the Gauge of the Wheels of Rolling Stock. 277 



to carry recesses to keep the flanges in position. As 

 there is a difference of 6 h inches between the gauges 

 of the Victorian and New South Wales lines, I make 

 my solid axle 5 inches in diameter, being half an inch 

 thicker than the present Victorian axles, in order to allow for 

 the overhang. Between New South Wales and Queensland, 

 the difference of gauge being 1 4 J inches, I propose making the 

 solid axle 5 J inches thick. For South Australia and Tasmania, 

 where the gauges are 5 feet 3 inches and 3 feet 6 inches, the 

 difference being 21 inches, I propose making the solid axle 

 6 inches. The sleeves and hinged clamps, however, will be 

 of the same thickness in every case. It is reasonable to 

 suppose, however, that if the axles are made of the very best 

 steel procurable, these dimensions may with safety be 

 lessened, and the cost, as a consequence, diminished. Experi- 

 ence only will prove this, and the various Governments must 

 decide upon these points after trial. My invention can be 

 applied to passenger cars as well as goods trucks ; but as 

 persons can walk from one train to another in a few minutes, 

 there is no absolute necessity for it. Each passenger train 

 may, however, be provided with luggage trucks placed upon 

 my axles, and these can be altered to the broad or narrow 

 gauge as required. The alteration of brake fastenings and 

 blocks can be effected in a variety of ways, and I show a 

 simple and inexpensive one on my model. 



Letters patent have been granted to me for Victoria, New 

 South Wales, New Zealand, and the United States, while they 

 have been applied for in the other colonies, Great Britain, 

 Canada, India, and most of the European States. Plans were 

 sent to England on 5th September last for the manufacture 

 of two sets of axles and wheels, which ought to arrive in 

 Victoria in the latter end of March next, when I hope to get 

 permission from the Governments of Victoria and New South 

 Wales to run a truck, provided with my axles, from Mel- 

 bourne to Sydney and back again. No alteration of truck 

 will be required, as my axles can be placed under any of the 

 Victorian ones now in use. 



