IMPROVEMENTS IN PERMANENT WAY
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PERMANENT WAY." A communication from abroad by Auguste de Wieczflinski-
Serres, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
Sealed the 21st August 1877, and dated the 9th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th March 1877.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PERMANENT WAY." A communication from abroad
by Auguste de Wieczffinski-Serres, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to a new system of compound rail, and the application of
the same to the construction of railways formed wholly of metal.
The Invention is based essentially on the union by interlocking of two twin
pieces, termed longitudinal flanges or sleepers, and one or more transverse pieces
acting as chairs, the one being passed through or over the other and then turned
round, after which the whole is completed and secured by simply placing in position
the rail proper provided with a head forming the working surface. This principle of
construction may be applied in various ways.
According to one mode of carrying out this Invention compound rails are
employed, each composed of a head and web in one piece, which constitute the rail
proper, and two longitudinal flanges with webs, which are placed one on each side
of the web first mentioned, and when united form a longitudinal sleeper supporting
the rail proper.
The union of the three parts which form the compound rail is effected by means
of a connecting bar or chair, consisting, according to one modification, of a vertical
web with three flanges, which is placed transversely to the two longitudinal flanges
or sleeper, the two lower flanges and lower portion of the web of the connecting
bar or chair passing through the longitudinal flanges, whilst the upper flange and
upper portion of the web is recessed or cut away, so as to form a socket to embrace
the webs of the longitudinal flanges at their upper part.
The shape of the longitudinal flanges may be varied, provided that they are so
constructed as to consist of three portions, one of which acts as a base, another being

page_text: cut out in such a maner as to form a hole allowing the chair to be passed through
readily, and a third portion, which with the corresponding part of the corresponding
flange facing the same, forms a socket for the reception of the web of the rail
proper.
The chair may also be constructed of various forms in cross section. For example,
it may be made of a E, E, T, H, U, L, T, Z, or of any other shape adapted to the
purpose.
The hole in the longitudinal flanges is made sufficiently long to admit of its sides
passing over the whole depth of the chair, the flanges being subsequently turned
round and the rail inserted in its place, thereby securing the whole in position. Or
a similar result may be obtained by turning the chairs upon an axis at right angles
to the direction of the length of the rail. In this case it will be necessary to secure
the chair with an auxiliary piece, which prevents the rotation from taking place in
the opposite direction, the said auxiliary piece being provided with a small notch
for the reception of the lower edge of the web of the rail. In this arrangement the
longitudinal flanges or .sleepers are placed at once in position according to the
required angle, the filling-in piece being secured by the introduction of the rail, the
lower edge of which is lodged in the notch formed in the said filling-in piece. Or
the filling-in piece may be dispensed with by forming the opening in the chair with
a web, which prevents the rotation.
In applying this Invention to the construction of a line of railway, the two rails
composing the line or permanent way are supported upon the longitudinal sleepers
formed by the longitudinal flanges, which are united at given intervals by the
chairs, whilst at suitable distances apart there are provided transverse bars or
sleepers, which are formed by the simple union of two of the chairs, or by the pro-
longation of the chairs themselves.
The twin longitudinal pieces are by preference connected together in such a
manner as to break joint; they then overlap one another in such a manner as to
render the employment of fishes or any other longitudinal connection unnecessary.
The joints of the rail proper may be situate at any point of the longitudinal
sleepers, and it may be found advantageous to arrange them in such a manner as to
place the point of junction of one pair of rails opposite the centre of the corre-
sponding rail on the opposite side of the line, thereby obtaining an alternation
calculated to deaden the shocks, both as regards the permanent way and the rolling
stock.
In order to control the movements due to the expansion, and to equalize to a
certain extent the flexure of the rails proper and the longitudinal flanges, and also
diminish the liability of the accidental or improper removal of the rail head, the
three parts, vizt, the two longitudinal parts constituting the sleeper and the web of
the rail, may be further connected by a pin (doubled or bent so as to have a spring
action or otherwise) passing through a circular hole formed in the web of the rail,
and elongated holes provided in the webs of the flanges or sleepers.
The rail proper may be constructed of any suitable section, and adapted for use
on railways where racks are required.
