IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING THE PERMANENT WAYS OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Rowland Mason Ordish, of Great George Street,
Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING THE PERMANENT WAYS OF
RAILWAYS."
Sealed the 6th May 1859, and dated the 9th November 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Rowland Mason Ordish
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,.
on the 9th November 1858.
I, ROWLAND MASON ORDISH, of Great George Street, Westminster, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING THE PERMANENT WAYS OF
RAILWAYS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, firstly, in holding and supporting the rails of
railways by means of metallic sleepers constructed somewhat in the form of
hollow oblate spheroids, having their vertical considerably less than their hori-
zontal diameters, or, in other words, the plan of each sleeper is more or less
circular in form, and its vertical section taken transversely through the rail at
the centre of the sleeper is of an elliptic character, the shorter diameter of the
ellipse being situated in a vertical direction. The upper portion of the shell
of each sleeper, instead of being entirely continuous, is partly cut away so as
to admit of the jaws formed thereon being sprung slightly farther asunder, in
order, after the rail has been placed in position between them, to admit the

page_text: introduction of a metallic or other block, wedge, or key between the rail and
one or both of the jaws. The block, wedge, or key thus inserted is formed
with projections or indentations corresponding with indentations or projections
formed in or upon the inside face of the jaw, whereby when the block, wedge,
or key has once been placed in position, and the jaws, after being sprung
asunder, in order to insert it, are allowed to exert the pressure due to their
elasticity, it is securely held, and cannot be removed until the jaws are again
sprung asunder for the purpose.
The blocks, wedges, or keys, when thus placed in position, serve the purpose
also of securing the tie bars, whereby the gauge is maintained, and preventing
their removal until the jaws of the sleeper have been opened, and the blocks,
wedges, or keys displaced as described. The continual effort of the jaws to
resume their original position will cause a firm hold to be at all times main-
tained upon the rail, and will thereby prevent any injurious jarring of the
parts by the intermittent action of the wheels of passing trains, the momentary
pressure of which, by forcing the curved under surface of the sleeper down
upon the ballast, and tending to straighten the upper curve, will cause the rail
(which under thesc circumstances may be compared to the loaded key-stone
of a slightly elastic elliptical arch) to be still more strongly grasped during
their passage, while the sensible though slight elasticity of the sleeper will
cause it to yield sufficiently to produce a smooth and pleasant road without
entailing the loss of power consequent upon too great a yielding of the way.
It will at once be obvious that sleepers of this kind may be modified in
various ways, without departing from their peculiar and distinctive nature;
as, for example, they may be formed rectangular in plan (instead of circular as
described,) and their vertical section more or less modified, still retaining the
peculiar character of this part of my Invention whereby the features of
'strength and elasticity are arrived at in combination with a simplicity and self-
tightening power not otherwise attainable. They may also be used without.
the addition of loose blocks, wedges, or keys, and with or without plates inter-
posed between the jaws and the rail, or otherwise varied to suit the peculiar.
requirements of particular cases.
.
Secondly, my Invention consists in constructing chairs intended for attach-.
ment to wooden or other sleepers, of such form as to be slightly elastic, and to
permit the jaws formed thereon to be sprung asunder, and by their reaction.
to hold the rail either with or without the intervention of blocks, wedges, or
keys, as explained with reference to the sleepers before described.
And, thirdly, in securing the ends of two adjacent rails (laid upon wooden
or other sleepers) where they abut or come together by means of a metallic

