TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 225 
The movements of the points, or their vibration in the arc of a circle, and the 
longitudinal movements of the two sliding-bars, are effected simultaneously and ~ 
correspondingly, and in proper relation to one another, either through the connexions 
that are provided or any other suitable arrangement, and the whole is worked or 
set in motion by means of one lever-handle or by the movement of one connecting- 
rod from the pointsman’s box; and when, by the forward motion of one of the 
sliding-bars, the bevelled end thereof is pressed against the bevel on the point corre- 
sponding thereto, and forces the extreme point of the switch against the permanent 
rail, it holds it there until the whole of the train has passed over the points. As even 
the pointsman himself cannot move the lever or the bars or the points during the 
passage of an engine or train over or along the longitudinal bar, or over the rail under 
which or partly under and partly by the side of which the longitudinal sliding-bar is 
applied or fitted, by reason of the load or weight of the engine or carriage upon it, 
thus the pointsman or any other person would be prevented from moving this 
handle or the connecting-rod therefrom, or the sliding-bar itself, and so the position 
of the points cannot be changed ; and they cannot be opened to the slightest extent 
whilst the train is approaching the points or until after the engine or train has 
entirely passed over them. 
If the angles of the inclined surfaces of the projections from the longitudinally 
sliding-bar and from the points be other than 45°, the relation of the movements 
and the proportionate motions of the longitudinal bars and the vibrations of the 
points must be changed to correspond therewith, so that they pass the one incline 
surface over the face of the other when the bars, acting on the points, cause them 
to be alternately moved from or to the permanent rail. 
The outside rod and mechanism of this point-locking apparatus are connected with 
the signals by means of rods in the usual way; and the protecting signals should 
first be moved over into the right position to protect the road before the points are 
moved ; and the points should also be connected with a point-indicator, so as to show 
their true position by night as well as by day. 
On the Gieat Western Railway, at the Portobello Junction, a combined broad- 
gauge and narrow-gauge line is fitted with facing-points according tothis invention, 
and they have been in constant use for fourteen months; and, besides the sidings 
proper for the general tratlic,, the heaviest goods traffic into the goods yard has 
passed over the broad- as well as the narrow-gauge points at this Junction with 
entire satisfaction to the engineer and all concerned, and the pointsman speaks of 
the invention in the highest terms. 
At Hammersmith Junction this apparatus has been applied to the narrow- 
gauge line where the Great Western and Metropolitan Railway systems join; and 
there, too, after about fourteen months’ heavy work, although the apparatus was 
only roughly made up and put together, it has stood the severest tests to which it 
could be subjected, and has given every possible satisfaction. 
The plan view of a narrow-gauge line, with a guard-rail on the inner side of 
each permanent rail, shows a longitudinally sliding-bar working between the 
inner face of each permanent rail and the guard-rail. It shows the movements of 
the two bars in opposite direction as being there produced by a lever-arm 
mounted on a sleeper between the rails, and the bevel end of each bar resting 
on a bed-piece or chair common (as a bearing) to it and the bevel projection 
on the end of the corresponding point, against the bevelled face of which the 
end of the sliding-bar is constantly in contact and ready to act or perform its 
function of moving the point over to, and firmly ras it against, the permanent rail, 
either alone or conjointly, through or by the aid of the bell-crank or other connexions 
which may be introduced whenever thought to be desirable or advisable; but the 
use of bell-cranks for moving the points over in the are of a circle is not really ne- 
cessary, though many engineers may consider it a proper adjunct and precaution. 
To suit the various forms of railway bars in use, and also the views of railway 
engineers, the inventor has proposed various modifications in the form and arrange- 
ment of the longitudinally sliding-bars, as far as possible to suit the various condi- 
tions of things. 
