Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-02-16
LOCOMOTIVE RACE TRACK.
T Test of Speed and Endurance on McNil-
Ian Hill.

| Il Lest Oh speed ana endurance on McM1i-
! Ian Hill,
| Four Engines Contest-A Fair Test OFF,
| ciaI Announcement Tomorrow.
The great contest between giant iron
| horses, which has been so much talked of,
especially among railroad men, came off
yesterday. The race track chosen for the
contest was the hill beyond McMillan's Sta
ton, 10 miles from the city, and comprised
distance of 5000 feet, from the switch.
The maxium average grade is 69.2 feet to
the mile, but there are various irregular
tiles in the surface, and the last half of the
track has steep grades and short curves
There is 100 feet on which the grade Is 50
feet to the mile.
The start was made from the car she'd
about $50 o'clock with the private car Of
Maj. j. F. O'Brien, drawn by engine go,
engineer, VIM. Catlett, containing
Major O'Brien, general superintendent
and Maj. F. X. Huger, superintendent OF
the E. T., Va. 81 Ga. Railroad, together
with the judges, press representatives, and
other invited spectators. Three other en-
gines, which were to contest, followed. A
train of twenty-five heavily loaded 10000
pounds capacity coal cars had been placed
on the siding for use.
She following engines were drawn up On
the ground, brightly FURNISHED and in ex-
ceilent trim for the great test:
n. so, Baldwin ten wheeler, run by VIM.
Catlett
No 80, Rogers, ten wheeler, run by Matt
Franklin.
No. 81, Baldwin, Mogul, run by Sam.
Smith.
No. 70, Rogers, ten wheeler, run by Bob
Crowen.
All are comparatively new engines.
Mr. J. 3. Hoxsie, himself thoroughly
practical engineer, master mechanic
for several years, was selected
by Maj. Huger, on account of his superior
qualifications and entire disinterestedness,
to act as referee and was on hands in that
capacity. Messrs. Cullen, master mechanic
of the Nashville and Chattanooga Road, and
Fitting, of Philadelphia, both practical and
experienced men of more than ordinary ca
pacity, were chosen as the judges. These
three, together with Mr.. B. ].
Sitton, master mehacnic of the E.
T., Va & Ga. Road, occupied
each engine as it contested. Representa-
tives of both the Baldwin and Rodgers
works were also on the ground. Major
Huger and Major O'Brien each gave their
undivided attention to watching and taking
notes of the contest Mr. j. NJ Reams di-
rected the rear end of the train, and Mr..
Nick Long was starter. Many of the run
ners on the road and others were highly in
terested spectators.
The first effort was made with 20 cars,
and neither engine drew them to the top of
the hill. The next was made with IS, with
similar result. The 80 and SO each pulled
up II cars, and the 81 and
70 each took up 16 cars. But,
until the judges have rendered their decis
ion in the matter, we refrain from any de-
tails and facts of the run. This will show
accurately and with precision, which is en-
titled to the honors, and the de
cision will be given in our next
issue. 1t is matter of much more
than local interest, and on this account it is
necessary and desirable to give the accurate
figures and details. We may say that il
was acknowledged on all sides to be a very
fair and impartial trial. 1t is also proper tc
state in this connection, as we are Informed
by Mr. Huger, that the test was not be
tween the Baldwin and Rogers locomotives
as representative the two building com
panies-for both are companies O.
universally acknowledged merit-bu
ten wheel engines, to determine which o.
these two shall be adopted by the railroad
compa
The weather was all that could b,
desired. A connection was formed
by the telegraph line repair man
James Allison, and telegraph
Office was temporarily opened at tn.
station, operated by Mr.. John Boyd, from
Major Huger's department. Almost tn
entire day was put in with the test, and tn
company returned the city, being drawn b.
No. 80, engineer Matt. Franklin.
1t seems that everybody was deceive
about the length of time that would be con
sumed in the contest, and no dinner prepal
atoms were made. The village store at tn
station profted thereby, however, and did
rushing business in cheese and crackers.
We can, without hesitation, say that d.
Bulls Cough Syrup has given the best sa
;sfaction. We have sold an immense amour
| of during the past winter.