A NEW OR IMPROVED SYSTEM OF RAIL OR TRAMWAY AND ROLLING STOCK FOR THE TRANSPORT OF AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER PRODUCE
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"A NEW OR IMPROVED SYSTEM OF RAIL OR TRAMWAY AND ROLLING STOCK
FOR THE TRANSPORT OF AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER PRODUCE."—A com-
munication from abroad by Henri Adolphe Corbin, of 13, Boulevart
St. Martin, Paris, Civil Engineer.
Sealed the 1st December 1871, and dated the 26th June 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville.
Olark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 26th June 1871.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED SYSTEM OF RAIL OR TRAMWAY AND ROLLING
STOCK FOR THE TRANSPORT OF AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER PRODUCE," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved system of transport for agri-
cultural and other produce comprising two distinct parts, viz., the carrier
and the rail or tramway on which it runs.

page_text: The rails or trams are connected and held rigidly apart by cross bars
in ladder like sections, which are laid and jointed end to end to form
the track. The rails can thus be laid down with great rapidity, and
will readily adapt themselves to the undulations of the ground.
In order to render the tramway both portable and economical and
prevent its being damaged or sunk into the ground by the weight of
the load to be transported the latter is distributed over the rails by
carriers of special construction. These consist of a train of trucks of
small size, constructed as herein-after described, to receive portable
baskets or other receptacles, so that a considerable load may be trans- ]
ported spread over a great length of rail (each truck being intended to
carry about one hundredweight only) and much time saved in loading
and unloading.
This system is applicable for the transport of all produce or goods
capable of being divided into small loads, and whether on roads or
otherwise.
I will first describe by reference to Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawings
´the construction of the tramway.
Figure 1 shows a plan and Figure 2 a transverse section of one of
The rails are
the lengths of the track taken on line 1-2, Figure 1.
made of wood with a strip F of iron on the top surface, on which the
wheels of the trucks travel, said strips being secured to the rails by
countersunk screws or nails, see Figures 1, 2, 4, and 6. Figures 3 and 4
show details in plan and transverse section on an enlarged scale of the
method of connecting the lengths of rail or tramway by means of a
wood pin A, B, passing through the holes made in the ends of the rails
which break joint with those of the next section, as shown, and have
sufficient play to enable the track to adapt itself to the surface of the
ground. This pin is made with a slightly tapering head to enable it
to be readily fixed.
Another mode of uniting the lengths of rail is shown in plan and
transverse section on line 5-6, at Figures '5 and 6. In this case a
shoe of plate iron M, N, O, P, bent into the form shown, 'is bolted
to the ends A, B, of the rails of each length in which the other ends
C, D, of the next length are inserted and secured by keys S, T, passing
through both the shòe and rail, It will thus be readily seen that
a tramway so constructed is very inexpensive, light, and easily
transported from one part of a field to another, for example.

page_text: I will next describe the construction of the trucks which are mounted.
on one pair of wheels and are connected together, as shown in Sheet 2 of
the Drawings. Figure 1 is a plan and Figure 2 a transverse section of
a truck taken on line 1-2, Figure 1, while Figure 8 is a longitudinal
section on line 3-4, Figure 1. Each truck (except the first one which
has four wheels) is mounted on two wheels R, R, placed at one end, the
other end being supported on the framing of the next truck. This
arrangement is loss expensive than if each truck were mounted on four
wheels and it also ensures a more perfect bearing of the trucks on the
rails, even should the latter be bent or subside. The axle A, B, is fixed
at one end of a wood framing M, N, Q, P, to which four iron uprights I,
H, L, K, are fixed, the whole forming a truck on which is placed
the receptacle or basket containing the produce or goods. A draw
bar E, F, is fixed longitudinally to the frame M, N, P, Q, projecting
at either end as shown, and the end F next the wheels has a-socket to
receive a 'pin G projecting from the end E of the next bar which rests
thereon, as shown; the several trucks being thus connected together
in a simple manner. Figure 1, Sheet 3, shows a section of a wheel
mounted on its axle. It is cast with a flange R, to prevent its leaving
the rails, and the hub is bored at A, B, to receive the axle and has a
space O to contain grease. A small groove is provided at E to receive
a packing to prevent the grease from escaping. The wheel is slipped
on its axle and held thereon by the rails and flange without other
fastening. The curved portions of the tramway Figure 3, Sheet 3
would be made also of wood faced with metal and united by keying
to the other portions as before. The shifting of the trucks from one
line to another is effected by means of small iron switches A. operated
by hand and disposed on specially constructed portions of the tramway,
see Figure 2 Sheet 3. A skid brake S Figure 4, may be used in
descending inclines, consisting of a block of wood to be interposed
between the rail and the wheels of the last truck, said block being
grooved to prevent its leaving the rails. These blocks may be applied
to several trucks if required. The trucks are readily disconnected, so
that the train may be divided and drawn in parts when the weight is
considerable.

