TwEROVEMENTS IN RAILWAYS "
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Bridges Adams, of Adam Street,
Adelphi, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Inven-
tion of "TwEROVEMENTS IN RAILWAYS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Bridges
Adams at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 17th February 1853.
I, WILLIAM BRIDGES ADAMS, of No. 1, Adam Street, Adelphi, in-
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAYS" to be as
follows:-
In better modes of securing the guage of rails on railways, and also
in lowering the total height of the rails above the sleepers, and giving
greater strength to the rails to prevent deflection. The rail is lowered
when metallic chairs are used, by forming the bottoms of the chairs,
when they bed in the sleepers, in steps; the centre portion being lower
than the other parts, and bedded in the sleeper to the guage of way.
A'

page_text: The rail may be lowered in the chair to the level of the sleeper.top or
lower, or it may be kept at the usual height. And as a variation from
the metallic chairs, side brackets of metal may be used on one or each
side of the rail which beds in or on to the sleeper, and they may be
bolted to the rail, or rivetted and spiked or bolted or trenailed to the
sleeper. And as a variation from these brackets blocks of timber fitting
the rails on each side and fixed to the sleepers may be used, or longi-
tudinal timbers may be used, the whole length or part of the length of
the rails, bolted laterally through the rails which bed in or on the
cross sleepers, and are bolted down to them to preserve the guage. And
to cut the longitudinal sleepers or blocks a machine with a revolving
cutter is made fitted to the sectional form. To cut the cross sleepers
for the exact guage a machine with two cutters on one shaft, or one
cutter, with a method of guaging the distance, is provided, so that the
sleepers may press above or below the cutters, or the cutters may
traverse above the sleepers. And when the brackets, blocks, or longi-
tudinal timbers are used the rail may be increased in depth, to prevent
deflection, and permit sufficient thickness of timber in the side channel
between the upper and lower tables; and the rails may be steel'd on
their faces to be more durable.
1.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Bridges Adams in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 12th August 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM BRIDGES ADAMS; of No. 1, Adam Street, Adelphi, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the seventeenth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Bridges Adams, Her special
licence that I, the said William Bridges Adams, my executors, admi-

page_text: nistrators, and assigns, or such others; as. I, the said William Bridges
Adams, 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, usé,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN RAILWAYS" upon the condition (amongst others) that I;
the said William Bridges Adams, 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 Bridges. Adams, do
hereby declare the nature of, my said Invention, and in what manner.
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in 'and by the following statement, that is to say:'
Whereas the mechanical efficiency of the permanent way of railways"
requires that the rails be strong, vertically and horizontally, to resist
vertical pressure and lateral shocks, and prevent deflection, and that
the upper surface of the rails should be kept as low as practicable on
the sleepers, to diminish unsteadiness; and that the accurate distance or
guage between the rails should be maintained, and that the rails should
bear on such a surface as will not tend' to 'damage them by blows or
percussion of the wheels, and will be of sufficient area to sustain them ;:
and that the joints of the rails should be so firm as to make them:
resemble as nearly as possible a continuous bar or bars, with the wear-
ing surface as hard and solid as may be practicable. My Invention in
its various parts calculated to effect these objects, and the parts of
the Invention may be used separately or in combination, that is to say:
"the better securing the guage of rails on railways; the lowering the:
total height of the rails above the 'sleepers, the rails being secured:
either in: metal or timber chairs or beds, and efficiently connected by
fastenings: at: the joints, and the rails being in one or more parts, and
hardened, if required, on the surface; giving greater depth to the rails to.
9

