The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-11-03
ARE LOCOMOTIVES DOOMEDo
Sf. Louis Inventor Who Wants TO
hun a Train with Electricity.

J, st. Louis Inventor Who Wants 1
9 Run a Train with Electricity.
St. Louis Republican.
. It's success! What? Why, the cleo
erle railway system, an application G
which DIR. Wellington Adams is the in
ventor, and St. Louis the cradle in whic]
: lts infancy was nursed, and which viii
nave reason to be proud of the yigor Il
Whlch 1t will arrive. A reporter callet
upon DR.. Adams recently in his macbin,
shop at the top of the building at Thirt
ana Vine streets, and found the inyento,
engaged in explaining to some lady visi
tors the workings of the electric railway
ana IN exhibiting the models of his cars
Whlch ne has how perfected and has ir
running order at his workshop. The
model OF the car, which embraces his in.
ventlon, was upon the floor running upon
prass tracks and connected with the place
where the electricity is generated by
means OF copper conductors running
between the tracks. The car is of light
and airy construction, having but one
door, and that at the side of the forward
part of the car, opening upon the place
where stands the genius of the train, who
Is at once conductor, brakeman and engi-
neer. The car is lighted by electricity.
the lamp and principle of the lamp being
also inventions of DR.. Adams.
. When fha a1rpouf xxyns ,,,,l,al
moved along the tracks at the rate of about
~ miles an hour, and could be slackened,
stopped Or reversed at the will of the one
holding the electric key. Near by was a
car-Wheel of the same size and construc-
tlon as are to be used upon the trains
which the doctor intends to run by his
system. This wheel was of about the
same dimensions as the ordinary car
wheel being, however, a little more bulky
IN width and lacking that appearance of
solidIty and homogeneity possessed by the
ordinary wheels of railway carriages.
Ii the wheel lies the secret of this inyen-
ton, for herein are contained all the me-
chanical devices by which the subtle force
is converted into motive power upon
principles as new as the devices which are
employed.
Near by the track was small compact
of coils and wheels connect
ed by belt with an ordinary mechanics
lathe. This arrangement was the doc
tors electric engine, which can be used
either as a power machine or to produce
the electric light. Further along was an
other electric engine, which had been used
as the sole source Of power in the machine
shop. This is the only place of the kind
IN the country where electric power is used
N every one of the operations of tie
shops. Being asked by the reporter where
IN were the salient differences between his
system and those already in use in various
places, DR.. Adams said that it would take
Dook, and large one at that, to answer
he questions. Primarily the differences
ay IN the fact that by means of this system
he item of locomotives was done away
With, the many difficulties attendant upon
he running of long trains were blotted
'ut, the less wear and tear upon the
racks, and less expense of construction of
ne road, in the matter of bridges, culverts,
tc., consequent upon the lightness of the
caches, and, above all others, the applica-
ION OF the power Immediately to the ,
'lace OF traction, namely, the wheels.
The system contemplates the founding !.
{ various central stations of engines for
re generation of electricity, which is con-
ucted along between the tracks, taken up
an attachment to the car, communicated .
the wheels, and the circuit completed :
trough the tracks. Each car is to run
having its own electrical appli- :
noes, and the conductor or engineer (who ::
re one and the same) will be able to use. !.
motors, the power of one, two, three :
tour wheels, at pleasure. The gain !
ad preservation of power by means Of :
us application to each wheel is almost :
lcalculable. The amount of power used :
IN be gagged to exactly meet the wants :
the car, and for general uses only one .
heel will be necessary to be lied into :
'quisition. :