276 Improvements in Contrivances for Varying 



as if the two lines were of the same gauge, allowing for a 

 detention of, say, one hour at the break of gauge if one 

 truck at a time is altered by my platform, or half an hour 

 only, if each truck be provided with a platform. 



If machinery be used to work the right and left-handed 

 screws, I estimate that a truck can be altered from the broad 

 to the narrow gauge, or vice versa, in five minutes. If a 

 platform be provided for each truck, any number can be 

 altered, after the hinged clamps are opened and thrown 

 back, in the same time as one, by the aid of an engine in 

 the pit working an endless cogged chain which would turn 

 all the right and left-handed screws simultaneously. 



Between Victoria and New South Wales I pro- 

 pose using an axle of 5 inches diameter, and as my 

 sleeves are 1J inches in general thickness, I add to the 

 strength instead of diminishing it. The first axles made 

 according to my patent will be more expensive than those 

 now used, because the sleeves and hinged clamps are difficult 

 to make ; but as they are practically indestructible, it will 

 only be the first lot that will be expensive. As the sleeves 

 are prevented by the feathers from revolving on the axles, 

 there will be no friction, and when the journals of the solid 

 axles are worn out the same sleeves and hinged clamps can be 

 used for the new solid axles required. The forging of the solid 

 collar on the axle will be troublesome, but I think it better 

 to do this than risk any failure. At the same time, I con- 

 sider that were the centre of the axle recessed a little all 

 round, a collar in two parts, fastened together by strong 

 riveted bolts, would answer the purpose equally well, and 

 would, of course, be less expensive. This, however, is for the 

 consideration of the Governments who adopt the patent. In 

 bringing dead meat from the interior of New South Wales 

 to Melbourne my invention gets over the present difficulty 

 of break of gauge, for it can be placed in refrigerating cars 

 and sent to Melbourne without re-handling, thus avoiding 

 all risk of thawing by being exposed to the warm air, as 

 must follow if the contents of the cars are transferred from 

 New South Wales' to Victorian trucks. Again, in bring- 

 ing coal from New South Wales to Victoria, all the trouble, 

 expense, and loss of time in unloading would be avoided. 

 Provided that an axle according to my patent is made wide 

 enough to run on the broader gauge, all that is necessary to 

 enable trucks to run on a narrower line is to shorten 

 the sleeves and make the hinged clamps wide enough 