page_text: prevent deflection; and lowering the rails by making central steps in
the chairs, and bedding such chairs, by grooving them in the sleepers
to the guage of way, or by using metallic or timber brackets instead of
chairs; or longitudinal timbers bolted laterally to the rails bedded into
cross sleepers; and also machines to prepare the timbers." And as
regards the lowering the rails on the sleepers, I accomplish it in various
modes, dispensing with the chairs commonly used, as herein-after
explained, and illustrated by the annexed three Sheets of Drawings.
Figure 1, Sheet I., is a cross section; and Figure 1 A, a plan of a double
headed rail, such as is commonly used with chairs, and is intended to
reverse when required. It is shewn in section with the lower table
resting in a groove or channel of the timber cross sleeper A. A hole-
or holes are pierced in the rail, and two bracket blocks B, B, of oak or
other timber fitted to the side channels of the rail, between the upper
and lower tables, are bolted to it; the bolt or bolts D, D, passing through
all three, or bolts with keys and cottars, or any other available mode of
fastening, may be used. The rail thus resting on the sleepers and the
bracket blocks, spokes, or trenails C, C, are driven through vertical holes
in the blocks into the sleeper A, and the whole are fastened together.
In this mode the upper surface of a rail five inches in depth will only
be raised about four inches above the surface of the sleeper; whereas,
fixed in the ordinary chairs, it would be six inches and a half to seven
inches above the surface of the sleeper. This lowering of the rail will
diminish the leverage of the lateral blows, tending to unseat the chair,
and to spring the sleeper in the centre, and loosen it in the ballast;
and, moreover, as the distance between the top of the rail and the
bottom of the sleeper will be lessened three inches, a corresponding
thickness of ballast may be dispensed with and saved. Another
advantage is, that the rail, resting on and being supported by timber,
will not be bruised or damaged, as is frequently the case with rails
resting in iron chairs. In cases where it is preferred not to punch the
rails with holes the bracket blocks may be spiked or otherwise
fastened down to the sleepers without bolting to the rails, as shewn
by Figure 1 B. A similar arrangement to Figure 1, is shewn at
Figure 2, and Figure 2 A, save that brackets of cast iron B, B,

page_text: are fastened to the rail and sleeper instead of wood brackets, or
instead of cast iron short lengths of angle iron or wrought iron may be
used. Figure 2 B, shews angle iron brackets B, B, in contact with
but not bolted to the rail, and spiked down to the sleeper at C, C. At
Figure 3, is shewn a cast iron bracket A, on one side of the rail, and a
wood bracket B, on the other, all bolted together. And whereas
in some cases it may be considered desirable not to groove the sleeper
to receive the rail; Figure 4, shews a pair of bracket blocks of timber
B, B, bolted to the rail and spiked down to the sleeper; but in such
case, as the spikes C, C, have to sustain the lateral thrust of the wheels,
they must be made as strong as in the case of common chairs.
Figure 5, shews a pair of cast iron brackets B, B, holding the rails
similarly to Figure 4. In these last cases the rails will not be so low
on the sleepers as when grooved in, but they will be considerably lower
than where ordinary chairs are used. Figure 6, is a side view, and
Figure 6 A, a plan of a mode of fixing a rail with two bracket block's
B, B, with the grain of the wood endwise to the rail, and notched into
the surface of the cross sleeper A, to which they are spiked or trenailed,
or bolted or screwed, or key and cottered down without being bolted
through the rail. Or, instead of the bracket blocks B, B, being
notched into the sleepers, a plate of iron turned up at the ends may be
placed beneath them, to keep them in contact with the rail. Or, if
preferred, the bracket blocks may be notched into the sleeper and the
rail also, the bracket being at an angle and point, as before described, in
the position indicated by the dotted lines a, a, a, a, on Figure 6. And
all the timber brackets herein described may have the grain endways to
the rail, or vertical, if preferred; or they may be long enough to reach
from one sleeper to another, and be bolted with one or more bolts. Or
a plate of iron turned up at the ends may be laid below the blocks to
keep them close to the rail. Figure 7, shews a pair of wood blocks
B, B, bolted to the rail, and notched into the surface of the sleeper A,
and spiked down, thus assisting to prevent lateral strain on the spikes
or trenails. Figure 8, shews a similar arrangement with a pair of cast
iron brackets B, B. Figure 9, shews a pair of timber bracket blocks
B, B, bolted to the rail, which is grooved into a short length of timber

