IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Dunn, of Pendleton, near Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and William Watts junior,
of Miles Platting, near Manchester aforesaid, Assistant Engineer,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
RAILWAYS."
Sealed the 7th February 1853, and dated the 9th November 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Dunn and
William Watts at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 9th November 1852.
We, THOMAS DUNN, of "Pendleton, and WILLIAM WATTS junior, of
Miles Platting, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS" to be as follows:--
First, in constructing railway sleepers with drain pipes, for the
pose of carrying away the moisture, and to keep the ballast under and
around the sleepers dry; these drain pipes are either cast with the
sleepers or afterwards attached to them, as may be found convenient.
pur-
Secondly, in the construction of cast metal sleepers of a curved form,
to equalize the contraction of the metal, and to diminish the rigidity of
the bearing.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Dunn and William Watts in the Great
Seal Patent Office, on the 9th May 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we,
THOMAS DUNN, of Pendleton, near Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, and WILLIAM WATTS junior, of Miles Platting,
near Manchester aforesaid, Assistant Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors.
give and grant unto us, the said Thomas Dunn and William Watts
junior, Her special licence that we, the said Thomas Dunn and
William Watts junior, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said Thomas Dunn and William Watts junior,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said Thomas Dunn and William Watts
junior, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or
under the hand and seal of one of us, 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 we, the said Thomas Dunn and William
Watts junior, do hereby declare the nature of our 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):
Our Invention consists, first, in constructing railway sleepers with
holes or with pipes through which the wet and moisture from the sur-

page_text: rounding ballast is carried off, thereby keeping the ballast in a fit state
for supporting the sleepers and diminishing of cost of maintaining the
permanent way of railways. And, secondly, in constructing cast iron
sleepers of certain improved forms, so that the contraction of the metal
shall be equally distributed, and that the sleeper when laid on the ballast
shall be less rigid than the cast metal sleepers generally used. And in
order that our Invention may be fully understood, and readily carried
into effect, we will proceed to describe the means pursued by us, refe-
rence being had to the annexed Shoet of Drawings, and to the letters
rounding ballast is carried off, thereby keeping the ballast in a fit state
for supporting the sleepers and diminishing of cost of maintaining the
permanent way of railways. And, secondly, in constructing cast iron
sleepers of certain improved forms, so that the contraction of the metal
shall be equally distributed, and that the sleeper when laid on the ballast
shall be less rigid than the cast metal sleepers generally used. And in
order that our Invention may be fully understood, and readily carried
into effect, we will proceed to describe the means pursued by us, refe-
rence being had to the annexed Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters
aud ngures marked thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, represents a section of one of our improved sleepers with
chair cast on it. Figure 2, is a side elevation of the same. In these
views the upper portion of the sleeper is supposed to be circular; and to
the centre is cast an inverted cone a, pierced with small holes to admit
the moisture in the ballast to drain through. The lower end of the cone
is open, and to it is fitted the nozzle of the drain pipe b, which is also
pierced with small holes to admit the moisture from the ballast. The
drain pipe is conveyed into a gutter or side drain running between or
alongside the lines of rails. These improved sleepers are intended to be
placed about three feet asunder, from centre to centre, in the same way
as some of the cast iron sleepers now known and in use; and the distance
between the rails is maintained uniform in the ordinary manner by tic
rods c. Figure 3, represents a side view of one of our improved double
sleepers suitable for supporting the joint of two rails; the chair is long
enough to have firm hold of the end of each of the rails, and it is fur-
nished with two inverted cones for draining the ballast. Figure 4, is a
side view of one of our improved sleepers with two chairs cast upon it;
in this case the inverted cone is much shorter than in those previously
described, as it is intended for ballast requiring less draining than those
before described. Figure 5, represents an improved cast iron drain
sleeper, furnished with a midfeather d, on each side of which is bolted
a piece of timber e, forming longitudinal supports for the chairs, which
are cast in the usual manner. This sleeper is particularly adapted for
Figure 1, represents a section of one of our improved sleepers with
chair cast on it. Figure 2, is a side elevation of the same. In these
views the upper portion of the sleeper is supposed to be circular; and to
the centre is cast an inverted cone a, pierced with small holes to admit
the moisture in the ballast to drain through. The lower end of the cone
is open, and to it is fitted the nozzle of the drain pipe b, which is also
pierced with small holes to admit the moisture from the ballast. The
drain pipe is conveyed into a gutter or side drain running between or
alongside the lines of rails. These improved sleepers are intended to be
placed about three feet asunder, from centre to centre, in the same way
as some of the cast iron sleepers now known and in use; and the distance
between the rails is maintained uniform in the ordinary manner by tic
rods c. Figure 3, represents a side view of one of our improved double
sleepers suitable for supporting the joint of two rails; the chair is long
enough to have firm hold of the end of each of the rails, and it is fur-
nished with two inverted cones for draining the ballast. Figure 4, is a
side view of one of our improved sleepers with two chairs cast upon it;
in this case the inverted cone is much shorter than in those previously
described, as it is intended for ballast requiring less draining than those
before described. Figure 5, represents an improved cast iron drain
sleeper, furnished with a midfeather d, on each side of which is bolted
a piece of timber e, forming longitudinal supports for the chairs, which
are cast in the usual manner. This sleeper is particularly adapted for

