RAILWAYS FOR FARMS AND ESTATE IMPROVEMENTS. 141 



the whole width of the farm in each way, and crossing each other at 

 the farm-steading, thus, fig. 15. 



If the farm-buildings are situated near the centre of the farm, it will 

 be all the more advantageous for a system of tramway. Branch lines 

 might be carried into dif- 

 ferent parts of the farm in 

 conjunction with the main 

 lines, having either gradual 



bends or turn-tables at the IRON "*"- | 



junctions. The trucks to be 

 used on such lines could 

 either be moved by horse- 

 power, or by a fixed engine 

 at the steading. One powerful engine could command the main lines 

 by means of a rope to pull the waggons, and also the branch lines by 

 having a pulley or drum wheel at the junctions to keep the rope right. 



There can be no doubt of the advantage of tramways when constructed 

 on cheap principles. They would be found of immense advantage and 

 profit in the removal of timber from the woodland on estates where these 

 are extensive. At the present time Colonel Farquharson has com- 

 menced to construct a tramway from the Ballater station, on the Deeside 

 Eailway, to his estate of Invercauld, for the removal of the timber from 

 the extensive forests there. I believe the total length of tramway is 

 about twelve miles, and the cost is estimated at 2000 per mile. It is 

 to be made substantially with sleepers and iron rails, and strong enough 

 for the engines of the Deeside Eailway Company to run upon it. 



In the construction of a tramway on an estate for the removal of 

 timber, or on a farm for general farm purposes, it would not be neces- 

 sary to form an expensive roadway. If the trucks are to be drawn by 

 a rope and fixed engine, the rails and sleepers could be laid upon the 

 level surface, or at least after the surface-soil had been removed. Where 

 horses pull the trucks, then it would be necessary to have the centre way 

 between the rails made hard with stones. 



On referring to fig. 16, the old system of farm-tramway is shown, 

 suitable for the weight of heavy trucks ; and when the timber string- 

 pieces are made of sufficient strength, it is quite capable of bearing 

 engines and heavy trains. 



The letters A A show the position of the cross sleepers, B B the 

 string-pieces on which the iron plates a a are fastened ; b b shows the 

 arrangement of the joints between the plates, c c the position of the 

 wooden wedges to firm the string-piece to the sleepers, and D D the 

 stone supports. 



