The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-12
THE RAILWAY WORLD.
The National Exposition Now Fairly
Observation-Disclosures Immense,
Business Men sorely vexed with the Wa
bash-Trunk Lines Figuring for Con-
troll of the N, Y s. N. IL.
THE RAILWAY EXPOSITION.
Everythlng at Last Moving Nicely-A Wond-
erful Exhibit of Mans Skill.

EVerythIne at Last Moving Nicely-A Wond-
erful Exhibit of Mans Skill.
The National Railway Exposition at Chicago
A now fairly open and in all departments there
Il perfect order and everything moving smooth
". Every railroad man and person OF q me-
ehanical turn of mind should visit this exposl-
lion, and he will be fully repaid for all the
irOuble and expense 1t would occupy more space
than can we'll be given in this paper TO go INTO
details as regards what is to be seen, or to even
give the principal and most attractive displays.
One of the leading features Is
a train hauled by an electric engine,
the first ever moved wholly by electric
power. The engine is about the size of
the smallest switching ponies on Indiana roads,
and ishandled just as easily. 1t starts quick
and stops promptly. The most striking thing
about the engine is that thereis no blowing off
Of steam, no unpleasant smoke, no cinders, no
fire nor sparks thrown from the stack to set fire
to property along its track. The parties in
charge say that the speed which could be
obtained when required is almost unlimited.
The ngine is as odd in appearance the first
steam engine built, which is on exhibition also;
but in looking at it one is impressed with the
idea that In less time than the steam locomotive
has been brought to its present perfectness the
electric engine will become one OF the great
motive powers OF the world.
Another attraction Is four of the fret locOm0-
tives built in this country and in England. WIS.,
1tors to the exposition crowd around these
relics. In close proximity to these ancient fell
lows stands twenty or more standard and mar
row-gauge engines OF the most perfect build,
produced by the leading locomotive manufaoto.
Tfes of this country. The passenger and freight
englnes are nearly all OF the largest and heaV-
lest pattern. The Cooke Mast0don locomotive is
q monster. This engine and tender, empty,
weighs ninety three tons, and recently hauled a
train of twenty loaded cars, total weight 422
tOnA. grade lOD feet to the mile
on a curve of ten degrees. The Rogers, Bald
win, Brooks and Pittsburg locomotive works
each have fine products of their manufactures
on exhibition.
The Pullman Oar Company make fine dis
play. reclinng-chair and also a dining car
belonging to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
road are elegant affairs, and are looked through
by thousands OF sightseers. The twelve repre-
sentative car companies have full-sized cars on
exhibition. The Chicago & Atlantic and the
New York, West Shore IL Buffalo have several
fine coaches on exhibition. Then there are
snow plOws, construction plows and freight-cars
OF the leading car manufacturers In large num-
hers, car springs, steel rails, machinery of all
kinds used in building locomotives and cars.
Au extensive collection OF tue fish to be found
in the Northern lakes on the various railways is
another very attractive feature. These fish are
supplied with fresh water from an immense
fountain throwing several streams high up into
the air, the water then falling into the reser-
voir5.
Apparatus for lighting and heating ears is
displayed in large variety. There are 126 car
oourlers exhibition, and one rather enjoys
features of his coupler Those who are dissp-
pointed with the manner railroad men speak of
their couplers can readily be known from the
tenor OF their conversation, they perssting that
they have a good coupler, but never expect
TO get it introduced, they say, while our rail
roads are controlled by monopolies which think
a human life is of no value. On Saturday last
the railroad reporter of the Journal was present
when great commotion was noticeable among
the car-oOupler men, and inquiry 1t was
learned that coupler-inventOr, of New Jersey,
had sold his patent out to syndicate of rail
road men tor $4,000, cash in hand. The com
Rnents thereafter among the jealous coupler
men were very amusing, each claiming that his
coupler was better than the one sold, and all
Joined in the chorus that the sold was the
poorest coupler of the 1876 on exhibition.
An air signal deserves special
tlce. and drew crowds of railroad
men. The inventor claims that when the device
is placed at railroad crossings, curves any dan
ger point the road the possibility of collision.
teescOping or accidents of this character is
duerd TO a minimum. The signal is in operation,
and certainly seems to accomplish all that is
claimed for IT, Railroad officials, master me
chanics and train from all parts of the
Union are to be found examining the hundreds
of devices exhibition. and certainly no
has reason to regret the trouble and expense he