IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAIL- WAYS AND TRAMWAYS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Featherstone Griffin, of 19, Great George
Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
for the Invention' of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAIL-
WAYS AND TRAMWAYS."
Sealed the 30th July 1869, and dated the 3rd April 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Featherstone
Griffin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 3rd April 1869.
1, GEORGE FEATHERSTONE GRIFFIN, of 19, Great George Street, West-
minster,. in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT
WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS," to be as follows;-
1. When using wooden sleepers I propose to make them with one or
more deep grooves cut longitudinally to receive rails such as herein-after-
described, 'and 'with suitable holes of the same or different diameters in.
their lengths to receive bolts, which I propose to term "Griffin's regu-
lating bolts," and which are herein-after described. In some cases I

page_text: propose to fasten thin hoop or angle iron upon the face or upper side on
either side of the longitudinal grooves, and to recess thin iron supports
in the grooves at the joints and in other places..
2. When using iron sleepers, as patented by me in 1862 under the
No. 3214, I propose to fasten the rails (especially those herein described)
upon a suitable packing or otherwise by means of my regulating bolt
instead of a wedge, I also propose to make iron sleepers by stamping or
pressing heated metal into dies, forming them into round, oval, oblong, or
other convenient shape, also to make iron sleepers from double angle iron
wrought into any convenient form to receive and support timber, the
timber resting on the inner flange the outer flange bearing upon the
ballast. I also propose to cast iron sleepers with wide outside flanges
forming a deep tray in which to place pieces of timber to rest and fasten
the rails to and upon, whilst the outside flanges give a suitable bearing
upon the ballast.
In some cases I may partially fill the stamped or
pressed sleepers and cast iron trays with concrete or asphalte to protect
the timber and give weight and solidity to the road.
3. I propose to make either single headed flange, bridge, or saddle rails
with such depth and thickness of wcb or webs below the flanges as may
bę necessary to sustain the traffic, and under each head or flango I have
a lip or rib turned down at onc or both extremities so as completely to
protect and prevent the escape of suitable packing supporting the same,
whilst the lower portion of the web or webs is in the groove or grooves
of the sleepers before described and fastened upon them by my regulating
bolts. In some cases I make small flanges to flange and bridge rails
very high up and with a rib or lip as described, and carry down the
web or webs of the same of a much thinner section of metal, I also may
add a web of any desired depth to the saddle rail.
4. I propose to make the bolts which I call "Griffin's regulating bolts"
of any required length of two diameters of iron or other metal, the
larger diameter near the centre of the bolt running off in a wedge-like
form to the smaller diameter. At each end of the bolt I make a screw
to receive a nut and washer, and I prefer that each nut should screw on
in different directions. These bolts may be of any suitable section of
iron, and the wedge-like form either all round or on one or other side as
bests suits the section of rail or iron for which they may be used. In
some cases I use on the regulating bolts with or without reverse screws
at the ends a hollow sheath which passes over the small end of the bolt,

page_text: and upon the inner end of which sheath is the necessary wedge form.
The sheath being put upon the bolts and the washers and nuts in placė
and, screwed up act in the same manner as the bolt before described of
two diameters of metal, but from each instead of from only one end, or
I may use a common bolt with screw at either end and a sheath**passed
on from each end having the necessary wedge forms.
5. I propose to make the fish joints in one piece to fit accurately the
web of rail and in close contact therewith, and I prefer to enclose the
whole in a recess in the iron or wood sleepers, fastening the same with
ordinary bolts or in some cases with my regulating bolts. These fishes
after being rolled of the exact form required and cut to the proper length
are shaped on a mandril to fit any désired form of rail.
6. I propose to make supports to sustain the whole or part of the
timber sleepers as well as the ends of timber sleepers and cross ties
either of girder iron, malleable iron, or cast iron, the same being of any
desired length and of sufficient width and depth to bed the timber
therein, and I fasten the same with regulating or other bolts, which may
or may not also pass through the web of rails.
7. The cross ties which I prefer to use are ordinary timber ties for a
timber road, but these to have a hole bored completely through them
transversely with the road to allow of an iron bar passing through them
and the longitudinal timbers which support the rails on either side, the
bars are then fastened with nuts and washers in the ordinary way. In
some cases where it is difficult to use a long bar as described I may. use
a. timber tie with a hole partially through transversely on either side, a
bolt is then put in which may or may not also secure the rail, and
coming out where a piece has previously been cut out of the cross tie for
that purpose is fastened at either end with nuts and washers as before
described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Featherstone Griffin in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 30th September 1869.

