a key, as
in Figure 44. In each of these cases a distance piece Z, Figures 40 and 40a, may be
applied on the bolt on either side of the longitudinal to support the rail flanges
under the pressure of the bolt.
Instead of mounting the rail on a longitudinal, a rail of the form shewn in
Figures 45 and 46 may be employed, fixed to the supports in the same manner as
the longitudinal. By widening the foot of the longitudinal, Figure 44, or of the
rail foot, Figures 45 and 46, or by making the rail of the form shewn in Figure 48,
they may be bedded direct upon the ballast without any intermediate supports. In
this case the rails or longitudinals are fished in the ordinary manner, as shewn in
Figure 45. In order to prevent the longitudinal or the rail, as the case may be,
when thus laid from sinking into the ballast, reserve the right to make holes of
suitable size and depth at regular intervals along the line, into which I run concrete,
cement, mortar, &c., see Figures 47 and 47"; or a trench may be made instead of
holes, in which the above materials are placed to form a bed for the rails. 'The
gauge of the line is maintained in the several arrangements shewn in Figures 40 to
48 by cross ties of flat, round, square, or other section. Where the space between
the rails is to be paved, as in street lines, I make the cross ties adjustable, so as to
be readily adapted to the position of the joints of the paving.
:-
The following are the various modes of obtaining this result:
(a.) The cross tie P, Figures 40 and 41, of flat iron terminates in a return end o,
having a slot R through which the bolt passes for fixing the cross tie to the longi-
tudinal or rail, the bolt also serving as a guide upon which the tie bar can be slid
into position. The slot R is of slightly less length than half the width of a paving
block, so that by turning over the cross tie to the one side or the other it may be
made to successively assume all the positions comprised within the width of a block,
and thus be always enabled to fit between the joints of the paving.
(b.) In Figures 48 and 49 the slot R instead of being made in the return end of
the cross tie is formed either in the longitudinal or rail, and may either be one long
slot; or in order to get the same range of adjustment without weakening the rail
or longitudinal, there may be two short .slots. The total length should be rather
less than the width of the paving block. It will be seen that the cross tie may
occupy two different positions in each slot with the return end to the right or left
of the bolt which is fixed in the return end, so that the cross tie is free to be placed.
in any position intermediate of the two opposite ends of the slot.
(c.) In Figure 50 there are holes T, in any one of which the bolt of the cross tie
is placed to suit the joints of the paving, the return end being in this, as in the
first case, slotted to enable the tie bar to be adjusted to any position intermediate
of the extreme holes T of the series. In each case the gauge may be varied by the
insertion of thin washers or packing pieces between the longitudinal or rail and the
return end of the cross tie. It is, however, preferable to employ the arrangement
shewn in Figure 51, in which one end of the cross tie is made straight, and
terminates in an adjusting screw having two nuts, between which the web of the
longitudinal or rail is clamped. In this manner a most perfect adjustment may be
obtained. Figure 52 shews an arrangement in which the two halves of the
longitudinal sleeper are held in position by iron or steel blocks A fixed on a flat tie
bar passed through the longitudinal and uniting the two rails. The blocks

page_text: are bevelled on the side next the longitudinal to retain the latter at its proper
inclination.
In laying the line the half sleepers are first held upright, the cross tie introduced
through their slots therein, after which the stops A are bolted to the cross tie, and
the two halves of the sleeper allowed to fall into position against the inclined tops.
The longitudinals are supported internally by the ballast, and are more firm the
greater the load upon them. One or two stops of this kind may be placed on each
bolt, the squared shoulders of which pass through both the cross tie and the stops
to prevent the latter turning. Each stop or pair of stops may be fixed by two
bolts. Figure 53 shews a similar arrangement. The cross tię E has inclined slots
to receive keys C, against which the outer faces of the longitudinals bear, the
flanges a of which are notched to embrace the cross tie, to prevent the keys from
loosening, and the slots in the cross tie must be of the width shewn in dotted lines
to allow of the keys being introduced.. In order to give the requisite inward
inclination to the rail and half sleepers, the cross ties may be bent, or the apertures
for the cross ties in the half sleepers may be obliquely formed with the same
object.