page_text: spring clip forming a curve beneath the rail, and having its edges acting
upon plates situated upon each side of the web of the rail.
To put on the clip, its edges are sprung apart until they will pass upward
clear of the plates, and are held in this position while being raised to about
the centre of the plates, upon which they are then allowed to collapse with a
pressure corresponding to the strength of the clip, and the extent to which it
is kept out of its original figure; or otherwise I form the edges of the clip
with flanges in such manner as to press upon and hold the webs of the rails
without the intervention of plates as previously described. The jaws of the
sleepers and chairs and edges of the clips are sprung and held asunder as
required by suitable powerful tools or apparatus provided for the purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Rowland Mason Ordish in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th May 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROWLAND
MASON ORDISH, of Great George Street, Westminster, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Rowland Mason Ordish, Her special licence that I, the
said Rowland Mason Ordish, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Rowland Mason Ordish, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING THE PER-
MANENT WAYS OP RAILWAYS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Rowland Mason Ordish, my executors 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.
.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Rowland Mason Ordish, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manuer the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This Invention consists firstly, in holding and supporting the rails of rail-
ways by means of metallic sleepers, constructed somewhat in the form of
hollow oblate spheroids, having their vertical considerably less than their hori-
zontal diameters, or, in other words, the plan of each sleeper is more or less
circular in form, and its vertical section taken transversely through the rail at
the centre of the sleeper, is of an elliptic character, the shorter diameter of
the ellipse being situated in a vertical direction. The upper portion of the
shell of each sleeper, instead of being entirely continuous, is partly cut away,
so as to admit of the jaws formed thereon, being sprung slightly farther
asunder, in order after the rail has been placed in position between them, to
admit the introduction of a metallic or other block, wedge, or key, between the
rail and one or both of the jaws. The block, wedge, or key, thus inserted, is
formed with projections or indentations, corresponding with indentations or pro-
jections formed in or upon the inside face of the jaw, whereby, when the block,
wedge, or key has once been placed in position, and the jaws, after being
sprung asunder in order to insert it, are allowed to exert the pressure due to
their elasticity, it is securely held, and cannot be removed until the jaws are
again sprung asunder for the purpose. The blocks, wedges, or keys, when
thus placed in position, serve the purpose also of securing the tie bars whereby
the gauge is maintained, and preventing their removal until the jaws of the
sleeper have been opened, and the blocks, wedges, or keys, displaced as
described. The continual effort of the jaws to resume their original position,
will cause a firm hold to be at all times maintained upon the rail, and will
thereby prevent any injurious jarring of the parts by the intermittent action
of the wheels of passing trains, the momentary pressure of which, by forcing
the curved under surface of the sleeper down upon the ballast, and tending
to straighten the upper curve, will cause the rail (which under these circum-
stances may be compared to the loaded key-stone of a slightly elastic elliptical
arch), to be still more strongly grasped during their passage, while the sensible,
though slight elasticity of the sleeper will cause it to yield sufficiently to pro-
duce a smooth and pleasant road, without entailing the loss of power consequent
upon too great a yielding of the way. It will at once be obvious that sleepers
of this kind may be modified in various ways without departing from their
peculiar and distinctive nature. As, for example, they may be formed rectan-
gular in plan (instead of circular as described), and their vertical section more

page_text: or less modified, still retaining the peculiar character of this part of my
Invention, whereby the features of strength and elasticity are arrived at in
combination with a simplicity and self-tightening power not otherwise attain-
able. They may also be used without the addition of loose blocks, wedges,
or keys, and with or without plates interposed between the jaws and the rail,
or otherwise varied to suit the peculiar requirements of particular cases.
Secondly, my Invention consists in constructing chairs intended for attach-
ment to wooden or other sleepers, of such form as to be slightly elastic, and
to permit the jaws formed thereon to be sprung asunder, and by their reaction
to hold the rail either with or without the intervention of blocks, wedges, or
keys, as explained with reference to the sleepers before described.
And, thirdly, in securing the ends of two adjacent rails (laid upon wooden
or other sleepers), where they abut or come together, by means of a metallic
spring clip forming a curve beneath the rail, and having its edges acting upon
plates situated upon each side of the web of the rail. To put on the clip, its
edges are sprung apart until they will pass upward clear of the plates, and are
held in this position while being raised to about the centre of the plates upon
which they are then allowed to collapse, with a pressure corresponding to
the strength of the clip, and the extent to which it is kept out of its original
figure; or otherwise I form the edges of the clip with flanges in such manner
as to press upon and hold the webs of the rails without the intervention of
plates as previously described. The jaws of the sleepers and chairs, and edges
of the clips are sprung and held asunder as required by suitable powerful tools
or apparatus provided for the purpose.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
The accompanying Drawings represent different forms in which the several.
parts of my said Invention may be carried into effect, the same letters of
reference being made use of to indicate similar parts throughout.
Fig. 1, (Sheet 1), is an elevation of a sleeper constructed of cast-iron in
the form of a hollow oblate spheroid first previously described; Fig. 2, a
plan of the foregoing; and Fig. 3. a section of the bottom portion of the same,
taken in the line of the supported rail. a represents the main casting, having
its lower circular curved surface entire, to form a bearing upon the ballast,
and its upper part formed with jaws b, c, one of which b, presses directly upon
the rail d, and the other is placed so as to leave a space for the insertion of a
metallic key e between it (the jaw c) and the rail. To connect the rail to
the sleeper as shewn, the jaws, which in their original position as cast, are
somewhat too near together to admit the rail and key, are sprung farther

