US1703716A - Railroad crossing - Google Patents

Description

l.. T. Bor'ro RAILROAD cnossrm'.

Feb. 26, 1929.

Fil-ed Kay 28, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 N f#- i I Feb. 26, 1929.

L. T. BOTTO RAILROAD cnossING Filed May 28, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet CTI Patented Feb. 26,1929.

UNITED STATES LOUIS T. BOTTO, OI` SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR 0F Abits-Ham To nEWIs o.

VOGELSANG, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

RAILROAD CROSSING.

Application led May 28,

This invention relates to railroad crossings and has for its object to provide a device more simple in construction and more eliicicnt in use than those heretofore proposed.

lVith these and.; other objects in view the invention consists' in the novel details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully hereinafter disclosed and. particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views,-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete crossing;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the railroad or main track adjacent the crossing; l

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the joints or rail intersections of the crossing;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken as on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;v

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the outside member of a pair of castings forming a part of the joint of the railroad crossing;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the inside or gauge member of said pair of castings;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the member shown in F ig. 6 as seen from the side thereof adapted to contact with a rail of the track; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a crossing made in accordance with this invention and illustrating the angular adju'stability thereof.

n order that this invention maybe the better understood it is said that with here` tofore known types of crossings, it has been necessary to provide special track sections which have been quite costly of manufacture and requiring expensive maintenance. In addition to this, it has been necessary to cut out a portion of the rails of the existing track in order to install the special casting of the crossing. These costly operations and constructions, as well as other well known undesirable features, are entirely eliminated by the present invention as will be apparent from the following description thereof.

ln the drawings 1 and 2 designate the rails of the main or existing track, such as that of a steam railroad, secured in the usual 1927. Serial No. 194,944.

manner to the ties 3. For the purpose of more clearly illustrating the invention only a small section of these rails is shown, but it is to be understood that these rails may be of the usual length, or in other words it is immaterial where the oints in said rails occur, although it is preferable to not have a joint in either of the railroad rails occur Within the crossing or as closely adjacent thereto as to interfere with the joint castings presently to be described.

lVhen it is desired to establish a crossing of the railroad track, the rails 1 and 2 are loosened from the ties and then have .nserted thereunder a pair of base plates 4 and 5, one for each rail of the crossing track, such for example as that of an electric railway. n These plates, which are parallell spaced 1n conformity with the gauge of tfie crossing track and disposed in accordance with the desired angle of intersection with the main track as well as secured in any suitable manner to the roadbed, are preferably made of steel, of a width considerably greater than the rail, of a length greater than the gauge of the track under which they are placed extending to either side thereof a suitable distance, which in practice has been found to vary from two to eight or more feet accoi-ding to conditions such as nature of the roadbed, vehicular weights carried over the tracks, ete. Also under the main or railroad rails 1 and 2 are inserted sectional base' plates of a thickness equal to the base plates 4 and 5, so that the top surfaces of all the base plates will lie in substantially the same plane. That is to say, under the rail 1 is disposed the base plate section 7 having an end thereof precut to contactingly abut a lateral edge of the base plate 5. Between the base plates 4 and 5 under said rail 1 is then inserted an intermediate base plate section 8 the ends of which are so cut as to conform and contact with the inner lateral edgesA of the base plates 4 and 5. Then under said rail 1 is inserted the third base plate section 9 having an end adapted to contactingly abut the outer lateral edge of the base plate 4 all as will be clear from Fig. 1. The base platesections 7, 8 and 9 are of the same material as the base plates 4 and 5 and the sections 7 and 9 are of a length to extend from the crossing a distance substantially equal to thev extension of the base plates 4 and 5, although they may extend further, or not so far, in accordance with the conditions above enumerated. Thenv under the rail 2 there are disposed base plate sections 1.0, 11 and 12 in exactly the same manner the electric railway or crossing tracks there will be disposed continuous base plates, and under the steam railroad or main rails there also will be disposed continuous base plates made of welded sections, the shape and length of said sections being determined by the positions of the base plates for the crossing track. n

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 5, and 6, there is positioned on the base plates for the two tracks, a pair of castings adapted to form the joint between the two tracks. In other words, there is provided a casting, generally indicated by the numeral 15, d1sposed along the outslde of the main ra1l 1 in alignment with one of the crossing ra1ls, and on the inside or gauge side of said maln rail there is disposed a slightly different casting, generally indicated by the numeral 16, also in alignment with the same crossing rail. In like manner at each of the points of intersection of the rails of both tracks there is provided a pair of castings exactly similar to the pair 15 and 16, all as will be readily understood from the drawings.

