The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-04
Pneumatic Pro, ul.ion.

The discoveries made with regard to the COM
pressibllity of air, and its expansive power when
in that condition, have been by an ingenious con-
trivance adapted to practical daily use in the in
vention of an automatic street car so constructed
as to be propelled entirely by compressed air con-
tanned within cylinder upon the roof Of the car,
operating upon q small engine resting on the for.
ward platform. and connecting thence with the
forward axle. The entire system is so simple and
safe, and, moreover, does away with so many Of
the Inconvenience now attending the passage Of
cars drawn by mules through the streets. that IL
commends itself heartily to every lover of pro-
gress and practical inventions.
By the method proposed one stationary engine at
the terminus of any given street railroad may com
press with receiver all the air requisite to sup
ply each car as II comes in. The power produced
by the expansion Of this air in the cylinders on
the roof Of each car is equivalent TO the power
expended in comprising it. Hence each car in
departing carries with it, so to speak, certain
amount Of power from the COMPRISING steam en-
CINE left behind it at the terminus. This amount
will be graduated by the capacity ofthe receivers
and The degree Of compression applied. as to be
sufficient to carry the the entire length Of its
route aud the return distance to the station.
Viewed also in the light Of economy, we have
the authority of those competent TO estimate, in
saying that the proposed system has great sd-
vantage over that now in vogue. Each car, 1t is
computed, will cost, If run upon the compressed
air plan, about S. 80 less daily than il propelled by
mule power. The cost of placing in operation
the machinery necessary to carry out the inven-
ton viii be, it is estimated about $500 less in any
given time than the cost Of capital involved in
feeding, caring for and keeping the requisite mum.
Der Of mules for the same number OF cars. If the
system.were brought into universal use, the CAPT.
tai now invested in some forty eight hundred
mules in New Orleans might be much more pro-
ftably devoted elsewhere. Mean while, hundreds
of mechanics would ind employment in making
and keeping in order the requisite me chinery and
the draft animals being sent upon the plantations
would become producers, where they are now
consumers only. -......
In the application of this machinery to street
cars, moreover, there would be, recoIlect, no
danger from fire or explosion, no annoyance from
smoke. The car would be completely under con.
troll Of the conductor and can be stopped as'soon,
or started sooner than when propelled by mule
power. And in warm weather, the exhausted air,
escaping from the receiver might be used very
agreeaby for yentilAting and cooling the intslior
of the car.
A practical trial Of this promising invention is
shortly 10 be made. We understand that one Of
the on the Tchoupitoulas street line has been
placed Of the disposal OF Major Valley, the inyen-
tor and patentee. As the matter looks to us now,
the system Is a good one, and destined to effect
revolution in street railway travelling.