A couple of planks leaning against the
platform at one side provided a convenient means for mounting to the top.
From the platform the trestle ran down at an easy incline to the ground.
It was made of 2x4-inch scantlings supported at intervals on posts driven
into the ground. The opposite posts were firmly braced with boards
fastened diagonally across them. The scantlings were to serve as rails,
and so we fastened them at the proper distance apart with ties nailed to
the under side. But to be sure that the rails were not too far apart or
too close together, the car was rolled over the track and the rails were
set to keep the tread disks of the wheels on them and the flange disks
just clear of their inner edges. The ends of the rails were cut off at an
angle, making a slanting joint, as shown in Figs. 301 and 302. They were
fastened firmly together by nailing a piece of board on the bottom and
also on the outer side.
[Illustration: Fig. 302. Joints of the Track.]
The Carpenter's Miter Box.
To make sure that the ends were all cut to the same angle, we made a
carpenter's "miter box." Two sideboards were nailed to a baseboard, making
a trough large enough for the scantling to be set in it.
Pages:
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249