The casting 15, see Fig. 5, is provided with a base comprising a substantially semi-circular flange 20 which is adapted to lie in Contact with the upper surfaces of the base plates for the rails of both tracks. Along what may be termed the diametric or straight edge limit of this base there is provided a substantially vertically disposed wall 21 having a surface 22 constituting the bottom thereof which is formed to lie in contact with the upper surface of the outer flange of the rail 1. The wall 21 is further provided at the top with a surface 23 formed to snugly fit the under side of the outer portion of the ball 24 of said rail 1. The wall 21 is still further provided with surfaces 25 and 26 for its sides, the former being vertically disposed and adapted to lie within the rail 1, and the latter being angularly disposed to the former whereby the lower portion of the wall 21 is made thicker than the upper, thereby strengthening the casting. The remainder of the casting 15 constitutes an integrally formed solid upstanding turret or hub 26 of substantially semi-circular shape and formed concentrically with the base flange 20. The straight edged side 27 of said turret lies in a vert1cal surface adapted to contact with the vertical side portion of the ball 24 of the rail 1. The casting may -be provided with elongated slots 30 1n the end portions of the wall 21, having associated therewith an enlarged recess or pocket 31 for the reception of a securing bolt which is adapted to pass through apertures provided therefor in the web portion of the rail as will be readily understood. The vertical height of the turret 26 is made equal to the total height of the rail of the crossing track, minus the radial dimension of the flange of the wheel of the vehicle traversing said crossing track for a purpose that will presently appear.

As stated above, the casting 15 is positioned along the rail 1 at the point where a rail of the crossing track forms the intersection, With the base flange 20 resting upon the base plates of the respective rails. There is then provided a spacing plate 35 in parallel relation with and on top of the base plate 5, one end of which is arcuately cut to fit the curvature of the edge of the base flange 20 of the casting 15, as clearly indicated at 36 in Fig. 3. The rail section 37 of the crossing track is then fitted in place on top of the spacing plate 35 with its extremity abutting the curved side of the turret 26 of the casting 15, after which the rail 37 together with the spacing plate 35 and the base plate 5 are all secured in any suitable manner to each other or to the ties of the roadbed. In this respect it is to be observed that the extremity of the rail section 37 overlies, for a considerable distance. the base flange 20 of the casting thereby preventing said casting when in position from a vertical upward movement, this movement further being thwarted by the ball 24 of the rail 1 overhanging the top of the wall 21 of said casting. 38, which is an exact duplicate of the castin 15,.is interposed between the end of the ot er rail section 39 of the other crossing track and the rail 1 of the main track, the rail section 39 having disposed therebeneath a spacing plate 40 superimposed on the base plate 4, the parts 39, 40 and 4 also being secured to each other in any suitable manner, the spacing plates 35, and 40 being duplicates as well as the castings 15 and 38.

The casting 16, forming the other member of the pair constituting the joint of the crossing, is very similar to the casting member 15. That is to say, it has a base flange 45, a wall 46, surfaces 47, 48, 49 and 50 which are exactly the same in construction as the parts 20, 21, 22, 23, 25 and 26 of its companion member 15. It may also be provided with elongated apertures 51 with associated pockets 52 exactly similar to, and adapted to register with, the apertures 3() and pocket iid In similar manner a casting Cil lthe crossing, there will be ing castings.

31 of the companioncasting 15. The turret 53 of the casting 16 is of the same general dimension as the turret 26 of the other casting, but it differs in shape therefrom in that it is provided .with a cut-away portion 54 parallel to the diameter thereof so that when the casting 16 is secured in place in provided a space or gap 55 between the top portion 56 of said turret and the ball 24 of the rail of the main track to allow for the uninterrupted assage of the flange 57 of the wheel 58 of tie railroad vehicle riding thereon, see Fig. 2.

