FIRST TRIAL OF A TRAMWAY ENGINE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3212, 24 July 1878, Page 3

FIRST TRIAL OF A TRAMWAY ENGINE.

_». (Wellington Post, July 20.) . The first official trial of the new tramway engines was made yesterday afternoon, when steam was got up and the engine tested in the presence of Mr M'Gregor, the Assistant Inspector of Machinery for the Colony. Mr J. R. Davies, Engineer to the Tramway Company, and several directors and shareholders of the company were present on the occasion. The trial took place in the engine sheds and sidings, at the Adelaide road terminus, shortly after 4 o'clock. The result was a triumphant success in every way, the working of the engine surpassing even the highest expectations which had been formed. Engine No. 1 — for some reason rather absurdly named "Florence" — was the one experimented upon. From the time of the fires being lighted, it took only 45 minutes for a pressure of 701bs of steam to be generated, while the consumption of fuel was exceedingly small. -The engine was started, and almost immediately attained a speed of six miles an hour, without any jerk or shaking, the starting being effected with the utmost possible smoothness. After running about 20 yards the order was given to stop, and the engine was brought to a dead standstill within less than her own length by the mere operation of shutting off the steam and applying the break, which is worked by the driver's foot, the leverage being so powerful, and tlie application so prompt, that a very ■ slight pressure on the brake-pedal is sufficient to check the way of the engine. Several starts and stoppiges were made, in every case with the same ease, quickness, and smoothness. The machinery worked beautifully, and excited general admiration by its high finish and thorough excellence in all respects, being equal to that of the finest railway locomotive. The smoke was almost imperceptible, and as the funnel scarcely rises above the tank which extends over the whole surface of the roof of the " cab " in which the engine is enclosed, there is nothing in the way of a smoking chimney to frighten horses. The escape of exhaust steam is provided against with the utmost care. The whole steam can be condensed when necessary, the condenser acting for three hours without requiring- to be replenished with cold water, even when the highest steam pressure is used, while at an ordinary pressure it would act for four or live hours. It is not necessary, however, to use the condenser always, for in unfrequented parts of the road the engine can husband her condensing resources, by discharging the exhaust steam up the funnel, thero being an ingenious provision to prevent the escape causing any noise such as is caused by the " beat" of a railway locomotive, while directly a horse should come in sight the whole exhaust steadi can be diverted instantly from the funnel and turned noiseless and invisible into the condenser. Thus the promised attributes of these engines— absence of noise, or visible fire or uteam — appear to have been fulfilled most, thoroughly and faithfully by the maker., Messrs Merry weather and Co, and the tramway bids fair to be tlie great success and public convenience which its enterprising projectors and promoters always have hoped and predicted.