Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-10-28
THE MCDONALD CAR DRAKE.

lHE McDpNALD CAh DhAhE.
The model and drawing of th. invention will be
exhibited in this city during he continuance CT the
Agricultural Fair, tor the examination Of engineers
aud practical mGchinists The greater security to
raj! road travel which has for its design gives this
Improvement universal interet. 1t is gratifying TO
ou. Stale pride to chronicle useful inventions made
by citizens Of Virgins bat is especially pleasing to
us that our Old end esteemed friend, Angus Z. Nc
Donald Of ila.ur hire, should have cGnribaed this
mos; va4abi4 i,rprovem cnt to the raj! road system
We have beer furnished with The sutjCned e1pls.
nation Of the design and scope OF this improvement
Rail road companies requested to send their en-.
gneers and lnachnsts with Instructions TO give the
invention their closest anu most critical scrutiny.
TO RAIL ROAD COMPANIES.
The Mcdonald Brake does not alter or in any way
inovate upon the brukes they now STAND. 1t is
simply an improved method Of working the present
brakes of rail road cars.
Before San improvement" on a system con be ap-
precia,ed the defects OF that system intended to be
remedied should be cleary y comprehended. The
great and admitted deficiency of the existing brake
sysem on rail- roads, is the absence OF all power, in
the emergency of sudden obstruction the track, or
cently to spring the brakes TIE iminent occasions
have bafed and continue to battle every pre-.
caution, until the present system is superseded by a
better. In the great majority of such disasters, the
danger ba, been in ample time to check the train
if all the brakes could be promptly applied.
The radical vice of the present brake system, is
that involves separate aud several agencies in its
execution. The man who sees the peril, does not
ward off the bow-he has to signal second man to
apply the brake. 1t is the time lost in obeying the
signal that ia Tho great vice Of the present system.-
Those moments wasted, have been and must continue
| to be fraught with fearful calamity.
THE McDoS,LD BaAKE strikes down this vital
error By a mechanical device, mathematcay true
in its action, and Of great simplicity perfect COM
! mand of every brake each car OF the train, 10
placed in the hand Of the engine driver The engine
driyer-who stands watch 10 guard the tram from
danger is-invesed with perfect power instantly 70
down with every brake on every wheel by this de'
vice he is made has orn brahssman ana ac'1 P''"'
rIy of his own impulse, and by no secondary agency
II is obvious that great desderatum Is achieved
when the rearding brake power OF the tram IS Ia
brakesmen and transferred directly to the man
., ,r lot ont" Collisions and sudden Instructions
dancers of unavoidable recurrence will no longer be
bevord remedy. This great reproach, from which
M rail road is exempt, will, in great measure be
removed.
II il claimed for this invention that it empowers
the engine driver by move Of bis hand to check
the momentum OF his train, ss suddenly as The IN
stant application Of the rubbers to each wheel on the
entire train can effect the purpose Thi' thought
is the ehortest period consistent with safety in such
an operation.
r, is not for emergencies alone that the Mcdonald
brake is Intended |; is for every dsy, and every
hour of the day. 1t gives the engine man the full
brake power Of the train. He can brake abruptly as
above stated; or gently, nt his pleasure. On sp-
preaching curve at speed Of ~ miles, if he WISH
es to ebate bis speed to twenty miles, be can aoa'e
till the point s passed and instantly resrme bis nrs'
speed. No time is lost in approaching p'auorn'-
and the train stops with perfect precision lne Pfa'
tical rail road man will understand the value oi "oN
ing the propellins power aud the retardng power
one hand The two powers will then always WORK
=; oo,os,,-,hv ar. coe often in most Injurious con-
Act.
rb;. ;nvsntiop has been tested on the Warrenton
,.,noh ro,d On short train and worked fully up to
i. nrsten,ons The attention of all rail road men
"a invited who may visit the Agricultural FAR al
Richmond during the present week.
DEMOCRATIC DEMONSTRATION AT AL
BANY.
ALBANY. Oct % There was grand Democratic
demonstration Ia this c::y this evening The torch
LIGHT nrocessiou was the largest seen here tar
eciipsipg in numbers the Polk demonstration in lSai
Chs greatest enthusiasm was manifested