page_text: A; and all spiked down on the cross sleeper. C, at D; D; and; this
arrangement may be very useful in case of using, sleepers of soft wood;
or such as have been damaged by chairs on them.. And the rail, when
grooved into the cross sleeper of good timber, will not sink into it
beyond such pressure as to take an equal bearing. And the surface of
the rail on the sleeper. will be nearly twice the amount of, bearing
usual when seated in chairs. And as shewn at Figures 1, andal: A;
the bearing surface of the rail will be over twenty-two inches, and
the wood brackets forty-eight inches, being a total of seventy, inches;
and chair bearings on the sleepers being usually only about forty
inches. And the pressure of the wheels of the locomotive will bring
the whole to a very firm joint, and the elastic action; of the wood
will keep the bolts and spikes .tight, and keeps out water and
the bracket blocks may be larger or smaller, as desired; or, they may
have two or more bolts, and stretch from sleeper to sleeper, if preferred:
And if it so happens that by the. weight the lower table, of the rail
presses into the sleeper, and the under side of the upper table.into the
brackets, so as to make an opening between the brackets and the
upper side of the lower table of the rail, wedges of wood or métal
may be driven into the opening to hold the rail down tight> Figure
10, shews a pair of bracket blocks B, B, bolted: to the rail, and spiked
down to the cross sleeper A, on a channeled plate Cgrooved into the
sleeper, and the plate, if preferred, may be turned up at the ends.to
keep the bracket blocks in contact with the rail: Figure:11,.shews. a
rail with two bracket blocks B, B, bolted to it, and bolted down on a
cast iron sleeper A, A, with a channel in its upper. surface; anda girder
rib D, below, which serves the double purpose of strengthening the
sleeper, and giving it lateral. firmness in the ballast. The surface of
the sleeper, as shewn, is about two, square feet, but it may be more
or less, and the weight may, be three quarters. of, a hundred weight,
or more or less.
It is cast so as to, take an iron tie. bar. E, to bè
bolted to it to secure the guage of way; and the rail will thus have
a long bearing on each sleeper; and the bracket: blocks may, extend
from one edge of the sleeper to the other, and by the elastic. pressure
of the wood the rail will be kept very firm and free from jarring.

page_text: Figure 12, shews a similar cast iron sleeper and bracket block arrange-
ment, the brackets being of timber; and Figure 12 A, is the plan,.
shewing the rail joints D, D, D, D, and four cross bolts, and two
holding down bolts E, E. This sleeper A, is without a groove, and for
this reason, two side lips H, H, are cast on the surface to confine the
blocks and determine the guage; but wrought or cast angle iron
brackets may be used, if preferred, both in Figures 11, and 12. And
note, though the bracket blocks are generally shewn square on their
upper surface, and with a groove for the wheel flanges to pass, they
may be cut to a slanting or other form required, as seen at Figure 15:
And the rails may be pitched to any required angle, though shewn
vertical; and I prefer the rails to be as long as practicable, to
diminish the number of joints; and to keep the joints firm I use the
brackets of wood or metal, or both combined, of such length as to
take a firm hold of the adjoining rail ends, and I bolt them thereto
with two or more bolts through the rails, causing the rails and
brackets at the joints to bear firmly on a joint cross sleeper or sleepers,
and spiking or bolting or trenailing them thereto, so as to take
off as much as possible of the vertical and lateral strain; but the
brackets may also be used without, bolting through the rail at the
joints, by securing them only to the sleepers in any of, the modes
before described. Figure 12, and Figure 12 A, shew one mode with
tiniber brackets and four cross bolts D, D, held down by the bolts
E, E, on the cast iron sleeper A, A. At Figure 13, is seen a section,
and Figure 13 A, a plan of a pair of cast iron ribbed joint brackets
B, B, bolted through the rails with four bolts b, b, b, b, the nuts being
recessed into the iron, while the bolts turn easily, and the brackets
are spiked down to the cross sleeper A, or they may be bolted
or trenailed, if preferred. Figure 14, shews a section, and Figure
14 A, a plan of a pair of wrought angle iron joint brackets B, B,
similarly secured and bolted through the rails, and spiked to the
sleeper A. In these cases two or three or more bolts may be used,
or one bolt between the joints of the rails, if preferred. Figure 15;
shews a section, and 15 A, a plan of another mode of securing the
A cheek plate of iron D, D, is placed in each channel of the
oints.

