The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-16
MASTER CAR BUILDERS CONVENTION.

Master Car Builders' Meeting in Richmond
Important Subjects ConsiGercd-Improve-
mcnts I'm Heating and Vcnt;lating Cnrs--
Lcsscning the Weight of Passenger Coaches
COLLATION. ut the Trcdcaar Iron Works.
RICHMOND, Va. June 10. 1871.
In the Master Car Builders Convention several
important subjects were discussed, and but few
acted upon The ventilation or heating OF cars occu-
pied the greater portion OF the morning. but without
adopting any plan the subject rccommitted, to
he reported upon at the next annual meeting.
A report stating that the deadwelghts could not
be lcssened, following QUE the ordinary design OF
passenger and freight cars, until the loads were de-
creased and lighter locomotives put on the train
occasloned lengthy discussion.
Mr.. CAREY, OF the Harlem road, suggested
coupling bar to extend the entire length OF the train
on which the train would oscilate as one car. lie
thought the responsibility OF this rested the
master car builders.
Mr. SMITH, OF the Erie road, said that their road
hao recently reduced the weight OF coaches one.
eighth. they were now building coaches weighing
filty.three thousand pounds They reduced their
deadweights by using the very best or refined IRON
Tney had not attempted TO reduce the weight on
Mr. LOCKWOOD, of the Camden and Amboy road,
said that company now building coaches iorty-
two feet long, which weighed from twenty-six
Thousand five hundred to twenty-seven thousand
pounds. Their freight cars weighed thirty.twO
thousand pounds and they would safely carry o
weight OF tweDty-nine thousand pounds.
ISOLATION build freight Car twenty.eiRht by nine
/! feet, with eight wheels, light could be done,
and report the size, weight aud running Of the
| to the next convention
The PRESIDENT Thought the suggestion perfectly
| feasible onet and one which was eminenuy prac-
| tea.
resolution was passed requesting the superin-
tendcnts OF the different railroads to allow the mas
ter car builders to make such cars experiments
Mr.. FRY, OF the Grand Trunk Railroad, Canada.
thought that 1t would be best TO have some general
design by which these cars should be built.
MI. VAN HOUTEN moved that the report OF the
committee be adopted which was unanimously
done.
Mr. BAKER OF the New Jersey TRANSFORMATION
on Platforms and Couplings, which was adopted,
recommending that the different roads adopt some
standard Tor the height from the track to the top
OF the platforms and the centres Of me bump.
ers or couplings. THIS would do away with
a great deal OF the danger OF one car
riding the platform OF another The nearer the plat
be and the better able to resist the strain shock
Of sudden stOppage They recommend that tile
couplings be made so that they can be fastened close
together aud with as little play as possible. They
also recommend the adoption OF safety chains to be
used In OF the breaking OF q coupling.
The Committee on inks and Pins recommended
the use OF those now used by the Pennsylvania Gen.
tral Railroad. but the report laid on the table.
was allowed until next session TO report.
A resolution recommending that the draw bar,
the distance from the top OF the rail TO the centre
or the couplings. b0tn for freight and passenger
cars be fixed at two leet nine inches was adopted.
The Association mis- evening visited the Tredegar
Iron Works, where they partoOk OF a handsome
collation. anu expressed theHselves much pleased
with the great capacity and enterprise OF that
establishment
Alter the transaction OF q mass OF unimportant
business this evening the Association went into the
election OF officers for The ensuing year, when the
Convention adjourned " meet at st. Louis ON the
l4th OF June, 1872