1 Aprin, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 285 
Science. 
CAILLET’S MONO-RAIL SYSTEM. 
Every month brings out some new idea for the saving of labour, reduction 
of expense in construction and working of machinery for simple and effective 
road traction, &c. At the Bendigo (Victoria) Exhibition this year, a single- 
rail system of road traction was exhibited which excited much attention from 
visitors, especially farmers, sugar-planters, mine-owners and others who have to 
deal with the hauling of produce, ore, timber, &c., for considerable distances to 
arailway station or a port. 
The Caillot mono-rail system which we here illustrate seems to be exactly 
what is required in this State for the haulage of farm produce, particularly in 
wet weather. It would also prove of great advantage to timber-getters for 
drawing logs from a distance to a railway. 
Briefly described, it consists of a single rail of light section supported by 
steel sole-plates at intervals of a few feet, and is laid down direct on the surface 
of the ground without sleepers, ballasting, or other special preparation. ‘The 
rolling-stock, which is of various forms and sizes according to the uses for 
which it is intended, is designed on the principle of enabling a man or an 
animal to always transport the maximum load. 
The system shows, it is claimed, an economy of from 50 to 60 per cent. on 
the cost of ordinary cartage, with an equivalent saving of wear and tear to the 
animals employed. One horse is required for each truck, and can draw a load 
of from 14 to 2 tons over a line where the grades do not exceed about 5 per 
cent. Several trucks can be coupled together, thereby reducing the number of 
drivers. The cars for hand-traction are light and easily manipulated, and one 
man can work ten hours per day transporting loads of 6 ewt. The bottom of 
the cars being only a few inches above the rail, it is impossible for them to run 
away or to overturn. If dumping is required, the end rail has to be raised a 
few inches in order to give the necessary elevation for clearance. An extremely 
light section of rail is used, a 9-lb. rail being sufficient for all cars on two 
Piccls with a load up to 15 ewt., and for bogie cars with a load of about 
20 ewt. As the weight of the load presses directly down on the top of the 
rail, only sufficient strength is required to resist any permanent bending of the 
rail. For trucks loaded up to 30 ewt., a 12-lb. or 14-lb. section is employed, 
according to the amount of traffic per day. The 14-Ib. section is also strong 
enough for bogie trucks carrying a 4-ton load. The Mono-rail is intended as 
an intermediary between carts and the lightest of double-rail systems It 
would appear to be essentially a system for small traffic, and the limit of its 
economical working varies from 75 to 125 tons per day, according to local 
conditions. Its chief value and economy are found where long distances have 
to be traversed and the traffic only amounts to a few thousand tons per annum. 
Tn such cases, the cost of transport, where effected by native porters or mules, 
can be reduced as much as 80 per cent. The average cost of transport varies 
from 1d. to 13d. per ton per mile. 
This system is already working in many parts of the world, and favourable 
teports have been received of its working and the economy effected. 
The longest line, 70 miles, is in Brazil, where the system is employed for 
connecting a new mining district with the coast. 
Tt is stated that sharp curves and rough alignment do not interfere with 
its efficiency or ease of running. Wo skilled labour is required. 
Such a line would doubtless prove of great value, if laid, say, between 
Gatton and the Queensland Agricultural College, or from the College station 
to the College itself. Judging from the simplicity of the whole affair, the cars 
and trucks could be made locally as cheaply as cane-trucks ona sugar planta- 
tion, whilst old rails could be utilised for the line. We understand that a short 
line can be seen working on a sugar plantation at Yeppoon, near Rockhampton. 
The trucks used are hand trucks, and are worked by kanakas. 