The Invention is applicable to permanent way generally, whether that of ordinary
railways or of street railways or tramways, such modifications being made as the
particular purpose to which it is to be applied may render necessary.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th September 1877.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PERMANENT WAY." A communication from abroad
by Auguste de Wicczflinski-Serres, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
5

page_text: The said Invention relates to a new system of compound rail, and the applica-
tion of the same to the construction of railways formed wholly of metal, its object
being to enable metal ways for ordinary railways or tramways of every description
and of any guage, and provided with racks or otherwise, to be constructed in an
economical, ready, and efficient manner.
By means of the said Invention the following advantages (among others) are
obtained, videlicet:-
Dispensing almost entirely with small fittings, such, for example, as bolts, rivets,
keys, wedges, and the like.
Reducing to a minimum the number of parts and pieces of special section necessary
for the construction of the permanent way.
Simplifying the work of laying the rails, which may be effected without special
appliances, and without the necessity for subsequent adjustment.
Obviating the necessity for regulating or measuring the parts when placing the
same in position.
The same devices for holding the rails together may be used indifferently on
straight or on curved lines, the transverse pieces alone being slightly modified in
the latter case according to the curves.
A considerable economy is effected in the maintenance of the way in consequence
of the small number of parts employed, the relative situation of which is permanent,
and occasions no necessity for adjustment.
The lateral stability and rigidity of the way is considerably increased by reason
of the shape of the longitudinal supports or sleepers.
A large saving is effected in the quantity of ballast required, the quality of which
is immaterial.
The said Invention is based essentially on the union by interlocking of two twin
pieces, termed the longitudinal flanges or sleeper, and one or more transverse pieces
acting as chairs, the one being passed through or over the other and then turned
round, after which the whole is completed and secured by simply placing in position
the rail proper provided with a head forming the working surface. This principle of
construction is capable of being applied in various ways.
The Figures on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, to which I shall now pro-
ceed to refer, illustrate by way of example modifications which are considered
suitable in practice.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of the Drawings represents a transverse section taken one half along the
line 1, 2, and the other half along the line 3, 4, Figure 2, of the rail and longitudinal
flange or sleeper, showing the chair in elevation; and Figure 2 is a corresponding
side sectional view of the same.
Figures 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are details of the several parts of which the way is
constructed.
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 illustrate different modifications of the same.
And Figure 5, which is drawn to a smaller scale, is a plan illustrating the general
arrangement of the improved permanent way constructed according to the said
Invention.
The compound rail is composed of a single-headed rail a and two longitudinal
flanges b, 6, which when united form a longitudinal sleeper supporting the rail
proper a.
The union of the three pieces a, b, b¹, which form the compound rail, is effected
by means of a special connecting piece c, designated a chair, which is placed trans-
versely to the two longitudinal flanges b, b¹, and embraces them at their upper part.
In order to enable the chair c to be placed across the longitudinal flanges b, b¹,
the latter are provided at their central part with openings d, which may be of
various shapes, and the dimensions of which are slightly in excess of the height of
the chair c.
Figures 6 and 7 represent in section and elevation respectively a portion of one
of the longitudinal flanges b detached, the opening d made between the two parts

page_text: e and f of the said flange in order to admit of the passage of the chair c when these
parts are in a suitable position being clearly shewn in those Figures.
Figures 8 and 9 represent in section and elevation respectively a portion of one
of the chairs c detached. The chair is provided at its upper part with a recess or
opening g for the reception of the upper portions e of the longitudinal flanges b, b₁,.
which, after the chair has been passed through the holes d, are allowed to drop
into the said opening g in such a manner that it suffices to introduce the web h of
the rail a between the two upper portions e of the horizontal flanges b, b¹ in order
to unite the whole, and form the compound rail represented in Figures 1 and 2.
It will be obvious that the longitudinal flanges b, b', forming the sleeper may be
constructed of various shapes.
Figure 10 illustrates a series of seven different forms, any one of which may be
employed, the essential point in the manufacture of such longitudinal flanges being
that the section of the same consists of three portions, videlicet, one f which acts as
a base, another f¹ which is cut out so as to form an aperture d to admit of the
chair c being readily passed through, and a third portion e, which, with the corre-
sponding part of the flange facing the same, forms a socket for the reception of the
web h of the rail proper a.
The chair c may also be cast or rolled of various forms in cross section, six modi-
fications of which are shown in Figure 11; other variations may however be made,
as, for example, it may be of E, I, T, H, U, L, T, Z section, or of any other shape
adapted to the purpose.