The bases of the half sleepers may be kept apart by a saddle piece inserted
between them presenting a slightly more acute angle than that formed by the
longitudinals to allow of their necessary freedom of motion when the rail is intro-
duced between them. To afford increased support to the rails I may place beneath
the cross ties two or more short lengths of U,T, or I iron, as shown at F, Figure 53,
the flanges being notched to fit on said cross ties; these notches may be dovetailed
and the cross ties of corresponding form, as shown at Figure 53ª
At the joints two cross ties are used connected by the keys C, which are of the
necessary length to form fish plates, the two cross ties being still further connected
by the angle irons, which are notched to receive them as before. The arrangement
shown in Figure 54 comprises a rail and two half sleepers, as described, supported
upon a longitudinal H iron base, the upper flanges of which have been bent inwards
in rolling to suit the angle of inclination of the two cheeks of the longitudinals.
The Hiron longitudinals are connected by cross ties. Instead of H iron longi-
tudinals I may use two-angle irons connected by any suitable means so as to enable
the ballast to be filled into the triangular space beneath the rail. The saddle piece
before referred to may also be employed in this case. The inward inclination of
the rail and sleeper may also be obtained by making one of the half sleepers or one
branch of the sleeper deeper than the other, or by varying the inclination of the
slots in which the half sleepers are inserted.
To prevent wear of the edge of the slot in which the half sleeper fits, see Figure
55, I protect it by a grooved plate A, Figure 55ª, which embraces the edges of the
slot in the web of the sleeper, and may be readily renewed when worn. These
plates are also employed for the joints when they are considerably enlarged, and
inserted in both the notches of the joint sleeper, so as to act as fish plates. Figure
55 also shows a modification in the fish plate described at the commencement. In
this case the dovetailed head of plate B received in a notch in the sleeper is
dispensed with, the plate being simply prolonged and notched so as to sit astride of
the sleeper; or the plate may be notched to the depth a, b, and the sleeper to the
depth c, d, and so halved together to prevent either of the parts from moving.
I may also, to avoid the use of fish plates, add a strong rib at the centre of the
joint sleeper, notched to receive the half longitudinals, as seen in Figure 56, the
notches being made of sufficient depth to prevent the half sleepers coming out.
The side flanges of the joint sleeper may be considerably reduced in depth. The
fishing of the longitudinals may also be effected by the hooked plate, Figure 57,
already described. The hook engages beneath the table of the sleeper, while the
shoulder t rests upon the top of said table so that it cannot tilt outwards; the half
sleepers are placed between the hooked plates in an exactly similar manner as when
inserted in notches in the sleeper. I may also fish the longitudinals and prevent

page_text: any creeping of the rail by employing sleepers of greater length than the rails, say,
about 16 inches in excess, and after having placed the parts in position with their
middle points opposite one another, I fill up the intervals between the ends of the
rails with short lengths of rail of similar section, except that the sides of the web
are parallel instead of being of dovetail form, in order that these may be placed in
position after the other parts are fixed. Each short length is then fixed at each
end by a pin or bolt passing through the web of the rail and the heads of the half
sleepers, the holes for which are pierced elliptically so as to allow for expansion and
contraction.
In order to afford increased support at the base a, Figure 58, of the half sleeper,
a lug this provided, which is received, as shown in Figure 58a, in slots a, b, c, d,
made in the table of the sleeper. For joint sleepers, where the central pin is
dispensed with, a single tongue and slot only would be employed.
Figures 58 and 58a also show the method of preventing any creeping of the rail,
for which purpose the top of the saddle piece P which sits astride the sleeper is let
into a notch made in the under side of the web of the rail. This creeping may
also be prevented either by passing a pin through the web of the rail, whose ends
are received in corresponding holes drilled in the heads of the half sleepers, or by
rolling the vertical faces of the rails and the inner surfaces of the heads of the
half sleepers with vertical corrugations, which fit the one in the other, or by punching
up the heated metal at A, Figure 59, from the opposite side B of the web, the pro-
jection A being received in a corresponding cavity drilled in the head of the half
sleeper. A similar cavity is drilled in the head of the other half sleeper for use
when the rail is turned.
