New-York tribune., 1878-05-25
RAPID Transit OYER THE BRIDGE.
THE ORDINARY GAUGE ADoPTED-TRAINs or PAL
ACE CARS.

THE ORDINARY GAUGE ADoPTED-TRAINs or PAL
ACE CARS.
The East River Bridge trustees yesterday
received reports from the Executive Committee and
from the special committee recently appointed in refer
ence TO rapid transit the bridge. The import0nt
points OF the report OF the Rapid Transit Committee
which was adopted rs follows:
First-Tho bridge il designed TO bear dead weight
OF 100 tons, assuming, Of course, that the load
Is equally distributed the eutire roadway This
weight equivalent that OF thirsix ordinary palace
cars each weighing thirty-ono tons
Serond-Your committee unanimously OF the opin.
ion that road OF the ordinary guagc Of four feet ogh
and half inches should be used, ana no other They
reach this conclusion because they believe that "A force
of wind involving the stability OF upon the road
way of extremely rare occurrence. They believe that
the force o such gaze az woud euGanget thc clrs VIII
be broken essened the trusswor OF the
bridge Even IN the possible event OF the partial over
accident would therefore not be attended with danger 10
T6ird-Tho computed strength Of the floor beams Of
the bridge Is equal 10 uniform load OF i've tons, with
factor of safety OF four; Iho LEANS LEANS are adatonaly
tr beams for limited distance. quite equal 10 the sup
uort of train OF 200 feet IN length. The
weight of palace sleeping car Il about twenty-five t0s
and the tendency Is toward reduction OF this weight
The direct stress of such car upon any one beam would
be the four beams elk tons and Quarter the Ghie
engineer that such weight of ear would he
practicable of transit without involving any objection
abe stress upon the bridge II train Of these
NOT of such length as To reduce the support derived
frDm
indcaed what believe to be the safe limit in train
of palace cars-Dct IN excess of three.
Iourth-Wc reject the pau Of steel or steel and iron
superstrcure involving great delay besides addi-
tlGnal expense, and possible failure.
IIh-anme alteration N the supCrstrlcturc may have
In be made to accommodate the height OF palace cars.
hnt This we believe be easily done the
orses Their use the bridge is contingent and re-
mole and necessary to consider the contingency
-, -,
Sirit-After n conference with the representatives
of bodies concerned III providing rapid transit tor
The two cities. find that Of them have IN view
any scheme whose adoption Will be prevented or inter
fered the carrying out OF the plans now before
ms so the COMMITTEES were not asked To consider
any question save that which Is properly exclusively
ownIthe completion OF the bridge structure under the
plans OF our engineers
In view, then. OF all the information we have OBJ
tanned, wo offer the follwiug resOutons
Rsoiued That gauge Of the railroad designed Tor rail
way transh0ud fixed at four feet eight and half inches
ResOiud be held practicable 10 transfer the design
the palace sleeping the bridge
der conditions already stated and that the stress Of the
car distributed two more beams provided that
no one train should consist OF greater number OF than
three.
The trustees also adoped specifications for $500 tons
of for the superstructure, and extended the time
for receiving bids until 15 This Is the last
tract Of Importance TO be awarded. The amount In
volved is between 100000 and So0o,OOo