Chris is an engineer and makes all sorts of interesting things. He based this design on one made back in 1895 in France. It may be old but it’s still an excellent design and relevant to many applications still. No flat-tyres, easy to push, moveable, useful and fun – who wouldn’t want one of these in their garden, farmyard or woodland?
The rail is made from 30 x 10 mm flat-stock steel, standing up on the thin edge, welded to plates which are something like 70 x 150mm. They will be rust-treated next year when they can be dried out properly first.
The carriage is made from alluminium (because that’s what Chris had), but usually they would be made from steel too. The wheels are 100mm with a round groove in them. They have bearings fitted already and are usually used for large shed doors. The deck is just shuttering ply – cheap and easily replaced.
There’s no brake – just let go, and the carriage will tip to one side and stop.
Thanks to Chris Shilling and Winnie and Aishling for letting me film them.
You can read more about the original design by Caillet in ‘The Engineering Times’ Volume I & IV, 1899. Or in a booklet called ‘Caillet’s Patent Mono-Rail System’, by John L. Townsend. Available through The Narrow Gauge Railway Society.
R. Bance & Co. Ltd still make a modern version of this for running on mainline rail.
Canvey Island Heritage Site display a photo of their passenger-carrying monorail (now gone).
Ok, here are some important website links. Please check them out..
Here's Tim's amazing guitar machine..
https://www.chordelia.com
here's our online store where you can see some of the craft things we make and sell..
http://www.wayoutwestemporium.com/
and here's our Patreon page where you can see more of our plans and dreams..
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2761318&ty=h
Thanks!
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