In further construction of the crossing, a casting 16 is positioned along the rail 1 in registry with the casting 15 on the opposite side thereof. with the base flange 45 of the casting 16 resting upon the upper surfaces of the base plates of the respective tracks. There is then provided along the inner or gauge side of the rail 2, a casting 60 exactly similar to the casting 16.aud in line,with the base plate 5. Between the castings 16 and 60 there is then placed a spacing plate 61 having its ends arcuately formed to snugly fit the curved edges ot' the baseA flanges of the castings 16 and 60. Then on top of this spacing plate is positioned the rail -section 62 of the intersecting railway and the whole firmly secured in any suitable manner toeach other and to the roadbed, it being understood that the ends of the rail section 62 will abut the curved sides of the turrets of the adjoin- In like manner the casting 65 exactly similar to the casting 15 is provided on the outer side of the rail 2 of thel main track, and to this is fitted plate 66 and a rail section 67 having ends formed to fit and abut the casting 65, the entire construction providing rail sections 37, 62 and 67 which will be in alignment and constitute one of the rails of the crossing track. In this connection it should be stated that each pair of casting members will be positioned so as to constitute a concentric hub joint, or in other words the two substantially semi-circular turrets will produce a circular turret construction when the castings are in proper position along the associated rail, as clearly brought out in Fig. 8.

In exactly similar manner, the castings 70, 7l, and 72 of the other rail of the crossing track, and which are duplicates respectively of the castings 16, 60 and 65, are provided together with rail sections 73 and 74, as well as spacing plates 75 and 76, all of which are duplicates of the rail sections 62 and 67, and spacing plates 61 and 66 thus completing the crossing. In this connection and with particular reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the two rails of the intersecting railway tracks at the crossing are formed by a plurality of rail sections of the crossing casting,

a spacing` parallelly disposed and in alignment, said plurality comprising a sect1on intermediate the continuous rails of the main tracks, and laterally ositioned sections extending away from said) main tracks.

The chief advantage of such a construction as above described is well brought out in Fig. 2 wherein it will be seen that there is provided a crossing which can be quickly fabricated, requiring no cutting or deforming of the main track to be crossed, and of Such construction as will provide a substantially uninterrupted passage of the wheels of the vehicle on either track. That is t0 say, it is evident from said ligure that a wheel such as 58 on the railroad or main track will readily pass the crossing uninterruptedly because the flange 57 of said wheel will freely pass through the space 55 while the tread of said wheel will freely ride the top surface of the undeformed rail. Inl said figure there is shown a portion of a wheel of a vehicle von the crossing or intersecting track, moving 'in the direction of the arrow with the tread of said wheel riding the top surface of the ball of the rail section 37 and the vflange 8l of said wheel extending below said top surface. As the wheel '8O approaches the rail 1 of the main track it will be observed from Fig. 2 that the extreme outer edge portion of the flange 81 will ride on the top surface of the casting 15 as indicated at 82 by the heavy dot and dash line because said top surface lies in the tangential plane of said flange, due to the constructional dimension of the casting member. From this surface, the edge of the flange will then approach and ride over the top surface of the rail l which is in the same horizontal plane with the top surface of the casting 15 so that up to this point there will have been no jar or jolt caused to the wheel 80. lines then illustrate the passage of the wheel 80 over the space or gap 55 with which the casting 16 is provided and which is only of a suflcient width to receive the flange of the wheel of the railroad vehicle 58. After crossing this gap, the wheel 80 of the railway vehicle will then ride over the top surface of the casting 16 which likewise is'in the same horizontal plane with the top of the rail 1, and from this casting 16 the wheel 80 will pass onto the intermediate rail section 62 during which move` ment the tread of said wheel will smoothly ride onto the top surface of said section, due to the fact that the top of the casting 16 is disposed below the top surface of the section 62 a distance equal to the radial dimension of the flange of the wheel 80. It thus results that the only impact or jar to the wheel 80 will occur when it passes the gap 55, which is of a width so small in The thin dot and dash relation to the arcuate dimension of the flange of the wheel, that said impact is minimized to a degree substantially negligible. The Wheel then travels in its continued movement to and over the castings 60 .and 65 and the railroad rail 2 in the same manner as just described and' ultimately reaches the rail section 67 disposed on the other side of the crossing.

