A New or Improved Method for the Preservation of Railway Sleepers.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1892
1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method for the Preservation of Railway
Sleepers.
1, GEORGE HENRY CULLING of 13 St. James New Cross London S.E.
Barge Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
-
This invention relates to a new or improved method for preserving railway
sleepers from damp and other deteriorating influences and rendering them more
durable.
In carrying out my invention I cover a part of the sleeper, including the section
on which the chair is fixed, with tar tempered with pitch, and then lay a coating of
best barge hair, felt, tow or other similar material on the tar. A second coat of
tar is placed over this, being laid on by rolling a tar mop over it. These two
coverings of tar with a layer of hair, felt or tow between will effectually prevent
any rain or damp penetrating the wood at that part and as almost all the rotting
occurs close to the chair in consequence of the rust acting on the wood, the sleepers
would be thoroughly protected at their weakest parts. The coat may be laid on
for a certain distance from the ends of the sleeper or the chairs may be let into the
sleeper for a quarter to half an inch and this part only be coated, giving the chair
a steadier seat. Where dampness prevails, such as beneath long tunnels, the whole
sleeper might be covered in this manner, thus protecting it at every point.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1892.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method for the Preservation of Railway
Sleepers.
I, GEORGE HENRY CULLING of 13 St. James New Cross, London, S.E.
Barge Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a new or improved method of preserving railway
sleepers from damp and other deteriorating influences and rendering them more
durable.
In carrying out my invention I cover a part of the sleeper, including the section
on which the chair is fixed, with tar tempered with pitch, and then lay a coating
of best barge hair, felt, tow or other similar material, on the tar. A second
coat of tar is placed over this, being laid on by rolling a tar mop over it.
These two coverings of tar with a layer of hair felt or tow between will
effectually prevent any rain or damp penetrating the wood at that part, and as
almost all the rotting occurs close to the chair, in consequence of the rust acting
on the wood, the sleepers would be thoroughly protected at their weakest parts.
The coat may be laid on for a certain distance from the ends of the sleeper
or the chairs may be let into the sleeper for a quarter to half an inch and this
part only be coated giving the chair a steadier seat. Where dampness prevails
such as beneath long tunnels, the whole sleeper might be covered in this manner,
thus protecting it at every point.
The sleeper should be perfectly dry in all cases before the coat is applied.

page_text: Where sleepers are subjected to much damp it might be found desirable to add a
second coat of tar and intermediate material prepared in the manner described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
The method of preserving sleepers from the action of damp and rust, by coats of
tar and tow, felt.or like material, substantially as hereinbefore described and for
the purposes specified.
Dated this 16th day of November 1892
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.