page_text: rails, bearing in each a length of eight to ten inches, or more; and
outside of each plate is placed a timber bracket E, E, of similar length,
the whole shewn bolted together through the rails by four bolts, and
bolted, or, if preferred, spiked or trenailed or otherwise secured to the
sleeper A, or merely bearing on it, if preferred; and joint brackets of
this kind may also be used secured to the sleeper, and not bolted to the
rail, if preferred. And although, in these modes of jointing by brackets,
the rails are shown grooved into the cross sleepers, the brackets may be
used without grooving the rail in, as shown at Figures 4, 5, 7, and 8;
and instead of the side plates D, D, at Figure 15, a bottom plate may
be used, laid in the groove as indicated by the dotted line H, Figure 15,
the timber brackets in such case filling the side channels of the rails; or
the side plates and bottom plate may be used together. Figures
16, and 17, Sheet II., shew sections of rails C, C, of seven inches
vertical depth, intended to bear heavy loads, without much vertical or
lateral deflection. Figure 16, is about sixty pounds weight per yard;
Figure 17, about eighty-four. To strengthen these rails laterally
longitudinal timbers B, B, instead of short timber brackets, are bolted
in the side channels, and the under table of the rail is grooved into cross
sleepers A, A. The joints are formed by angle iron brackets D, D, as
shewn in section at Figure 18, and in side view at Figure 18 A,
bolted to the rail at c, c, c, c. Figure 19, is a plan on a smaller
scale, shewing the mode of applying the side timbers B, B, B, B; to
the rails in joined lengths, bolted laterally and spiked down to the
cross sleeper A, A, but only continued to the joint angle iron brackets
D, D, D, D, which are secured to the cross joint sleepers E, E, the open
portions serving for drainage between the joint sleepers and the ends of
the longitudinals. Figure, 20, shews one of these deep rails formed of
three parts, the centre or web A, being first formed, and the tables B, B,
formed with an open groove are applied hot, and in that state are
closed on the ribbed edges of the web, by being passed through rolls or
other equivalent means well known to iron manufacturers. Figure 21,
shews a mode of lowering a rail on a sleeper, by fixing it in ? cast iron
chair with a wood key C, as usual, and with a V rib cast on the jaw of
the chair to prevent the wood key from rising upwards; and the centre

page_text: part of the chair B, is sunk below the sides or ends, and the central
part is also widened to the full width of the sleeper A, and the bottomn
of the rail is level with the top of the sleeper, into which the centre
portion of the chair bottom is fitted, and so helps materially to insure
accuracy of guage, and relieve strain on the holding down bolts, or
trenails, or spikes, by lateral shocks of the wheels. Figure 21 A,
shews this in plan. Figure 22, shews a modified arrangement with.
the chair B, B, divided into two halves, and bolted through the rail
at D, D. Figure 22 A, shows it in plan. Figure 23, shows a joint
chair of cast iron adapted to a bridge rail, and divided into two
halves bolted together through the lower part beneath the rail ends
at E, E, E, E. The halves of the chair B, B, are slipped on side-
ways to the horizontal flanges of the rail, which are shewn reduced
in width as preferable, but which may be left entire, in which case
the chair must be wider; when the rails are bolted in their places
between the half chairs, two iron keys F, F, are driven in above the
rail flange under the lip of the chair; and it is preferable to drive
these keys diagonally, so that they may act elastically against a piece
of timber G, placed in the hollow of the rails. Figure 23 A
shews this chair in plan, spiked down to the cross sleeper A. Figure
23 B, shews a rail and a pair of cast metal brackets in section, and in
side view at Figure 23 C, and in plan at Figure 23 D, with lugs or
projections and abutments A, A, beneath the double tabled rails, to
take bolts, to clip them together without passing through the rails, the
bottoms of which are level with the bottoms of the brackets, or may be
projected below them, and grooved into the sleepers, on or in which
they rest between the lugs A, A, of the brackets D, D; and the whole
is fixed to the cross sleeper B, B, by spikes or trenails or bolts C, C;
and packing pieces may be applied between the abutments A, A, if
required, for adjustment. This arrangement as shown applied to a rail
joint, but it may be used for intermediate sleepers also, if required
to keep the rail low and without holes through it. And it may be
applied to existing rails laid on cross sleepers by merely removing the
old chairs without otherwise disturbing the rails or sleepers. And
when it is desired not to use cast iron I apply a pair of longitudinal