page_text: asunder (by suitable powerful levers inserted in the holes for otherwise), and
are held in that position until the rail and key are placed between them, when
they are allowed to close upon the key and rail and thus secure them to the
sleeper. The jaw c is formed with a small projection g, which, taking into a
notch formed in the key e secures the key in its position. The key has also
a downward projection h, which takes into a notch formed in the gauge or
tie bar i, and thus serves to secure the tie bar in position and maintain the
guage or distance from rail to rail.
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are respectively an elevation, plan, and vertical section of
an elliptical sleeper, (formed with strengthening ribs, connecting the upper and
lower portions of its shell), in which the jaws b, c, instead of being opened by
levers, as before described, are sprung asunder by means of a doubly inclined
metallic wedge or key j, driven between the rail and one of the jaws. The
double form of the incline, as shewn, causes the jaws to be opened to their
greatest extent during the driving of the first half of the wedge; and after-
wards, during the driving of the remaining half, allows them to return towards,
but not entirely resume, their original position, so that when the wedge is
driven home, a sufficient amount only of reaction is exerted by the jaws to
hold the rail and secure the wedge in its place. A key e, similar to that
described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, is made use of on the opposite side
of the rail to facilitate the introduction of the rail between the jaws, and to
secure the tie bar. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are views similar to the foregoing of a
circular sleeper, having a concave under surface, and holding the rail by means
of a doubly inclined wedge j and key e, as described with reference to Figs. 4,
5, and 6, with the exception only, that in this case the tie bar i passing
through lugs projecting beneath the sleeper, is secured in its position by
cotters k, instead of by the key e, as in the previous modification.
Fig. 10 is an elevation, and Fig. 11 a plan of a sleeper, differing from the
foregoing in being formed rectangular in plan, and, like the sleeper described
with reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, strengthened by vertical ribs connecting
its upper and lower parts. In this case the key e and wedge are dispensed
with, and both jaws made to press directly upon the rail. To put this sleeper
upon the rail, the jaws are sprung asunder as in the case of the sleeper first
herein-before described, and the rail is threaded or drawn through between
them to the required position where they are then allowed to collapse upon,
and thus secure the rail to the sleeper. The gauge or tie bar in this, as in
the preceding arrangement, is held in its position by cotters k, as shewn.
Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively an elevation and plan of a sleeper, having
its under surface arched or curved upward, and the gauge or tie bar i passing

page_text: through lugs underneath, and secured by cotters k. The jaws in this sleeper,
as in the sleepers described with reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, and 7, 8, and
9, are sprung asunder by a doubly inclined wedge or key j driven between the
web of the rail and the jaw b, a key e being made use of, as in those cases, to
facilitate the placing or removal of the rail. Both the wedge j and key e are
formed with semi-cylindrical recesses to receive the correspondingly formed
jaws b, c, of the sleeper. In this arrangement additional support is afforded to
the rail by its under head being made to rest upon the sleeper.
Fig. 14 is an elevation, and Fig. 15 a plan of an elastic sleeper to which
the rail is secured by means of a bolt formed upon the end of the gauge or tie
bar, which in this case passes through the web of the rail, and is screwed into
a nut l, whereby the whole of the parts are held firmly together.
Fig. 16, (Sheet 2) is an elevation, and Fig. 17 a plan of a sleeper in which
the rail is supported by jaws or brackets cast with the sleeper. The doubly.
inclined wedge j, whereby the jaws are sprung asunder, is, in this instance,
continued downward, and secures the tie bar, in the manner described with
reference to the key e of previous Figures.
Figs. 18 and 19 are views similar to the foregoing of a sleeper in which,
as in that case, the rail is supported by brackets cast with the sleeper, but
with the difference, that in this instance both a key e and wedge jare
employed to hold the rail.
Figs. 20 and 21 are corresponding views of a flat-bottomed sleeper, having
two solid jaws b, b, for supporting one side of the rail, and a single jaw c, with
doubly inclined wedge j, for holding the opposite side thereof.
Figs. 22 and 23 are also an elevation and plan of a sleeper curving down-
ward, and having both the key e and wedge j employed in securing the rail.
Figs. 24, 25, and 26 are respectively an elevation, (viewed as in preceding
Figures), a plan and an elevation viewed at right angles to Fig. 24, of a curved
sleeper, in which the rail is supported by elastic brackets or jaws cast on the
sleeper, and is secured therein by the key e and doubly inclined wedge j,
as before.
Figs. 27 and 28 are a plan and elevation of a circular sleeper, having a
concave under surface, and supporting the rail by elastic brackets or jaws b, c,
between which it is secured by the key e and wedge j, as described with
reference to former Figures.
Fig. 29, (Sheet 3) is a side elevation of a longitudinal sleeper, with portions
of two adjacent sleepers, shewing the manner in which they are to be laid
end to end in order to form a continuous bearing for the rail.
Fig. 30, a plan of the same; Fig. 31, a section through the line y, y, of