Figures 60 and 61 show novel forms of intermediate sleepers of T iron, the web
A of which is notched to receive the half sleepers, and extended at C beyond the
table B, B, to afford additional strength.
Figure 62 shows a novel form of joint sleeper of L iron, the side flanges of which
are notched to receive the half sleepers, and project slightly on the under side to
give increased strength; a third central web runs longitudinally along the centre of
the base on its under side, which also serves to stiffen the latter as well as to enable
the sleeper to be more firmly bedded in the ballast.
Although I have reserved the right of modifying the form of the rail, longi-
tudinals, and other parts of the permanent way, may mention here a novel form
of rail and longitudinals illustrated in Figure 63, the rail being shown in position
between the longitudinals. The rail may be inserted after the longitudinals have
been placed in position, and the latter may be slightly raised in order to facilitate
this operation. All depends upon the amount of clearance allowed to the web of
the rail between the longitudinals as well as upon the thickness of said web. This
arrangement also enables the rails and sleepers to break joint with each other. The
ribs a of the two longitudinals meet together at the same time that the web of the
rail is gripped, the distance left between said ribs regulating the extent to which
the rail is to be gripped by the longitudinals.
I claim the whole of the arrangements before described for the particular purposes
mentioned, and I also reserve the right to give the rail and longitudinals such form
and dimensions as will enable them to be bent without difficulty. I also reserve
the right of rolling the longitudinals of increased thickness at those points where
they rest upon the sleepers or cross ties.
I have also reserved the right of notching or halving together the longitudinal
and cross sleepers, and have shown some examples of this method of fixing, and in
addition to those mentioned I will here describe yet another arrangement, see
Figure 64, in which the longitudinal is slotted to receive a cross tie of flat or other
form, also notched on its under side, to embrace the longitudinals, the latter resting
upon the cross tie at the point A and the cross ties upon the surfaces B of the lon-
gitudinals. These latter are placed in an upright position, and the tie bars passed
through them, after which each longitudinal being brought opposite the notch it is
to enter, is gradually inclined until it occupies the position shown in the Figure.

page_text: The principle of the arrangement is thus the same as that before described,
although the manner of its application is slightly different, and this example is bere
given in order that the system may be more clearly understood. The rail is omitted
for the purpose of showing that it may be inserted after all the other parts are in
place when I do not wish it to be gripped tightly by its own weight between the
longitudinals, and when the latter drop into notches formed in the cross sleepers, or
in both the longitudinals and cross sleepers, whatever may be the form of such
notches. The inclined slots in the sleeper may also be made on its upper surface
instead of on its under side, in which case the sleeper would rest upon the feet or
bases of the longitudinals.
:
In Figures 65 and 65a the rail is fixed on a cast-iron chair made in two parts by
means of iron plates secured by bolts with square nuts fitting in recesses at the back
of the chairs, which prevent their turning, the bolts being screwed up from the
outside. In this manner the rail need not be drilled for the purpose of fixing it to
the chair. The two chairs may be united by a base, and secured by a single bolt at
the centre.
The height of the chair is adapted to the depth of the sides of the rail, in order
to raise the rail to the height required for the paving "sets." Rails of this form,
whatever may be their arrangement otherwise, are fished at the joints by internal
plates secured by bolts, as shown in Figure 66, or the fish plates may be rivetted
beforehand to one of the rails.
I reserve the right,-
1st. To use cross sleepers instead of supports with rails laid on longitudinal
sleepers or made in one therewith, as before described, whether with or without
cross ties, either of the means of fixing before described being used.
2ndly. To divide the longitudinal sleeper into sections of greater or less length,
and placed at a greater or less distance apart, whether said longitudinal sleepers be
fixed on cross sleepers or supports.
3rdly. To make the several parts of iron, steel, or even of cast iron, as far as
possible.
4thly. To vary according to circumstances the dimensions of the parts, and to
allow either in rolling or fitting for the necessary play to ensure a proper adjust-
ment as well as for expansion and contraction under variations of temperature.