page_text: marshy ground, as the inverted cone is furnished with a screw, by which
the sleeper takes firm hold of the ground. Figure 6, is another improved
cast iron sleeper, very similar to the one marked Figure 5; in this
instance the draining takes place at the centre of the sleeper, and through
the drain pipe b. Figure 7, is another of our improved joint sleepers;
in this instance only one of the inverted cones is employed for draining
the ballast. Figure 8, represents a section of two bridge rails bolted
together by their flanges, and connected so as to preserve the proper
gauge by the ordinary tie rods c; the sides of the bridge rails are
pierced with holes to admit the moisture from the ballast which enters
into the channel formed by the hollow part of the lower bridge rail, and
answers the purpose of a drain; it will be evident that when the upper
rail is worn, the one that was below can be brought above and used
instead of the one that was worn. By making the flanges f, sufficiently
broad, the use of sleepers may be entirely dispensed with. Figure 9, is
a section of a double rail, very similar to Figure 8; but in this instance
we purpose placing a plank between the flanges of the rails; the object
of this plank is to give greater support to the rails. In Figures 10, and
11, are shewn two improved modes of constructing drain sleepers; the
rails are supported by and attached to longitudinal plates g, and h, the
centre portion of which form gutters for the moisture of the ballast to
drain into. Figure 12, represents an improved sleeper formed of a
corrugated plate of sheet iron running the whole length of the rail, or
made in short lengths if preferred. Figure 13, represents an improved
sleeper, formed of a square or oblong plate of wrought or cast iron.
Figure 14, represents a section of a transverse wood sleeper, to which is
attached a sheet or cast metal trough i, for draining the ballast, the
trough i, being in communication with the main gutters between or
alongside the lines of rails. Figure 15, is a section of a longitudinal
wood sleeper, the interior of which is hollow to answer the purpose of
a drain; holes are drilled through the sleeper at suitable intervals to
admit the water into the centre of the sleeper. Figure 16, is a section
of a transverse wood sleeper, the lower edge of which is cut off to
leave space for the drain water between the bottom of the sleeper and
the bottom of the cast iron trough j; the sleepers are kept some

