Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-08
TIE RAILWAY EXPOSITION.
Letter from the Record Unions" Core
spondent at Chicago.
CHICAGO, May 81, /:

SPonacAs as SAlC<S1.
CHICAGO, May 81, 1888.
Having only been in this busy and bus
ting city few days, have had but little
opportunity to gather much that would
interest your readers or be worthy OF
recording. Still no sooner than it took to
refresh my inner and outer man did de-
lay visiting the mammoth building devoted
to the exposition of railway appliances.
The main building and annex includes
500. 900 square feet, and in this is exhibited
every material article invented or used
heretofore. now or proposed to be, for the
manifold uses OF the railway. To specify
all OF these appliances would be tedious
and needless task, as so many of them, as
is usual, are Impracticable, while yet others
are OF doubtful value, and some may be
said to have their only value in their
novelty. But there are great many truly
useful inventions, which l shall, with the
help of those who are posted, inspect. l
am not little pleased to see that the in
ventions of A. j. Stevens, the Master Me-
chanic of the Central Pacific, receive
of some skillful mechanics, whose talk
overheard, while standing beside the new
"Mastodon, so-called by the railroad men
mere, the counterpart of the original one
he constructed in Sacramento. Near by
is one of Shsw's duplex locomotives, so
called because it has two cylinders on each
side, with double cranks, set in opposite
directions, and four parallel rods. The in.
ventor claims many advantages-which by
the way, are not conceded by other mechan-
ics-and asserts that his locomotive, with
light train, has run at the rate of seventy
miles an hour, a rate of speed that under
existing conditions have no ambition to
be carried at. A very extraordinary dis
play is made by the Otis Steel Company,
OF Cleveland, Ohio. They have one sheet
OF steel three. Fights of an inch thick, fifty
six inches wide, and no less than 626 inches
in length, while they have another seventy
two wide and ITO long. The great tenac-
ity and ductility of this steel makes it
altogether preferable to iron for steam
boilers, and for reasons stated is used ex-
clusively on the Central Pacific road for
locomotives. 1t is somewhat unfortunate
that the managers of the exposition did not
far, and great quantities of material is yet
to be placed and machinery to be set up.
The bulk of the electric machinery, of
which there is to be an unusual display, is
scarcely commenced to be put in operation,
and as we are promised the sight of new
motors, and its application for railway sig
mailing. and the operating of brakes on
cars, [ am DESTROYS to see results. For
the first time the great building was
lighted last night by the Edison
incandescent light, the Brush arc, and
the electric lights of several other and op.
posing companies, all of whom make their
best display, and promise to improve. 1
should not wonder if many very useful ap-
plications of this unseen, mysterious and
mighty force would be discovered, and thus
add to mankind's comfort and well-being.
1t is amusing and instructive to go among
the old curiosities and examine the work
of our forefathers on the locomotive. The
Oldest exhibited is dated 1925, and is
named the John Bull. It seems the guardi-
aus of the original locomotive Rocket, IN
vented by George Stephenson, regarded it
as too precious an inheritance to risk it's
transportation over seas and lands. Hence,
we must be satisfied with the inspection of
others, the inventions of men who success
slvely cudgeled their brains till they pro-
duced the wonderful machine we are now
so familiar with, and whose influence has
set the world forward a. least two centu-
ries. Comparing the ancient with the
modern engine, you see the gradual i'm
provement and development of the ma
chine, till at last perfection seems to US to
have been reached, but in fact only to be
placed among the old curiosities, and set
aside as out of date, like those of the last
generation. Perhaps you may hear from
me again, if can find, as may, something
to send you. w.