5thly. To use cross sleepers, supports, cross ties, and longitudinals of iron of any
section which can be used in the different cases mentioned.
6thly. To use as deemed most suitable, bolts fastened by nuts or keys of any.
form, and to substitute rivets when they can be conveniently applied.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. Fixing a longitudinal sleeper constructed in two halves in inclined slots in
the ribs or flanges of a transverse sleeper, by inclining the two halves gradually in
opposite directions, separating them at the base, in combination with a rail having
a dovetail web, which is gripped by the jaws of the half sleepers immediately the
parts fall by their own weight into their proper places, substantially as herein set forth.
2nd. The employment in combination with a longitudinal sleeper constructed in
two halves and fixed in a transverse sleeper, as above specified, of a bridge rail with
parallel or inclined flanges, substantially as shown and described.
3rd. Fixing a longitudinal sleeper made in one piece in slots in a cross sleeper,
substantially as herein shown and described, by sliding the longitudinal endwise
through the slots, as specified.
4th. Fixing the longitudinal sleeper to the transverse sleeper, as above specified,
by sliding the cross sleeper through slots in the webs of the longitudinal, as shown
and described.
5th. Adapting iron sleepers of flat or U section to receive and hold the arrange-
ments herein-before described in § 1, by the application of L shaped irons, or irons
furnished with claws, substantially as shown and described,

page_text: 6th. Constructing transverse sleepers of the different special forms herein shown
and described.
7th. Fixing the rail having a parallel web upon a longitudinal by means of bolts
having dovetailed heads fitting in corresponding notches in the under side of the
rail web, and secured by a nut beneath the longitudinal.
8th. Fixing the longitudinal sleepers constructed in two halves in the cross
sleepers by "halving" them together, substantially as herein shown and described.
9th. Fixing the longitudinal sleepers made in one or two pieces on the cross
sleeper by means of bolts passing through the fect of the longitudinal half sleepers,
and holding them down on the cross sleeper, substantially as set forth.
10th. Fixing the rail arranged, as shown and described, on the longitudinal or
cross sleeper by means of T headed bolts, inserted beforehand in holes in the
sleeper, and secured by nuts and rivetted, which are turned a quarter round, so
that its head comes on the foot of the rail, as specified.
11th. The arrangement of the longitudinal between, instead of upon, the trans-
verse sleepers, the two extremities of each longitudinal sleeper abutting against the
transverse sleeper or short length of sleeper used as a support, substantially as
shown and described.
12th. The transverse sleeper divided into three parts and hinged together, the
longitudinal sleepers made in one or two pieces, and the rail being fixed thereto,
substantially as specified.
13th. Grooving the sleeper for the reception of sole pieces or supports, and more
especially uniting in one the sleeper and its accessories, as before described.
14th. In the system of rail carried upon pairs of longitudinals, notching the
feet of the latter to allow of their passing through slots made in the table of
the cross sleeper, in order not to have any break in the ballast contained in
said longitudinals, the arrangement being as before described.
15th. Fixing the rail upon the cross sleeper by means of attachments, which
may or may not be received in a groove in said sleeper, the one attachment
being bolted or rivetted beforehand to the sleeper as specified.
16th. Mounting the rail upon an iron longitudinal sleeper of suitable section so
as to enable only the worn parts of the line to be renewed, said sleeper, or the rail
and sleeper when in one, being carried on suitable angle iron supports, and the line
kept in gauge by cross ties, as described.
17th. Widening the foot of the rail or longitudinal sleeper in order that it may
be bedded directly upon the ballast, with a view to increase the bearing surface, as
described.
18th. Laying the rail or longitudinal sleeper on a foundation of concrete, cement,
&c., at intervals or continuously, as and for the purpose specified.
19th. Constructing the rails of the different forms shown in the Drawings.
20th. Rendering the cross ties adjustable in either of the ways shown and
described, for the purpose specified.
21st. Fixing the rail on chairs made in one or two parts without inaking any
holes in the rail by the use of iron clamps, and fishing the rail internally as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of August. in the year of our Lord One
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)