page_text: distance from the sides of the trough by the wood pieces 1. Figures
17, and 18, represent two other modifications of our improved
transverse wood sleepers; in these cases the drain pipes 7, and m,
are attached to the undersides of the wood sleepers. Figure 19, is a
section of one of our improved cast metal drain sleepers; in this
instance the moisture escapes through the opening m'; this sleeper is
of a curved form, to prevent the injurious effects of the unequal
contraction of the metal. In Figures 20, and 21, wo have shewn a
section and elevation of a cast metal longitudinal drain sleeper; the
water from the ballast enters the sleeper through the holes made in its
sides, and this water is conveyed to the gutters by the pipe 6; these
longitudinal sleepers are bolted together end to end by the flanges
shewn in Figure 21, and the chairs are cast on the sleepers, or bolted
to them if found more convenient. Figures 22, and 23, represent a
section and elevation of another longitudinal cast metal drain sleeper;
in these views the ordinary bridge rail is supported throughout its
whole length by the flange connecting the double drain pipes n, which
are bolted together, as before described in reference to Figures 20,
and 21. In Figures 24, and 25, we have shewn our improved drain
sleepers, consisting of a transverse pipe o, cast with the plates o'; these
plates support the chairs, and bear upon the ballast. Figure 26,
represents a section of a drain sleeper, consisting of a cast metal
curved disk, the peculiar shape of which ensures a uniform contraction
in the metal and good support to the rail without rigidity.. To the
under side of the sleeper is cast a fork fitting on the drain pipe p, to
which it is keyed, as shewn in Figure 28. Figures 27, and 28,
represent two views of another modification of our improved drain
sleepers. In these views the sleeper is formed of an oblong cast
metal plate furnished with a fork fitting on the drain pipe, as before
described. Figures 29, and 30, represent a section and side elevation
of an improved joint chair and sleeper; in this case the rail is
supported by the two curved side plates 9; these side plates bear on
the corners of the bottom plate q', arid are connected to it by bolts q²;
by this means the rail is less rigid, than in the usual mode of
supporting them, and each part, of the chair and sleeper can be cast.

page_text: without injury from unequal contraction of the metal. Figures 31,
and 32, are sections of two other improved chairs and sleepers; the
part bearing on the ballast is in both cases circular and of curved
forms, in order to prevent the contraction of the metal in cooling from
weakening the parts. Figure 33, is a section of an improved drain
sleeper, which is intended to be about three feet long, but the length
may be varied according to circumstances. In this view the longi-
tudinal wood sleeper 1, is supported in the drain sleeper, and an ordi-
nary bridge rail is fixed on the wood sleeper. Figure 34, is a section of
another improved drain sleeper, very similar to Figure 33, but in this
instance the rail is supported in a chair of the ordinary construction
fixed on the longitudinal wood sleeper. Figure 35, is an elevation of
another improved drain sleeper to which the chair is cast; the sleeper
is formed of a series of tubes radiating from the centre. Figure 36, is
a section of an improved drain sleeper of a circular form furnished
with a small tube in the centre through which the moisture in the
ballast can drain off into a pipe similar to b, in Figure 1. Figures 37,
and 38, represent a section and elevation of another improved drain
sleeper, suitable for the joint of the rails. In these views there are
four curved tubes 8, pierced above with drain holes through which the
moisture is carried off. Figure 39, is a section of another improved
drain sleeper, the centre part of which forms the drain pipe into which
the moisture from the side pipes t, is conveyed. Figure 40, is a
section of a sleeper, combining the advantages of the improved curved
form shewn in Figure 32, with the drain pipes u. Figure 41, repre-
sents an improved drain sleeper for supporting a longitudinal wood
sleeper; in this case the drain sleeper consists of a transverse pipe u',
extending from one rail to the other, and furnished with flanges for the
wood sleeper to bear upon. Figure 42, is a drain sleeper supporting a
longitudinal wood sleeper.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, wo declare that we claim as of
our Invention, the application of drain pipes or other equivalent means
to railway sleepers, whereby the superabundant moisture of the ballast
is conveyed into the main drains, as herein-before shewn and

page_text: described; secondly, the improved modes of casting railway chairs
and sleepers herein-before shewn and described, whereby the injurious
effect of unequal contraction is diminished or avoided, and the sleepers
are rendered less rigid than in the ordinary modes of constructing
them; and, thirdly, the combination of any of the above described
sleepers.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Dunn and William
Watts junior, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Seventh day of May. One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
THOMAS DUNN. (L.S.)
W. WATTS, JUN". (L.S.)
THOMAS DUNN. (L.s.)
W. WATTS, JUN'. (L.S.)