IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAM CARS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Charles Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th March 1877.
JOHN CHARLES WILSON, of No. 8, Grove Park, Redland, in the City of Bristol.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAM CARS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in tram cars to be propelled by
steam or other power. For this purpose the main body of the car in and on which
the passengers are to be seated is formed somewhat in the same manner as an
ordinary street omnibus, but in place of having a front pair of wheels swivelling
around a pin as when the omnibus is drawn by horses, the end of the car is made to
rest upon a truck which is free to swivel on this pin. The truck rests upon four
wheels, and extends beyond the end of the car. On the portion which extends
beyond the end of the car is erected a steam engine with boiler and house, corre-
sponding in outward appearance to the main body of the car. The wheels of the
truck are by preference coupled, and are driven by the engine. The truck being
free to swivel round, the car is able to pass round sharp curves. Inclined planes or
springs may be used to facilitate the return of the car and truck to a central
position.
By the means above described an ordinary omnibus can readily be converted into
a steam tram car without any alteration whatever of the body of the omnibus, as it
is only necessary to remove the front pair of wheels with their locking carriage,
and to put in their stead the engine truck. An omnibus company can therefore
retain its old stock and use it on tram rails. It is also equally easy to convert one
of the horse tram cars into a steam tram car whenever desired, as to do this all that
is necessary is to remove one pair of wheels and put an engine truck with its two
pairs of wheels under the body of the car to work on a swivelling pin; or, vice

page_text: versa, the steam tram car can readily be converted into a horse tram car or
omnibus.
T
nie 10 athan mation Aiman ha usod
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Charles Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
September 1877.
JOHN CHARLES WILSON, of No. 8, Grove Park, Redland, in the City of Bristol.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAM CARS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in tram cars to be propelled by
steam or other power. For this purpose the main body of the car in and on which
the passengers are to be seated is formed somewhat in the same manner as an
ordinary street omnibus, but in place of having a front pair of wheels swivelling
around a pin as when the omnibus is drawn by horses, the end of the car is made to
rest upon a. truck which is free to swivel on this pin. The truck rests upon four
wheels, and extends beyond the end of the car. On the portion which extends
beyond the end of the car is erected a steam engine with boiler and house, corre-
sponding in outward appearance to the main body of the car. The wheels of the
truck are by preference coupled, and are driven by the engine. The truck being
free to swivel round, the car is able to pass round sharp curves. Inclined planes or
springs may be used to facilitate the return of the car and truck to a central
position.
By the means above described an ordinary omnibus can readily be converted into
a steam tram car without any alteration whatever of the body of the omnibus, as it is
only necessary to remove the front pair of wheels with their locking carriage, and
to put in their stead the engine truck. An omnibus company can therefore retain
its old stock and use it on tram rails. It is also equally easy to convert one of
the horse tram cars into a steam tram car whenever desired, as to do this all that
is necessary is to remove one pair of wheels and put an engine truck with its two
pairs of wheels under the body of the car to work on a swivelling pin; or, vice.
versa, the steam tram car can readily be converted into a horse tram car or
omnibus.
In place of using steam, air or other motive-power engines may be used.
The Drawing annexed shows a tram car arranged as above described.
Figure 1 is a side view of the car, and Figure 2 a plan in section of part of the
same, the car in this Figure being shown as passing around a sharp curve.
A is the engine, part of which is removeable, and which is in connection with the
main body of the car B at the point C, which may also be the centre of the locking
carriage when the car is to be drawn by horses. The engine has two pairs of
wheels D, D, which are coupled and which are driven by a pair of cylinders E, E,
in the usual way. The cylinders in this case are placed outside the frames F, F,
but they might also be placed inside the frames, when there would be a crank axle.
instead of a straight axle for the driving pair of wheels. The boiler is placed above
the framing and inside a house built upon the framing. This house, which is con-
structed of the same kinds of material, and ornamented in the same way as tho
passenger car, constitutes the shelter for the driver and stoker, and can move in
curves round the centre C according as the curvature of the line might guide the
wheels. The result of such movement on a curve is shown by the plan. Over the
engine and the main body of the tram car there is an awning G to protect the
passengers on the roof from rain and the heat of the sun, and also from the gases
issuing from the chimney H. The chimney passes through a curved opening I in
the awning, this opening being long enough to allow for the swivelling of the
chimney.

page_text: Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of porforming
the same, I would have it understood that I claim the construction of tram cars,
substantially in the manner herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Charles Wilson, havo hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JOHN C. WILSON. (LS)