page_text: auu
places.
Figs. 1 to 16 of the Drawing illustrate permanent way combining these
improvements.
The preparation of the timber is effected in the simplest and most
inexpensive manner, the grooves being cut and the holes bored by one
operation of machines now in common use.
When using iron sleepers, as patented by me in 1862 under the
No. 3214, I fasten the rails (especially those herein-after described) upon
a suitable packing or otherwise by means of my regulating bolt, instead
a wedge, as hitherto. Figs. 25 to 28 inclusive illustrate cast-iron
sleepers upon this model.
I also make iron sleepers by stamping or by pressing heated metal into
dies, or by stamping or pressing without heating the metal, forming
them into round, oval, oblong, or other convenient shapes.
I also make iron sleepers from double angle iron wrought into any
convenient form to receive and support timber, the timber resting on
the inner flange, the outer flange bearing upon the ballast, as illustrated,
Figs. 17 and 21.
I also cast iron sleepers with wide outside flanges forming a deep tray'
in which to place pieces of timber to rest and fasten the rails to and
upon, whilst the outside flanges give a. suitable bearing upon the ballast,
as illustrated Fig. 20 of the Drawing.
In some cases I partially fill the stamped or pressed sleepers and cast-
iron trays with concrete or asphalte to give weight and solidity to the
road. This system is particularly applicable to the form of sleepers
shown, Figs. 23 and 24.
I make either single-headed, flange, bridge, or saddle rails with such
depth and thickness of web or webs below the flanges as
may be
necessary to sustain the traffic; and under each head or flange I have
a lip or rib turned down at one or both extremities so as completely to
protect and prevent the escape of suitable packing supporting the same,
whilst the lower portion is in the groove or grooves of my improved
A rail of
sleepers, and fastened upon them by my regulating bolts.
this construction is illustrated in position, Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, and
detached at Figs. 29 and 31.

page_text: In some cases I make small flanges to flange and bridge rails very
high up, and with a rib or lip as described, and carry down the web or
webs of the same of a much thinner section of metal. This construction
is illustrated, Figs. 30, 31, and 34.
In some cases I make small flanges to flange and bridge rails very
high up, and with a rib or lip as described, and carry down the web or
webs of the same of a much thinner section of metal. This construction
is illustrated, Figs. 30, 31, and 34.
I also add a web of any desired depth to the saddle rail, see
Fig. 32.
Figs. 33 and 35 show other forms of rails with my improvements
applied.
I make the bolts, which I term Griffin's regulating bolts of any
required length, and of two diameters of iron or other metal, the larger
diameter running off in a wedge form near the centre of the bolt. At
each end of the bolt I make a screw to receive a nut and washer, and I
prefer that cach nut should screiv on from right to left, in other words,
that the screw thread at one end of the bolt be the reverse of that at
the other. These bolts may be of any suitable section of iron, and the
wedge-like form either all round or on one or other side, as best suits the
section of rail or iron for which they may be used. This construction of
bolt is illustrated, Figs. 43 to 46 inclusive.
In some cases 1 use on the regulating bolts a hollow sheath, which
passes over the smaller end of the bolt, and upon the inner end of which
sheath is the necessary wedge form, see Fig. 47 The sheath being put
upon the bolt, and the washers and nuts in place and screwed up, the
bolt acts in the same manner as that before described, but from cach
instead of from only one end; or I may use a common bolt with screw
at either end, and a sheath passed on from each end having the necessary
wedge forms.
I make the fish joints in one piece to fit accurately the web of the
rail and in close contact therewith, and I prefer to enclose the whole in
a recess in the iron or wood sleepers, fastening the same with ordinary
bolts, or with my regulating bolls according to circumstances. 'This
kind of fish plate is illustrated Figs 40 and 42. 1 also roll a fish
plate to the exact form required, and then shape it on a mandril to fit
any desired form of rail, as illustrated, Figs. 36 and 37.
In some cases where great strength is required I use similar plates to
those, Figs. 40 and 42, but of less breadth, as at Fig. 41, as clips where-
ever I pass a bolt or regulating bolt through sleeper and web of rail.
The application is illustrated, Fig. 2.