page_text: -
timbers of hard wood, with the rails grooved in between them, and
bolts holding the wood together passing below the rails, as shewn in
section at Figure 23 E, the timbers being of sufficient surface to give
a good bearing to the joints on the ballast, or, if kept small, being
fastened to the cross sleeper. This arrangement of timber with rails
I have before used with longitudinals the whole length of the rails, but
this present application is only of hard or other timber, about three feet
in length; cross timbers being used to secure the intermediates,
and the longitudinal. timbers being only used to the joints. And
whereas in some cases it is desirable to use rails without chairs,
and to have them laterally and vertically stiff, and to keep the
head of the rail low on the sleeper, and to preserve accuracy of
guage without depending on the skill of the workman laying the
rails down, and with sufficient lateral resistance against such shocks
without depending altogether on the bolts or trenails that hold the
rails down. I use for that purpose a modification of the wrought iron
girder rails, formerly patented by me, in manner following, that is to
sayI roll the rails with a continuous rib or vertical support projecting
below the horizontal surface on which the rail is supported. The upper
portion is similar to what is called the "foot rail" or "contractors rail,"
consisting of an upper table and a broad foot to rest on the sleepers.
The usual depth of this rail is about four inches, or less, which is in-
adequate to prevent vertical deflection, unless under very light weights.
To stiffen it I roll the rail with a rib below the foot, by which means I
increase the total depth to five inches or more. The cross sleeper is
then grooved across the grain to receive the rib of the rail, the bearing
being on the flat foot, and one rail being on each end of the sleeper at
the accurate guage distances, and the rails are held down by dogs or
spikes or holding down bolts, with fang nuts clipping on the edges, and
not liable to force the rail out of place by reason of the guage rib,
which also prevents lateral strain on the bolts or spikes, and thus the
system is far more effective than the ordinary plan used for laying foot
rails; and either longitudinal sleepers or cross sleepers may be used to
receive the rib of the rail, as preferred. Figure 24, shews a mode of
using this rail A, with a cross sleeper B, in vertical section, and

page_text: Figure 24 A, in plan. The vertical 'section shews this ribia, and hold
ing down bolts K, K, with the cross sleeper B, broken off, and also
the section of, the side plates H, H, which secure the joints with
the bolts R, R, through the rails. Figure 24 A shews..the two rails.
meeting together, and four cross bolts R, R, R, R, and holding down
bolts K, K, and a portion of the sleeper. The area of tread.of.the
rails on the sleeper will be, each rail, about thirty-eight inclies super-
ficial. Figure 25, is a vertical section of the same rail A, .fixed to a
sleeper of cast iron B, B, with a girder rib below, the ribof.the-rail
entering a groove in the face of the sleeper. Figure 25 A, is a plan.
shewing two rail ends A, A, and sleeper B; B, and six holding down.
bolts K, K, K, the two rail ends abutting together. They are shown.
without joint plates, as the iron sleeper will afford: effectual vertical:
stiffness. The dotted lines, Figure 25, 'shew how timber. bracket blocks.
may be used to secure the rail in addition to the holding down bolts.
Figure 25 B, shews 'a similar rail B, but with narrower or supporting
flanges supported by a chair "A, with a deep central step notched into
the cross sleeper C, and spiked, down to it at D, D; and although-tlie
holding down bolt of 'these ribbed rails bear on the flanges, they may,"
if preferred, press through holes in the flanges or plates of metal, or
timber may be arranged to bear on the flanges, secured by the holding:
down, bolts, as indicated the dotted lines 0, 0, Figures 25, and 25 A.
At Figure 25 C, is shewn in section: a girder:rail A with the lower.
rib of a dovetail form to key into a corresponding groove of: á cast iron:
sleeper B, similar in shape to Figure 25 A; fastening with a wood.or
metal key C; or with both combined, thus saving the bolts, shewn
at Figures 24, and 25, tie rods as shewn at Figure 11,.being used.
as required to connect the opposite sleepers. Figure 25 D, is a
variation of the girder rail, Figure 25 C, with a lateral. projection a,.
rolled on the vertical rib, which is of greater.depth; and this projection
keys into a corresponding groove in the sleeper, and a wood wedge or.
iron wedge b, being driven in between the chair and the rail; holds. it,
firmly down; and these two last sections of rail shewn àt. Figures. 25 C.
and 25 D, or analagous forms, can be used with cross sleepers of:
timber, as seen at. Figure 125 E. The cross sleeper is grooved by