The rail proper may also be constructed of any convenient shape, according to the
purpose for which it is intended, and according as it is required for ordinary rail-
ways or railways with a rack or otherwise.
In lieu of arranging the parts in the manner herein-before described, so that the
longitudinal flanges have to be turned round after they have been passed over the
chair, a compound rail of an analogous description may be formed by an arrange-
ment in which the chairs c are turned upon an imaginary axis at right angles to
the direction of the length of the rail. In this case it will be necessary to secure
the chair with an auxiliary filling-in piece, which maintains it in its place, that is
to say, prevents any retrograde movement. Figures 12 and 13 are respectively
transverse and longitudinal sectional views illustrating this arrangement.
Figure 14 is a detail of the auxiliary piece marked a, which is provided with a
small notch x¹ for the reception of the lower edge of the web h of the rail a. In this
arrangement the longitudinal flanges or sloepers are placed at once in their normal
position at a suitable angle, and the chair is passed through apertures formed
therein, and turned round so as to assume its required upright position, as shewn;
the filling-in piece is then inserted, and finally secured by the introduction of the
raila, the lower edge of the web h of which is lodged in the notch e² formed in the
said filling-in piece.
The employment of a special filling-in picce may be dispensed with by forming
the recess or opening in the chair c with an additional web or projection, which
prevents any rotation or retrograde movement.
The mode of applying this system of compound rail in the construction of lines of
railway wholly formed of metal will be readily understood from the example,
Figure 5, which represents a general plan of a portion of a line of railway formed
with compound rails constructed according to the said Invention.
The two rails composing the line are supported upon longitudinal sleepers formed
by the longitudinal flanges b, b', which are united at given intervals by chairs c,
whilst at suitable distances apart there are provided transverse tie bars y, which
are formed by simply uniting two of the chairs, or by the prolongation of the chairs
themselves.
The twin longitudinal flanges or sleepers are by preference connected in such a
minuner as to break joint; they then overlap one another, and the use of fishes or
other longitudinal connection is rendered unnecessary.
The joints of the rail proper may be situate at any point of the longitudinal

page_text: sleepers, and it may be found advantageous to arrange them in such a manner that
the point of junction of one pair of rails will be brought opposite to the contre of the
corresponding rail on the opposite side of the line, thereby obtaining an alternation
well calculated to deaden the shocks to the permanent way and the rolling stock.
The transverse tio bars are distributed in such a manner that one of them is near
cach joint of the longitudinal flanges, and it is desirable that two of these transverse
tic bars should be provided for each longitudinal flange.
In order to control the movements due to expansion, and to equalize to a certain
extent the flexure of the rails proper and the longitudinal flanges or sleepers, and
also diminish the liability of the accidental or improper removal of the rail head u,
the three parts, videlicet, the two longitudinal flanges b, bl, constituting the sleeper,
and the web h of the rail a, may be further connected by a pin m, see Figures 3
and 4, passing through a circular hole formed in the web of the rail, and elongated
holes provided in the upper part of the flanges or sleepers.
The rail proper, which consists, as shown in the Drawing, of a head a and a
web h, may be made of wrought or cast iron, steel, or any other suitable metal, and
may be rolled with the inclination adapted to the requirements of the traffic.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
rocited Letters Patent is,-.
First. A compound rail formed by the union by simple insertion and rotation of
two twin picces or flanges constituting a longitudinal sleeper or support, and one or
more pieces serving as chairs introduced transversely to the longitudinal pieces, the
whole being completed and firmly secured by the act of placing in position the rail
proper, which is provided with a head forming the working surface, substantially as
herein-before described.
Second. The peculiar arrangement of compound rail formed by means of four pieces
interlocked one with the other, substantially as herein-beforo described and illus-
trated by Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The peculiar arrangement of compound rail consisting of five pieces con-
nected together, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by Figures
12, 13, and 14 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The general arrangement and combination of parts forming a permanent
way made wholly of metal, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated
by Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. The employment in the construction of the longitudinal sleepers of twin
flanges, each of which is arranged in such a manner that one part at the bottom
forms a base, another part at the top serves to constitute the socket for the reception
of the rail proper, whilst a third part, intermediate between the two others, is per-
forated to admit of the insertion of the part or parts serving to unite the whole,
substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of August, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (LS.)