page_text: I make supports to
as well as the ends of
malleable iron, or cast
sustain the whole or part of the timber, sleepers
timber sleepers and cross ties cither of girder iron,
iron, the same being of any desired length and
of sufficient width and depth to bed the timber therein; and I fasten
the same with regulating bolts which may or may not pass through the
web of rails. These supports are illustrated Figs. 18 and 19.
.
The cross ties which I prefer to use are ordinary timber ties for a
timber road, but these to have a hole bored completely through them
transversely with the road to allow of an iron bar passing through them,
and the longitudinal timbers which support the rails on either side the
bars are then fastened with nuts and washers in the ordinary way.
This arrangement will be at once understood by reference to Figs. 1, 2,
3, and 4.
.
In some cases where it is difficult to use a long bar as described, I use
a timber tie with a hole partially through transversely on either side.
A bolt is then put in which may or may not also secure the rail, and
coming out where a piece has previously been cut out of the cross tic
for that purpose is fastened at either end with nuts and washers as
before described. This arrangement is shown, Fig. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Fig. 1 is a section at A, B, Fig. 3, of part of a longitudinal timber
sleeper permanent way constructed with some of my improvements.
A, rail; B, sleeper; C, transom or timber tie. a, web of rail in groove
of sleeper; b, b, strips of oak or other hard wood or any suitable packing
protected by the lips or ribs c, c, of the rail; d, regulating bolt shown
in dotted lines passing through sleeper and web of rail. By loosening
the nut e and screwing up that e¹ the wedge f of this bolt is drawn into
the hole of the web tightening the rail upon its packing, and by loosening
that e¹ the rail is loosened, and fresh packing may be introduced; g, iron
tie bar passing through timber tie.
Fig. 2 section of timber way at C, D, Fig. 4, showing fish plate h.
Fig. 3 plan of timber way showing regulating bolt d employed
with chip i, or with simple washers i, j, between its nuts and side of
sleeper; Fig. 4, plan of same showing joint of rails and fish plate h in
place.
Fig. 5, inside elevation showing section of transom or timber tie C
and bolt a also cling i

page_text: Fig. 6, outside elevation showing fish plate h in position..
Fig. 7, plan showing regulating bolt d fastening transom C in position.
I adopt this arrangement when the use of a long iron rod as at Figs.
1, 2, 3, and 4 is inconvenient; k, groove for web of rail.
Fig. 8, shows the application of my clip i or fish plate h to combine 5
3 longitudinal pieces of timber the centre one being grooved at k to
receive the web of rail.
Fig. 9 is an end view of a sleeper with clip i or fish plate h, and
cast or wrought iron support or shoe D bolted or riveted together.
Fig. 10, end view of a sleeper formed of two longitudinal pieces 1
of timber set in a clip i or fish plate h with bottom flange turned
inwards
Fig. 11, sleeper composed of an iron support or shoe D inclosing
two pieces of timber and forming groove at k for web of rail.
Fig. 12, end view of sleeper formed by inclosing two pieces of timber
within a clip i or fish plate 7 bolted to a guage bar I.
Fig 13, end view of sleeper set in double angle iron supports with
metal bed or connecting plate D.
Fig. 14, end view of timber sleeper with clip rolled with wide groove,
reversed to receive improved or ordinary rail fastened with regulating
bolt.
Fig. 15, section of sleeper made with grooved plate in form of clip
or fish plate enclosing wood with under plate connected by regulating
bolt.
Fig. 16, section of a sleeper rolled in one piece to receive timber and
rail to be fastened by regulating bolts.
I term the arrangements Figs. 9 to 16 inclusive strap sleepers, and
I especially intend them for use where continuous longitudinal sleepers
are not required, and as illustrations of sleeper arrangements to which
my improved regulating bolts are specially applicable.
Fig. 17, angle iron from which I propose to form tray for sleeper as
previously described and shown Fig. 21.
Figs. 18 and 19 are sections of iron supports for timber joints.
Fig. 20 is a longitudinal elevation of cast-iron sleeper showing wood B