page_text: b₂
is to
means of a machine with circular saws or cutters, set at the proper
guage, to prepare for both rails at the same time, as herein-after
described. When the vertical cut is made in the sleeper A, and the
pieces taken out of sufficient depth and width for the rib of the rail C,
so that the flanges a, a, take their bearing on the upper surface, and
with extra space for the wedge d the space for the lateral rib
be cut out by a machine or hand chissel or borer. The rail being put
in its place, the wedge & is driven in, fitting against a hollow channel
to keep it tight, and the whole is secure. And as the depth of the rib
is about three inches, more or less, the cross sleeper must be of extra
depth to possess sufficient firmness. And whereas the usual size of
cross sleepers is about nine inches wide by five inches deep; I change
the position of the sleeper by placing the greatest width vertically and
cutting the rib groove on the edge. For moderate loads this plan will
suffice; but if the load be in excess the sleeper must be both wide and
deep, and for this arrangement I prefer oak or other hard wood
sleepers, though other wood may be used. And for making the
joints of such rails so laid sufficiently firm I cut the grooves on
the joint sleepers wider, and lay a cheek plate of iron b, Figure
25 E, in the side channel of the rail, between the upper flange a,
and the lateral side at e, with a side projection on the cheek plate,
and wedge the whole firmly together; and two sleepers may be
laid near to each other, and the cheek plate may connect the rails
together, bearing on to the sleepers; and in this mode the rail will
be vertically and laterally stiff, but it will be very low on the surface of
the sleepers on which it bears, while the central rib serves to hold
it down and preserve the guage. And when it is desirable not to
increase the depth of the sleeper, I adopt the following mode of
securing the rail, as shewn at Figure 25 F:-The sleeper A, is notched
down about half an inch or an inch in depth, and to the width of the
rail bottom a, with the rail C, between the bracket blocks B, B; one
of the blocks is notched out to receive the lateral rib at the foot of the
vertical rib; and the two blocks being spiked or trenailed down to
the sleeper, the whole is secured, but the bracket blocks may also
be bolted to the rail, if preferred. At the joints the plates b, shown by

page_text: the dotted line, are to be inserted in a similar mode to Figure 25 E; and
in some cases where the cross sleepers are placed very closely together,
it may be difficult to drive the lateral wedges; in such cases I cut the
grooves for the rails of the exact width of the rail, or of the rib and
joint plate, when in the joint sleepers, forcing them tightly in, and
securing them by a dog or screw. Figure 25 G, shews this arrange-
ment; A, the sleeper; B, the rail; C, the holding down dog; d, the
joint plate, with a lateral rib entering a corresponding groove in the
rail. And the vertical rib of the rail may be rolled, slightly tapering,
to force tightly into the groove of the sleeper, in which case it may
serve without a dog, or an iron or wood key may be driven in the side
channel, as shewn at Figure 25 H, where A, is the sleeper; B, the rail;
C, the dog; and d, the key. And this mode of keying may be used
also with girder rails applied in cast iron sleepers, such as Figures 25,
and 25 A. And as a substitute for and in addition to the joint plates
shewn at Figures 25 E, & 25 F, a bolt with an elongated head fitting
in the channel under the upper table of the rail, and with a long key or
cotter in a slot of the bolt in the opposite channel of the rail, may be ap-
plied, as shewn by the dotted lines m, at Figure 25 H, passing between
the rail ends to keep them together. And these kind of girder rails here-
in-before described will be well adapted to lay down in streets and roads,
the upper surface being flush with the surface of the road, so that rails
may be used thereon without impeding ordinary traffic. And although
in many of the diagram Figures illustrating the application of timber or
metal brackets I have shewn the ordinary double headed rail, I do not
confine myself to that form, but use rails also with flattened bottoms,
such as Figures 26, and 27, or as 27 A, Sheet III., with bolt holes
through the vertical ribs, or similar forms well known; but I prefer
generally a large bearing surface where the rail is supported on the
lower table, though the support of the rail as near as possible to
the upper table is also desirable, for which purpose the girder rails
with a low top and deep rib below the bearing surface are best adapted;
and rails supported above by the top tables do not require so thick a
vertical rib as rails do that are supported on the lower table. Figure 28,
shews a sectional form, which I consider desirable for suspension;