Due to the construction of the parts, in actual practice it has been found unnecessary to bolt the casting members t0 the rails of the track being crossed except where the angle of crossing is of a small degree, or where the crossing is made at a point of curvature the radius of which is relatively small. In other words, by the use of these castings special crossings may be eliminated entirely because crossings at any angle between 40" and 90 can be fabricated from the same castings, due to the universal or planary adjustable angularity made possible by the novel design of the casting, and further due to the fact that the castings are maintained in osition by fitting within the arcuate ends of) the spacing plates. Fig. 8 particularly discloses the adjustability or flexibility of such a crossing as above described, wherein it will be seen that no change is necessary in the castings due to the angularity of the crossings, the only changes necessary being in the cutting and forming of the sections of the base plates under the rails l and 2 of the tracks being crossed. Guard rails, not illustrated, may or may not be applied Ias conditions demand.

Other features of this invention will be apparent but may be stated briefiy as follows. The castings may or may not be welded or otherwise rigidly fixed to the crossing rails after placed in position, and the castings are in no way secured to the main track rails except where the degree of curvature or special conditions demand this securement. On the other hand, the castings simply fit against the ball and web of the main rails, rest upon the base of said rails, and cooperate in such a way with the spacing plates of the rail sections as to simulate a ball and socket joint, thus allowing great flexibility ofthe crossing in general. The main rails can be removed or replaced without dismantling or disturbing any part of the crossing except the rails which are to be removed or replaced. The main rails are not rigidly fixed to any part of the crossing, thereby permitting what is commonly known as creeping of said rails Without affecting the alignment of the crossing itself with respect to the crossing. By the words rigidly fixed in the preceding sentence it is meant that the main rails are not welded or in any other way made an integral part of the crossing. However this expressly does not exclude such methods of attaching rails as clips, etc., or such methods which permit movement of the rail to a limited extent in the direction in which it is laid.

The main rail is left in its virginal state, uncut and not deformed in any manner so that railroad trains can be moved over these crossings with the same degree of smoothness and speed as over any other part of the adjacent track. This eliminates all impacts from railroad engines and cars, which .are usually very heavy, thus materially prolonging the useful life of the crossing and eliminating much costly maintenance. The crossing is flange-bearing across the main rail, with only one inappreciable impact, which is encountered in crossing the flange-way or gap 55 out in the casting to permit the unimpeded passage of the flanges on the railroad engine and car Wheels. The crossing is elastic in every member permitting such deflections as are desirable in the passage of heavy trains. The castings are made in such a way and of such material as permits any part of it which may have become worn (or for any other reason) to be built up by the ordinary methods of welding. That is to say, the castings may be made solid and of cast steel. The castings permit the fabrication of a composite, flexible, flange-bearing crossing without disturbing in any way the continuity andintegrity of the main or railroad track.

The castings will of course be made smaller or larger as demanded by the rail to be used in the crossing track, and will further be made in accordance with the shape and size of the main track to be crossed.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and combinations of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore it is .not desired to be limited to the foregoing disclosure except as may be demanded by the claims.

What is claimed is 1. In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprisin a pair of uninterrupted rails; a secon track comprising a plurality of rail sections; and means disposed between an uninterrupted rail and a pair of rail sections adapted to adjustably permit a substantially impactless passage of a vehicle wheel on the latter over the former through any desired angle.

2. In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of uninterrupted rails; a second .track carried by a base frame and comprising a plurality of rail sections unconnected with respect to each other except through the base frame; and means disposed between an uninterrupted rail and a pair of rail sections adapted to permit a substantially impactless passa e of a vehicle wheel on the latter over the ormer said rail sections cooperably adjustable with respect to said means to provide a crossing of variable angle.

