The Examiner. MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1899. PERFECTION OF THE LOCOMOTIVE.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XVII, Issue 2946, 17 April 1899, Page 2

The Examiner. MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1899. PERFECTION OF THE LOCOMOTIVE.

Since the days when Stephenson sent at "the rate of 12 miles an hour at the trial which inaugurated the railway as a mode of conveyance, the development of the locomotive has been in steady progress. The gifted genius whose fertile brain conceived the first locomotive with its following train held the opinion that speed was only limited by the strength of the material available for the construction of locomotives and rolling stock generally, and offered to run trains at 100 miles an hour if provided with strong enough material. That rate of speed has not been quite attained, but every new development in the locomotive sees a nearer approach to it. To America, the land of big things, belongs the honor of breaking the record for speed, with a new type of locomotive, the most notable improvement upon which were invented by a German resident in the United States, Instead of having the motive machinery at one end, as in the ordinary locomotive, the new type has driving parts at fche centre- The i advantages of this system of connec--1 tion are said to be that the locomo--1 tive does not oscillate, and is strongly attracted to the metals. This locomotive, now running on the Balti-more-Ohio line, has achieved the speed of 82 miles an hour, and so successful hftV/3 the trials been that it is to be taken as the pattern for future locomotives by that railway company. Another improvement is a contrivance by means of which the usual smoke-stack is abolished, and transformed into draught and outlet for exhaust steam. By this means perfect combustion is attained, and smoke and sparks are d.one away .with. Besides, this up-to-date locomotive is said to be stronger, lighter, and more economical in working than any other type of engine. Within 18 miles of the speed considered attainable by Stephenson, who could be bold enough to say that 100 miles an hour will not yet be reached by the steam locomotive ! But, as in ocean traffic, every additional mile over existing rates of speed may be gained at too great cost, for the increase of speed js not potnmeppurate with the increase of power employed. The resistance of the atmosphere is a factor that cannot be overlooked. Wind moving at 82 miles an hour constitutes a hard gale, approaching hurpjcftn** force, and 100 miles an bour is a full blown hurricane. TheiC-loto it would be highly dangerous to dive a train at that speed against an ordinary breeze, lot alone in the teeth of a gale. From one cause and another we may take it that the limit of speed under existing conditions has been nearly reached, and that befoee there is any great accesion of speed to that of the fastest expresa trains there will haye to be a reconstruction of the railway system. .