page_text: bolted between bracket, blocks, the joint plates being shown in the
channels, ther weight of the rail being only, about fifty pounds
per yard, with the hole. through rail and plates. Figure 29, shews
M..
Figure 30, is a rail
a similar rail of about sixty-eight pounds per yard.
about fifty pounds to the yard, similar to Figure:27. A, but with a
side channel rolled in the vertical web, and a joint plate-b, with
a. corresponding rib, which is about three and a half inches in depth, to
give strength. Figure 31, is a girder rail corresponding to that at
Figure 25 H; with a side, channel in the vertical web to take a joint
plate or lateral wedge in a. cross sleeper groove; or on, a cast iron
sleeper; about fifty pounds per yard. Figure 32, is a similar rail, with
a lateral rib at the bottom of the web to, key into a cross sleeper or a
cast, iron, sleeper.A joint plate.b, to key into a cross sleeper, is also
shewn, but is not needed in the cast iron sleeper. Figure 33, is a deep
girder rail with narrow bearing flanges, and a side-channel to key into
a cast iron sleeper A; shewn at Figure 33:A, similar to Figure 25, and
not requiring joint plates; the weight is sixty-five to seventy pounds per
yard. b, is the key arranged to force the rail downwards and hold it
firm. A tic bar, as before described at Figure 11; is used to connect
the opposite sleepers together. And as it is desirable that in the appli-
cation of rails or transverse or longitudinal sleepers, as herein-before
described, the timber blocks and brackets, and also the holes and
grooves therein, and the grooves and holes in the sleepers, should be
accurately cut and bored, I prefer to do it by machinery, as explained
by Figures 34, and 345A. A-revolving horizontal, shaft A, supported
in bearings B, B, on a frame C, C, is put in motion by a band or belt
round the drum. D; which is fixed to the shaft in two halves.. On. the
shaft at either end are fixed by screw nuts a, a, a pair of circular
cutters which revolve with it. The cutters are cast iron disks H, H,
with a series of notches round them, in which are fixed by proper screws
a series of steel blades.J, J, in the manner of plane irons, the edges of
the blades being formed to the profile of any required section of rail.
These blades are made to project at the required distance beyond the
disks, and, slide forwards or back in slots for the screws, with keys at
their back edges to regulate them. At the outside of the cutters are

page_text: placed a pair of circular saws K, K, to make clean cuts at the edges
and, if preferred, the cutters or disks may be in one or more thicknesses,
with circular saws between, or a series of circular saws without cutters
may be used. The cutters are adjusted to the required guage, which
may be varied by collars on the shaft, and secured by the nuts a, a, at
the ends. The centre of the shaft at either end may be bored with a
cylindrical or conical hole to take boring bits or augers, as L. On the
top edges of the frame C, C, are placed two bars of iron with a V rib
R., R, and on these bars slides a table F, with corresponding grooves.
This table may be moved by hand or by a chain in the mode of the
ordinary planing table known to engineers. On the table F, are placed
two longitudinal timbers N, N, the thickness of which is regulated to
the depth of cut required in the sleepers G, which are held down by
the screw I, or by any available means. The cutters should revolve.at
the rate of about one thousand revolutions per minute, and the sleepers
G,,should advance at the rate of about twelve inches per minute; six
or cight may be placed on the table, according to the length of the
movement, and the cutters will make the surfaces for the rails accurate
and true one to the other; and for the purpose of cutting the blocks.or
brackets, or longitudinal timbers another top may be placed on the.
frame C,.C, so as to convert it into an ordinary circular saw or cutting
bench with parallel guides, and the saws and cutters suited accordingly.
And, for the purpose of boring, a table shewn by the dotted lines at M,
is placed beneath the borer L, on which to place and guage.the pieces.
to be bored. Figure 34 A, shews the face of one of the cutters with
one of the circular saws removed; and instead of the revolving shaft
being adjusted to the frame with the cutters outside, it may be adjusted.
to a pair of upright standards with the cutters between the standards,
which must be sufficiently wide apart for the length of the sleepers to
pass between them, and in. such case the, cutters and shaft may be.
made to rise and fall on the standards to adjust the depth of cut, the
sliding table being placed between them to move longitudinally...
.:
Having now described my said Invention, I wish it to be distinctly.
understood that what I claim as original is, first, the construction and
application of lateral or side brackets of timber, or, metal, or other