page_text: Fig. 21, plan of iron tray formed of angle iron as shown, Fig. 17 with
clip and tie bar l, but grooved wood not shown.
E, with wood B, clip i, and
Fig. 22, side view of metal tray E, with
tie bar I.
Fig. 23, view of a longitudinal or transverse metal sleeper with
wood F interposed between it and rail. I fill with concrete at H.
Fig. 24, plan view of metal sleeper showing transverse iron tie
or guage bar I coming under flange of sleeper. It will be observed
that where the guage bar is used rail, sleeper, and bar are bolted
together.
Fig. 25, section of a cast-iron sleeper with groove k for web rail;
Fig. 26, plan of same.
Fig. 27, section of cast-iron sleeper with grooves k, k, for rail with
two webs; Fig. 28, plan of same.
Figs. 29 to 35, inclusive sections of rails; a, web; c, c, lips or ribs;
m, flanges.
Fig 36, section of iron rolled to form fish for ordinary double-headed
rail; Fig. 37 same, applied to rail.
Fig. 38, section of iron rolled to fit in
rest on top of sleeper, that is to say, a
groove and to overlap and
clip or fish plate without
flange overlapping side of sleepers; Fig. 39, plan of same.

page_text: or for an ordinary bolt as previously explained; Fig. 48, end view of
same.
It will be observed that. I entirely dispense with the use of chairs,
wedges, spikes, trenails, or small bolts. The enclosed position of the
web or webs of the rail in the longitudinal groove or grooves k, whether
of timber or of metal sleepers, together with the immense force of the
grip of my regulating bolt completely obviates the tendency of the rail
to turn or buckle, and thus while having more available wearing surface
less weight of metal is necessary, and its maximum strength is obtained
by a minimum increase of weight.
The method of supporting and strapping timber sleepers illustrated,
Figs. 9 to 14 inclusive, is particularly adapted for permanent ways
where it is not deemed necessary to give the rail a continuous longitudinal
support by placing the sleepers end to end. In this case the combination
of wood and iron gives great solidity, security, and permanence.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I would have it distinctly under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the use of any particular wood where
wood is used, or of metal where metal is used, that I employ steel, iron,
or composite rails as I may find expedient, that I do not necessarily
employ my improvements in the combinations illustrated on the annexed
Sheet of Drawing but employ them independently of each other as far
as practicable to suit the circumstances of each particular case, some
of these improvements, the lip or rib c and my regulating bolt d, for
example, being applicable with advantage to many systems of permanent
way now in use.
What I claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The use of longitudinal sleepers whether of wood or
of iron, having a groove or grooves to receive the web or webs of a
rail.
Secondly. The use of rails with one or more deep
application to longitudinal grooved sleepers, and with or
high up on the web, also the use of rails with lips or ribs
for the purpose of preventing the escape of packing.
webs in their
without flanges
under the head
Thirdly. The use of the bolts and nuts of two diameters, herein termed
Griffin's regulating bolt, to whatever description of permanent way they

page_text: may be applied. Also the application of a sheath upon the small
diameter of regulating bolts, and of two such sheaths upon an ordinary
bolt.
Fourthly. The use of fish joints and clips shaped to follow the longitudinal
groove or grooves of a sleeper, and come under web of rail whether they over-
lap sides of timber sleeper or not.
Fifthly. The use of the timber cross ties with rod passing through
them from end to end, or with regulating bolts passing only partly through
them longitudinally.
Sixthly. The use of sleepers made by stamping or pressing metal into
dies.
Seventhly. The use of flat sleepers cast with wide outside flanges
forming a deep tray in which to place pieces of timber to rest and
fasten the rails to and upon, the outside flanges bearing upon the
ballast.
Eighthly. The use of iron supports to sustain the whole or part of the timber
sleepers as well as their ends and cross ties.
The whole substantially as herein-before described and illustrated on the
accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Featherstone Griffin, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
G. FEATHERSTONE GRIFFIN. (L.s.)