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 23rd December 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
•
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark,
Her special licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
· Alexander 'Melville Clarke, 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, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED SYSTEM OF RAIL OR TRAMWAY
AND ROLLING STOCK FOR THE TRANSPORT OF AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER PRODUCE,”.
a communication to me from abroad by Henri Adolphe Corbin, of
13, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, Civil Engineer, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Molville Clark, my exe-
cutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 Alexander Melville Clark, 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, reference being had to the Sheet of
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :—

page_text: This Invention relates to an improved system of transport for agricul-
tural and other produce comprising two distinct parts, viz., the carrier
and the rail or tramway on which it runs.
The rails or trams are connected and held rigidly apart by cross bars
5 in ladder like sections, which are laid and jointed to form the track. The
rails can thus be laid down with great rapidity, and will readily adapt
themselves to the undulations of the ground. In order to render the
tramway both portable and economical, and prevent its being damaged
or sunk into the ground by the weight of the load to be transported, the
latter is distributed over the rails by carriers of special construction.
These consist of a train of trucks of small size constructed as herein-
after described, to receive portable baskets or other receptacles, so that
a considerable load may be transported, spread over a great length of
rail (each truck being intended to carry about one hundredweight only),
and much time saved in loading and unloading.
This system is applicable for the transport of all produce or goods
capable of being divided into small loads, and whether on roads or other-
wiso. I will describe by reference to the accompanying Drawings the
construction of the tramway.
Figure 1 shows a plan, and Figure 2 a transverse section of one of the
lengths of the track taken on line 1-2, Figure 1. The rails are made of
wood, with a strip F of iron on the top surface, on which the wheels of
the truck travel, said strips being secured to the rails by countersunk
screws or nails, see Figures 1, 2, 4, and 6.
Figures 3 and 4 show details in plan and transverse section on an
enlarged scale of the method of connecting the lengths of rail or tramway
by means of a wood pin A, B, passing through the holes made in the
onds of the rails, which are jointed to those of the next section, as
shown, and have sufficient play to enable the track to adapt itself to the
surface of the ground. This pin is made with a slightly tapering head
to enable it to be readily fixed.
Another mode of uniting the lengths of rail is shown in plan and
transverse section on line 5-6, at Figures 5 and 6. In this case a shoe
of plate iron M, N, O, P, bent into the form shown is bolted to the ends
A, B, of the rails of each length in which the other ends C, D, of tho
next length are inserted and secured by keys S, T, passing through both
the shoe and rail. It will thus be readily seen that a: tramway so