page_text: Figs. 29 and 30; and Fig. 32, a section through the line 2, 2, of Figs. 29
and 30. a, as in the previous Figures, indicates the main casting or body
of the sleeper, upon which is formed the jaw b, extending in this case
from m to n, the entire length of the sleeper. The opposite side of the
rail d is supported by one middle and two end jaws c, also formed with a
sleeper Between the middle jaw and the rail is driven a doubly inclined
wedge (as described with reference to previous Figures), a similar doubly
inclined wedge being made use of at each end, and driven one-half of its
length into the corresponding end jaw of the next adjoining sleeper in order
to secure the rail and sleepers perfectly together.
'
Fig. 33 is a transverse section of a longitudinal sleeper on which the rail is
held between light jaws b, c, by a key e and wedge j, which key and wedge
have a small amount of vertical play, for the purpose of allowing the rail to be
reversed when required.
Figs. 34 to 37 inclusive, are likewise modified forms of longitudinal sleepers,
the construction of which will be readily understood on reference to the
Drawing.
Fig. 38 is an elevation, and Fig. 39, a plan of a railway chair, constructed
according to the second part of my Invention. The main casting a of the
chair is formed with brackets or jaws b, c, which are sprung asunder, and
hold the rail d by means of a doubly inclined wedge j and key e, as explained
with reference to the sleeper represented at Figs. 4, 5, and 6, and other
sleepers herein-before described. Holes o are cast in the base of the chair
for securing it to the sleeper by spikes or otherwise, in the ordinary or other
convenient manner.
Figs. 40 and 41 are similar views of a chair, having one jaw b pressing
directly upon the rail, between which, and the other jaw c, an inclined wedge
5 is interposed for the purpose of holding it in the manner before described.
Figs. 42 and 43 are corresponding views of a chair, in which, as in
Figs. 38 and 39, both a doubly inclined wedge and key e are made use of
for springing the jaws and holding the rail.
Figs. 44 and 45 represent a chair formed with elastic brackets or jaws b, c,
between which the rail is secured by a wedge j and key e; its lower head, in
this case, resting upon and being supported by the base of the chair.
Figs. 46 and 47 shew a modification in which the key e and wedge j,
whereby the jaws b, c, are sprung asunder, and the rail held, are continued
downward, so as to rest upon and be supported by the base of the chair.
Figs. 48 and 49 are respectively a transverse section and a plan of a metallic-
spring clip, constructed according to the third part of my Invention,. and
:

page_text: applied to secure and preserve in line the ends of two adjacent rails d, d,
which abut or come together at p. q represents the clip curving downward
beneath the rails, and having its edges fitting into grooves in the plates r,
situated upon each side of the webs of the rails d, d. In applying the clip,
its edges are sprung out of their original position by suitable levers inserted in
the holes f, or otherwise, and are allowed to close upon the plates r, and hold
them to the rails with a pressure corresponding to the strength and elasticity
of the clip, and the extent to which it is kept out of its original Figure.
Figs. 50 and 51 are views similar to the foregoing of a clip, having jaws
s, t, formed thereon, one of which, s, presses directly upon one side of the
rails; their other side being supported by a plate r, held in position by doubly
inclined wedges j, driven between the jaw t and plate r.
Figs. 52 and 53 represent a clip formed with solid jaws, and corrugated for
the purpose of giving increased strength. In putting on the clip in this .case,
the jaws are sprung outward sufficiently to allow the ends of the rails to be
passed or threaded between them, and are then allowed to close upon the
rails, as shewn.
It will be well understood, that although in this description, and the
accompanying Drawings, I have confined myself principally to the application
of my Invention to the double-headed form of rail, its applicability is by no
means limited to that form; but that the same distinctive features of con-
struction may be readily modified to suit, and advantageously employed in
combination with such other forms of rail as it may be found desirable to
make use of.
par-
It will farther be obvious that various other combinations may be formed
from the different modifications shewn; as also that the leading features of
my Invention may be otherwise embodied to meet the requirements of
ticular cases without in any way departing from its peculiar and distinguishing
characteristics. Without therefore limiting myself to the precise forms or
details represented, I would have it understood that I claim,-
Firstly, in the construction of cast metallic sleepers for supporting the rails
of railways, the use or employment of the elastic reaction of the material of
the sleeper (due to its being sprung and retained out of its original Figure)
for securing the rails to the sleepers.
Secondly, the use or employment of doubly inclined metallic wedges for
springing the parts of the sleepers, and holding the rails, as described.
Thirdly, the method of securing the tie bars of sleepers by means of the
wedges or keys employed for holding the rail, as described.
Fourthly, in the construction of cast chairs for securing the rails of railways

page_text: upon wooden or other sleepers; the use or employment of the elastic reaction
of the material (due to its being sprung and retained out of its original Figure)
for securing the rails to the chairs.
Fifthly, the use or employment of doubly inclined metallic wedges for
springing the parts of the chairs, and holding the rails, as described.
Sixthly, the use or employment of cast metallic spring clips for securing the
joints of rails, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Rowland Mason Ordish, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
Witness,
FRANCIS WISE,
Patent Agent,
108, Fleet Street, London.
R. M. ORDISH. (L.S.)