The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-25
Although the scientific discoveries and

more interests inserted in the Monthly
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Although the scientific discoveries and mechani-
cal inventions of the last fifty years are almost
countless human ingenuity is not exhausted,
neither does it flag. In its unbounded sphere of
operation it is continually at work, improving
what is old, and producing what is new. Electric
teegraphs and sewing machines are among its
trumphs in the latter field, and hundred exam
pies might be cited of its successes in the former.
Among them, the various patents affecting ma
chinery of which steam is the motive power figure
prominently. The great development of the rail-
way system, which, from an experiment, suddenly
expanded into the most gigantic business of modern
times taxed to their utmost the activity and energy
of practical and scientific men. To prove that
steam engines could be used at all on railways
was the first thing to be done, and this was no
ordinary task. But for the INTEL gence and in
domitable will of GEORGE STEPHENSON the question
might have been an open one at this day Thanks
to the perseverance with which he encountered all
physical obstacles, and the sef-reliant courage
with which he faced the sneers and laughter of the
world, the obstruction which barred the first step
in the way of progress was surmounted. Since
that time obstacles have presented themselves
only to be Immediately overcome, and thousands
of miles of railway now traverse our country in as
many different directions Although many pay
no dividends, thereby failing to fulfil one of the
purposes of their constitution still men suppose
them finished. But finished they are not and
never will be, at least in our time. Numberless
improvements of every character are yet to be
made. They are suggested day by day. and the
demand that some means shall be found 10 effect
them, must be met. Brakes boilers, cinders,
springs, and Il dozen similar things, are among
the minor imperfections for which remedies are
sought and on which men can exercise their wits
There are greater problems, however, which only
knowledge and skill can solve. How to attain
the highest speed with security TO the passenger
and economy 10 the company; and how 10 obtain
the greatest power and save the wear and tear
which is consequent upon the use of enormous
weight. These are, among many others, impor-
tant inquiries, and men may push their investiga-
tons far into the dominions of science before they
can satisfactorily reply TO them. But they will
be answered sometime in the future. Silently and
patiently students and artisans are working and
now and then some great result first informs
the world of the nature of their researches
Such one has lately been made public, and I'M
less the announcement of its complete success is
premature, of which we confess our inability TO
Judge, the value Of the discovery cannot he over
rated. Every one is aware that the hold, or bite
OF the wheel upon the rail is in proportion to the
WEIGHT n tbn LAT. L.
attempts to draw too heavy a train, or 10 ascend
too steep grade, the wheels will merely revolve
upon the track without moving onward Indeed
1t was supposed when STEPHENSON was construct
ing his locomotive, that smooth wheels would al
ways slip upon smooth surface, unless the en-
gine was made so heavy as TO be practically use
less, and ne was advised that nothing would an
sWer but cog-wheels upon serrated rail- The the
orists We're mistaken. 1t has been necessary, how
ever, to prevent the friction of the wheel upon the
rail from being too easily overcome, to give
weight to the engine that would under other cir
cumstances, be needless and which of course in
creases its expense and the wear and tear of the
road. The discovery we have mentioned proposes
to obviate this difficulty by magnetizng the driv
ing wheel of locomotives. A patent for this new
process has been taken out, and the following are
said to be the results of an experimental trial re-
Gently made upon the Fitchburg road, near
Boston:
a. The track and the wheels were creased and the To-
connective chained to post; steam power then ap-
Piled without this attachment when it required 10 lbs
steam to the inch to slip the driving wheels with
wheels. " sup ''-e
H. On clean rail it required about lbs steam per
VIII ppi with U.tl
netism and the same kind of rail- So lbs steam
ILL., The power of the engine to draw loaded cars was
proved 10 be IN proportion to its increased adhesion the
,reck ltat is to say an unmagnetzed engine drawing
puI lorly loaded cars will, when magnetized, draw
seventy loaded cars)
NO more steam power is required to prope the engine
with the attachment than without one
Improvement can be attached to any locomotive
little expense and can be applied and kept in order
any engine man of ordinary intelligence
consists:
l. In the saving in the of locomotives one weigh
ing seventeen tons answering all purposes of one
weighing thirty TONS
II. In the great saving of wear and tear to the track
all railroad knowing that is the heavy locomotives
that wear the track The annual loss the railroad
erests OF the United States from this may stated
by millions"
If it be true, stated in the first two para
graphs that it required nearly twice the power to
make the magnedzed wheels lose their hold upon
the track, that it did to affect those not subject
eo 10 the process, the advantages of the improve
ment are obvious and incalculable. We sincerely
hope the patent will accomplish all that is claimed
for it. But in such case, let not ingenious men sup
pose, from the great step gained, that there is moth
ing still beyond and in the same direction, worth
the labor of pursuing. The horizon, which appa-
rently bounds the scientific field flies as we ap-
proach Every discovery, as it opens new ave-
nues to industry, discloses also new wants. and no
point is reached from which others equally at
tainable do not become visible. The railway sys-
tenn is, perhaps, in its infancy. The time may not
be far distant when trains may be with light
ming speed and at trifing cost and when the travel
lers will pay little and stockholders divide much
We await that happy era with impotence, even
though then, as now our lot may be with those
who End it more blessed to give than to re-
ceive.