Improvements in Gravity Railways and Water Chutes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Gravity Railways and Water Chutes.
I, WILLIAM JAMES WALDRON, 18, Limerston Street, West Brompton, London,
S.W., Exhibition Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a gravity railway of a specially con-
structed girder work track gravity railway and water chute belonging to that class
used for public amusement and for exhibitions and such like places of resort.
This my invention comprises an elevated structure made of iron steel or tim-
ber girder-work carrying a suitable undulating track with rails of any approved
section which extends as a switchback from a pavilion at one end, and ends in a
gradient down into a lake of water. Upon these rails may run driven by gravity
a fourwheeled carriage-body upon which is built a punt shaped car fitted to carry
7 persons or more and after running up and down two or more up and down gradi-
ents as may be thought advisable will finally run down a steep incline into a lake
of water and by this means check the velocity acquired by the down run so that
the car will have slowed down sufficiently in the space of a few yards for the pas-
sengers to alight. The car will then be drawn up out of the water on to a light
railway and run along the side of the track back to the starting point where it
will be hauled up to the high level of the starting point by means of a crane.
My car will be built of wood in the shape of a punt with a high prow projecting
forward to guide the car upward when striking the water and also to save to a
certain extent any slight splash.
The wheels upon which the car is built will be fixed so that only half the dia-
meter of the wheel will be below the bottom level of the car itself.
The cars may be built in any other design open or closed fitted with seats or
otherwise constructed in any shape for carrying passengers goods coal ores, and
may take the shape of boats horses or other animals and the like.
The rails of the track will be extended right into the water thereby guiding the
car right in so that it will strike the water exactly straight and entirely eclipse
any fear of loss of balance.
A guard will travel with each car supplied with an oar to assist in the getting
the car to the opposite bank.
My invention chiefly consists in a car of any shape or design running on wheels
being guided into water off a pair of rails.
Dated this Twenty-third day of April 1897.
WILLIAM JAMES WALDRON,
18, Limerston Street, West Brompton, London, S.W. (Applicant).

page_text: Improvements in Gravity Railways and Water Chutes.
I, WILLIAM JAMES WALDRON, of 18, Limerston Street, West Brompton, in the
County of London, Civil Engineer, 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:-
The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved undulating rail-
way and waterchute apparatus arranged to enable persons to enjoy an exciting
and safe ride.
My invention comprises an elevated structure built of iron steel or timber girder
work carrying a suitable undulating track with rails of any approved section and
gauge which extends as a switchback from a high pavilion at one end and finishes
in a down gradient into a lake of water. Upon the rails on this track driven by
gravity runs my car which is built watertight with curved ends to guide it safely
into the water, and mounted on pairs of flange wheels the same gauge as the rails.
After the car has discharged its passengers on the opposite bank of the lake it will
be brought back to the junction of the return track with the water, lifted out, and
run back to the high level of the platform on such return track, the means em-
ployed being a windlass and cable rope. When the car reaches the top level of
the platform it will be run upon a moveable table, such table being then run
across parallel with the main track.
The car will be fitted with outside splashboards and splayboards to save any
slight spray entering the car and to help balance the car in the water respectively.
The improved undulating railway and waterchute apparatus can be constructed in
a portable manner, and a large iron tank can be constructed in portions and made
to fit, and be used in conjunction with the track, so that the whole can be removed
and reconstructed. Smaller cars can be built to carry one or more persons, to be
used in conjunction with the portable undulating railway and waterchute. A
traction engine and wagons may be provided to move the improved apparatus
from place to place the power of such traction engine being transmitted to the
windlass above mentioned to facilitate the return of the empty cars when the im-
proved apparatus is fixed & working.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I annexe drawings to which
I now refer.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of the track showing the return track adjoining.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of Fig. 1 on a larger scale.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the car.
The improved annaratus as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is as follows. A and B
are the tracks of the main and return roads. C is the handrail running the whole
length either side of both tracks. D is the high level starting platform, E is the
lake and F are the metal rails. In Fig. 3 which shows the car standing on a
track G is a side view of the body of the car, and H are the flange wheels upon
which it is mounted.
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:
1. The combination of an undulating gravity track carrying a pair of rails as
herein referred to ending with a gradient down to the edge of a lake, and a lake,
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In combination an undulating gravity track carrying a pair of rails as herein

page_text: referred to ending with a gradient down to the edge of a lake, a lake a watertight
car with curved ends mounted upon flange wheels, and a return track for the
empty cars substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
3. The use with an undulating gravity track of the kind herein described, and
a lake, of watertight cars having curved ends, and mounted upon flange wheels
substantially as herein set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. A portable railway lake and cars to carry one or more persons adapted for
transport, the haulage power employed, being utilized for the return of the empty
cars when working.
Dated this Twenty-fourth day of January 1898.
WILLIAM JAMES WALDRON,
(Applicant).