3. In a-railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of uninterrupted rails; a second track carried 'by a base frame and comprising a plurality of rail sections unconnected with respect to each other except' through the base frame, and unconnected to said uninterrupted rails; and plural means disposed between an uninterrupted rail and a pair of rail sections adapted -to permita substantially impactless passage of a vehicle wheel on the latter over the former said rail sections cooperably adjustable with respect toA said means to provide a crossing of variable angle.

4. In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of uninterrupted rails; a second track comprising a plurality of rail sections the lane of whose treads lies above the plane ci) the treads of the uninterrupted rails; and means disposed 'between anuninterrupted rail and a pair of rail sections adapted to permit a substantiall impact-less passage of a vehicle wheel on tlie latter over the former said rail sections angularly adjustable with respect to said means.

5. In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossing track comprising a plurality of rail sections; a base for said sections including spacing means whereb the treads of said sections are elevated above the treads of the underformed rails; and means to adjustably permit the passage of a vehicle wheel on the crossing track over the underformed rail through any desired angle without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail.

6. In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossing track comprising a plurality of rail sections unconnected to said undeformed rails; a base for said sections including spacing means whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above the treads of the undeformed rails; and means to adjustably permit the passage of a vehicle wheel on the crossing track over the undeformed rail through any desired angle without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail.

'7.v In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the cross-l ing track rails; a crossing track comprisin r a plurality of rail sections; a base for sai sections including spacing means whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above vthe treads of the undeformed rails; and

.the treads l of sage of. a vehicle wheel means confined by said spacing means to adjustably permit the passage of a vehicle wheel on the crossing track over the lundeformed rail through any desired angle without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail.

8. In a railroad crossing the combination of a-track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossing track comprising a plurality of rail sections; a base for said sectlons including spacing means whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above the undeformed rails; and fiange supporting means to permit the pason the crossing track over the undeformed rail without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail saidr'il-'sections 'angularlyV adjustable with vrespect tov said means.

In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossing track comprisin a plurality of rail sections; a base for sai sections including spacing means whereby the treads of saidsections are .elevated above the treads of t-he undeformed rails; and means disposed between an undeformed rail and a pair of rail sections but unsecured to said undeformed rail to permit the passage of a vehicle wheel on the crossing track over the undeformed rail without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail.

10. A fabricated crossing including a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossing track comprising a plurality of rail sections; a fixed base for said sections including spacing means whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above the treads of the undeformed rails; and means unsecuredby said undeformed rail, but fixed to the base frame of said sections to permit the passage of a vehicle wheel on the crossing track over the'undeformed rail without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail.

11. A fabricated crossing including a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossingtrack rails; a crossing track comprisin a plurality of rail sections; a fixed base gir said sections including spacing means whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above the treads of the undeformed rails; and means adapted for use through a wide range of crossing an le said means unsecured by said undeforlne rail but fixed thereby to permit the passage of a vehicle wheel on the crossing track over the undeformed rail without interfering with the passage of a 'vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail.

12. A fabricated crossing including a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossing track comprising a plurality of rail sections; a fixed base for said sections including spacing means whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above the treads of the undeformed rails; and means adapted for planar adjustment relatively to'said sections, said means unsecured by said undeformed rail but xed thereby to permit the passage of a vehicle wheel on the crossing track over the undeformed rail Without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail. n

13. In a crossing assemblage the combination of a track comprising a main rail undeformed at the intersection with a crossing track rail; and means constituting a crossing of said main rail, said means adjustably coacting with a pair of rail sections and a support therefor to provide a second track forming with said first named track a crossing intersection of any desired angle within the limits of a relatively wide range.

14. In a crossing assemblage the combination of a track comprising a main rail undeformed at the intersection with a crossing track rail; and means unsecured thereto but cooperating therewith constituting a crossing of said main rail, said means adjustably coacting with a pair of rail sections and a support therefor to provide a second track forming with said first named track a crossing intersection of any desired angle within the limits of a relatively wide range.