page_text: constructed is very inexpensive, light, and easily transported from onc
part of a field to another, for example.
I will next describe the construction of the trucks, which are mounted
on one pair of wheels, and are connected together, as shown in the
Drawings.
Figure 7 is a plan, and Figure 8 a transverse section of a truck taken
on line 1-2, Figure 7, while Figure 9 is a longitudinal section on line
3-4, Figure 7. Each truck (except the first one, which has four wheels)
is mounted on two wheels R, R, placed beneath one end, the other end
being supported on the framing of the next.truck. This arrangement is
less expensive than if each truck were mounted on four wheels, and it
also ensures a more equal bearing of the trucks on the rails, even should
the latter be bent or subside. The axle A, B, is fixed at one end of a
wood framing M, N, Q, P, to which four iron uprights I, H, L, K, are
fixed, the whole forming a truck, on which is placed the receptacle or :
basket containing the produce or goods. A. draw bar E, F, is fixed
longitudinally to the frame M, N, P, Q, projecting at either end as
shown, and the end F next the wheels has a socket to receive a pin G
projecting from the end E of the next bar, which rests thereon, as
shown, the several trucks being thus connected together in a simple
manner.
Figure 10 shows a section of a wheel mounted on its axle; it is cast
with a flange R to prevent its leaving the rails, and the hub is bored at
A, B, to receive the axle, and has a space C to contain grease. A small
groove is provided at E to receive a packing to prevent the grease from
escaping. The wheel is slipped on its axle, and held thereon by the
rails and flange without other fastening.
The curved portions of the tramway, Figure 12, would be made also
of wood faced with metal, and united by keying to the other portions, as
before.
The shifting of the trucks from one line to another is effected by
means of small iron switches, operated by hand and disposed on specially
constructed portions of the tramway.
The shifting of the trucks may also be effected without the aid of
switches in the manner shown in Figure 11, by simply removing the
connecting pins at one end and swinging the section of rail or tramway

page_text: into an inclined position so as to connect with the other line, where it is
fixed by means of pins, as before.
A skid S, Figure 13, may be used in descending inclines consisting
of a block of wood to be interposed between the rail and the wheels of
the last truck, said block being grooved to prevent its leaving the rails.
These blocks may be applied to several trucks, if required, or the wheels
may be checked by placing a bar of wood through the spokes in the
usual manner. The trucks may be readily disconnected, so that the
train may be divided and drawn up hills in parts when the load is
considerable. This improved portable rail or tramway, if made of the
proper guage and of sufficient strength, would serve for the passage of
ordinary railway trucks, it being in all cases composed of a series of
ladder like sections connected together as before explained. To give
increased strength to the rails the iron strip F may be replaced by
angle iron A, B, C, Figure 14, screwed to the wood rail on both sides
A, B, B, O.
In some cases it would be of advantage to take to pieces the sections
of track to facilitate its carriage from place to place. For this purpose
I employ wood cross bars A, B, Figure 15, made in two parts V, Z,
scrowed together as shown in transverse section, Figure 16. Each half
is grooved longitudinally to receive a tie rod S, T, by which the cross
bars are secured to the rails, as shown. These cross ties are used as a
substitute for the cross bars previously described. This arrangement
is especially adapted for replacing damaged cross bars.
As wood is liable to decay the portable railway may be constructed
in sections composed entirely of two angle irons N, O, N¹, O³, see
Figure 17, connected together by the rods E, F, enclosed in a tubular
cross bar B, B'. The sections are united at their ends by fish plates
D, C, D¹, O¹, Figure 18.
°
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. Constructing a portable rail or tramway in ladder like sections,
each formed of two longitudinal rails or bars of wood held apart in
parallel position by cross bars, and provided with a metal surface for
the wheels of the carriers or trucks to travel upon, the sections being
hinged or jointed together end to end in such manner that the line will

page_text: readily adapt itself to undulating ground, substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated in the Drawings.
2ndly. I claim constructing carriers or trucks of small dimensions,
and each provided with a central longitudinal supporting and coupling
bar for connection with the preceding carrier or truck, each truck, with
the exception of the first one, being mounted on two wheels only, all as
before described and shown.
.
3rdly. I claim the combination of portable rail or tramway and
rolling stock, constructed as described, and forming an economic system
of transport for agricultural and other produce; the chief feature of the
system consisting in its extreme lightness although capable of trans-
porting very considerable quantities of produce distributed over a great
length of rail in numerous trucks or carriers.
4thly. I claim the construction of rail or tramway composed of ladder
like sections, the parts of which are capable of being readily fitted 1
together and taken apart as described and illustrated in Figures 15, 16,
17, and 18 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Olark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of De-
cember, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred 2
and seventy-one.
Witness,
W. G. E. SWINNOCK,
•
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)