page_text: material, to rails, such as may be commonly used with chairs by bolts
and nuts, or rivets, or spikes, or bolts, with keys and cotters piercing
the vertical web of such rails, the vertical side of the bracket being in
close contact with the rail, and the lower side bearing on the sleeper,
either of timber, metal, or other material, the rail also bearing on
the sleeper at the level of the brackets, or passing below the brackets
into a groove of the sleeper, and the rail being secured to the
sleeper by spikes, or bolts, or trenails driven vertically or diagonally
through the brackets into the sleeper as herein-before described and
illustrated by Figures 1, 1 A, 2, 2 A, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
12 A, 13, 13 A, 14, 14 A, 15, 15 A, 26, 27, 27 A, 28, 29, and 30,
in order to lower the total height of the rail on the sleeper, or better
secure the guage of way, or both purposes combined. Secondly, I
claim the construction and application to rails, on sleepers of timber,
metal, or other material, of. side brackets of timber, metal, or other
material, not bolted or fastened to the rails, as stated in my first claim
herein, but pressed against the rail and secured upon or in a groove of
the sleeper by bolts, or spikes, or trenails, as herein-before described
and illustrated at Figures 1 B, 2 B, 6, and 6 A, the rail being grooved
into the sleeper, or the rail and brackets being all grooved into the
sleeper in order to lower the total height of the rail above the sleeper, or
better secure the guage of way, or both purposes combined. Thirdly,
I claim the application of deep double headed rails, with longitudinal
timbers, bolted in the side channels through the vertical web, and with
the lower table of the rails grooved into cross sleepers, or bearing on cross
sleepers, the longitudinals being bolted, or spiked, or trenailed thereto,
in order to obtain great vertical strength, as herein-before described
and illustrated by Figures 16, 17, and 19. Fourthly, I claim the
construction and application of the brackets of timber or metal, or
both combined, in combination with joint plates to secure the joints of
rails by increasing their length beyond that of the intermediates, as
herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 12, 12 A, 13, 13 A,
14, 14 A, 15, 15 A, 18, 18 A, 19, 23 B, 23 C, and 23 D; also the
application of longitudinal joint timbers bolted together beneath the
rails, as herein-before described aud illustrated by Figure 23 E.

page_text: Fifthly, I claim the construction and application of chairs with sunk
central steps for the purpose of lowering the rail, as herein-before
described and illustrated by Figures 21, 21 A, 22, 22 A, and 25 B;
shewing at 22, and 22 A, two half. chairs bolted together through the
rail, and also the construction and application of half chairs bolted
beneath the rails to secure the joints of bridge rails, as herein-before
described and illustrated by Figures 23, and 23 A. Sixthly, I claim
the construction and application of rails with their tables formed of
separate parts, as herein-before described and illustrated by Figure 20;
also the construction and application of the peculiar rails, with holes
pierced through the web, for the purpose of bolting side brackets
thereto, or longitudinal timbers, as herein-before described and illus-
trated by Figures 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, Seventhly, I claim the
construction and application of girder rails for the purpose of lowering
the rail on the sleeper, and better securing the guage of way, as
herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 24, and 24 A, 25,
and 25 A, 25 B, 25 C, and 25 D; also the construction and appli-
cation of girder rails, herein-before described and illustrated by Figures
25 E, 25 F, 25 G, 25 H, 31, 32, 33, and 33 A, securing them with
bracket blocks, or in deep grooves of cross sleepers, and holding them
thereon by dogs, or spikes, or bolts, or trenails, or similar means, or
forcing them into a tight fitting groove, the lower web of the rail being
of a slightly wedging form, or securing them by lateral wedges, as illus-
trated by Figure 25 E. And I wish it to be understood that I do not
claim the securing of ordinary double flange or double T rails in timber
cross sleepers by wedges and keys without chairs or trenails, but only
my girder rails herein-before described, as shewn at Figure 25 E.
And I claim also the construction and application of joint plates to the
girder rails, herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 24,
24 A, 25 E, 25 F, 25 G, and b, b, b, Figures 30, 31, and 32; also the
construction and application of the cast iron sleepers and tie bars
herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 11, 12, 12 A, 25,
25 A, 25 C, 25 D, and 33 A. Eighthly, I claim the construction and
application of machines especially adapted for the cutting and boring
bracket blocks and longitudinal timbers, and for grooving cross sleepers,
B

page_text: for the various herein-before described modes of laying permanent way,
as herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 34, and 34 A.
In witness whereof,. I, the said William Bridges Adams, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of August, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
WILLIAM BRIDGES ADAMS. (L.S.).