Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-12-29
APALACE UN WHEELS.
PUilman's Practical! Demonstration Of tt
Luxuriousuess Of "A american Travel.

PUilman's Practical. Demonstration Of the
Auxuriousuess of american Travel.
Phil'a Press.
When the Pullman palace cars Queer
and President were exhibited at the Cen.
tennial exposition, it was generally con-
ceded that the highest art in Car building
had been reached. The drawing. room Cal
Alton. which reached this city yesterday
from Pittsburgh, and which was completed
few days ago at the company's shops, in
Pullman, ILL.,, is rs far superior to the
Queen and President in point of artistic
finish, as these magnificent coaches were
to their immediate predecessors.
The Alton is one of sixteen cars, which,
when finished will be of similar design
Exteriorly it at once attracts attention by
the panelling, the square plato glass win.
dows and the running gear. Tho pane's
are vertical, about two and a half inches
in width, and so placed in position that
they cannot warp under the hottest sun.
So perfect are the junctures that the side
Of the Car looks like one stretch of solid
plank grooved at regular intervals. The
windows are square and sot in mahogany
sasles. All the wheels of the Car are
made of paper, trimmed with steel, and run
under trucks, provided with springs,
which are ingeniously arranged to prevent
any lateral swaying of tho coach. The
Alton is equipped-as the others will be
with tho combined "Janney and Mile,
coupler" so that in case a car with a
"Janney" coupler strikes a railroad
where the Miller is in use either coupler
can be substituted in ninety seconds, BY
simply Withdrawing the king bolt below
the shoulder.
The scene inside the:car is one of simple
elegance. Tho designer has succeeded in
the difficult task of producing beauti
fully artistic effect, with worry few curves.
Everything, save the bottoms of the
berths in square, and even there the curv-
ing is very gentle. The entire car is
finished iu solid mahogany, and an effort
seems to have been made to use the most
beautifully grained wool obtainable. The
seats are upholstered in crimson plush,
and the floor is carpeted with dark pat.
termed Administer. A soft uniform light
is shed through the car by six brass
lamps, depending from wooden ceiling
tastefully frescoed after the Moorish style.
One of the most noticeable features in
the finish of the wood is the inlaid work
in the sides of the pieces which form
the division between the upper and lower
berths when in use. Olive, cherry.
walnut, maple, oak, ash and other hard
woods have been used to produce a series
of harmonious designs, resembling the
finest mosaic, and SO delicately are the
pieces blended, that at few feet thew 70
semble hand painting. At either end of
the main body of the car hang rich colored
raw silk curtains of the finest texture.
These curtains conceal from view the
smoking. room, cosy little boufs. and
gentlemen's dressing room and private
apartment with four berths at the othe r.
Each of the dressing rooms have glass roofs
through which light is obtained from the
lamp outside. This is an entirely new idea.
and is intended to do away with the odor Of
oil which made the old cars slightly uu-
pleasant. The little 6oufe next to the
smoking room deserves special mention.
It could appropriately be styled nnultuns
in paruo. There is the loveliest little side
board, with white marble top. and mir.
rors behind it that one would find a mag
nifcently appointed dwelling hand
some silver service of plate q silver
coffee urn and chafing dish combined, and
the most ingenious arrangements of
drawers. ice-chest, and bottle-box ever
seen. The car with all its appointments
cost trifle over S15, 600. and the CONVOY
If such term is allowable-is run be-
tween New York and Washington and
Florida, and on the Atlantic coast lines.