15. In a crossing assemblage the combination of a track comprising a main rail undeformed at the intersection with a crossing track rail; and means constituting a crossing of said main rail, said means adjustably coacting with a pair of rail sections and a support therefor and unsecured thereto to povide a second track forming with said st named track a crossing intersection of any desired angle within the limits of a relatively wide range.

16. In a crossing assemblage the combination of a track comprising a main rail undeformedat the intersection with a crossing track rail; and means constituting a crossing of said main rail, said means adjustably coacting with a pair of rail sections and a. support therefor and unsecured to both of said sections as well as to said main rail to provide a second track forming with said rst named track a crossing intersection of any desired angle within the limits of a relatively wide range.

17. In a crossing assemblage .the combi-nation of a track comprising a main rail undeformed at the intersection with a crossing track rail; and means constituting a unified crossing of said main rail, said means coacting with a pair of rail sections and a support, therefor and entirely unsecured by said undeformed rail but maintained in position by said sections, said support, and said main rail to provide a second track forming with said first named track .a crossing intersection.

18. A track crossing intersection characterized by the fact that the main track comprises a rail undeformed at the oint of intersection, and the crossing track 1s adjustably ada ted to form with the main Vtrack any desire angle within the limits of a wide range through the instrumentality of a pair of members adapted to carry a vehicle wheel across said undeformed rail.

19. A track crossing intersection characterized by the Ifact that the main track comprises a rail undeformed at the oint of intersection, and the crossing trac is adjustably adapted to form with the main track any desired angle within the limits of a Wide range through the instrumentality of a pair of members fixedly associated with said crossing track, said members adapted to carlry a vehicle wheel across said undeformed rai 20. A track crossing intersection characterized by the fact that the main track comprises a rail undeformed at the point ofintersection, and thecrossing track is adapted to form with the main track any desired angle within the limits of a wide range through the instrumentality of a pair of members unsecured to said main track but about which said crossing track may be adjustably positioned, said members adapted to carry a vehicle Wheel across said undeformed rail.

21. In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossing track comprising a plurality of rail sections ixedly superimposed on spacing means whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above the treads of the undeformed rails; a base xedly supporting said spacing means; and means disposed between an undeformed rail and a pair of rail sections, secured to the latter but unsecured to the former to permit the passage of a vehicle wheel on the crossing track over the undeormed rail without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undeformed rail.

22. In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of rails undeformed at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossin track comprisin a plurality of rail sections ixedly superimposed on spacing means whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above the treads of the undeformed rails; a base ixedly supporting said s acing means and passing under an unde ormed rail; and means disposed between an undeformed rail and a pair of rail sections secured 'to the latter but unsecured to the former to permit the passage of a vehicle Wheel on the crossing track over the undeformed rail without interfering with the passage of a vehicle Wheel on said undeformod rail.

9.3. In a railroad crossing the combination of a track comprising a pair of rails undelormcd at the intersections with the crossing track rails; a crossing track comprising a plurality ot' rail sections ixedly superlm-l posed on spacing means 'whereby the treads of said sections are elevated above the treads ol the undeformed rails, a base iixedly supporting said spacing means and passing under an undeformed rail but unsecured thereto; and means disposed between an undeformcd rail and a pair of rail sections secured to the latter but unsecured to the former to permit the passage of a vehicle Wheel on the crossing track over the undeformed rail without interfering with the passage of a vehicle wheel on said undei'ormed rail.

24. A railroad crossing comliirising` a frame made up ot' base plates, rail sections the spacin lof a relatively wide range said castings further adapted to eoactingly en age a rail of the track'beingr crossed 'where )y no deformation of said track rail is necessary at the crossing.

25. A railroad crossing comprising a. frame made up of base plates, rail sections and spacing means therebetween, the spacing means fixedly secured to each of the rail sections and to said base plates, and castings adapted to be secured to said rail sections in any desired angle Within the limits of a relatively Wide. range said castings further adapted to unseeuredly but coactingly engage a rail of the'track being crossed whereby no deformation of said track rail is necessary at the crossing.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

LOUIS T. BOTTO.

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