Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-05
LOCOMOTIVES

In IIGspitai-Ayerage Life and Work.
New York SUM-
BY far the most interesting building
of the Pennsylvania railway repair
shops on the meadows between Hack
ensack and Jersey City is the round
house, where stalls are provided for
forty.one locomotives, aside from the
three entrances, which can be utilized
at a pinch. Engines in all manner of
undresS costumes are resting in these
stalls, receiving respite from
their arduous work. One of them,
a freight, is just in from the
line to have her sand-boX repaired, and
will return TO her labors in an hours
time. Another, known as the "P"
class, which constitutes the heaviest
engines run on the road, is stripped
bare of all lis exterior arrangements,
and even to its fiye-foOt-eight drivers,
and its Isl by "a cylinders its iden-
tity is only known by common chalk
mark on its naked boiler. |, 1859. This
is one of the engines that haulS the
bulky southern and western mail
trains, and was constructed especially
for that purpose. It's weight, equip
ped for service, is fifty tons, or four
tons heavier than the *" engine
81. which stands undressed near it.
The latter, with its long legs-its dri-
yerS are 6 feet 6 inches in diameter
appears to be more weighty, but the
former makes up the difference in the
length Of its boiler and the size Of It's
cylinders. Hard by are several other
passenger engines, known as the " A "
class, whose numbers run from l,030
to l,045, and whose weights average
45I tons. These are the most popular
engines on the road, and can steam,
work, and run better with eight or ten
cars than any other class. Many Of the
locomotives are now in the Shops re-
ceiying sloping iire-box instead Of the
old-iashioned flat surface. FMS new
style of box rests upon the frame Of the
engine. allows eight inches more of
heating space, and lessons the chances
Of spreading the wheels by close prox-
unity to the iire-box. Thus far only |
twelve engines have been furnished
with the new arrangement, but so soon /
as the half dozen locomotives that are
now being put into shape for the Long
Branch route are out'of the way the in
noyation in heating will be extended to
others.
Among the engines that will leave
the shops this week is the historical
G5S, which established its record in
July, 1881, on the day DR.. Frank Ii.
Hamilton was summoned to Gariield's
bedside. At half an hours notice it
whirled the special train from Jersey
City to Philadelphia in one hour and
minutes, including one stop
and several slow-downs. And again in
the following September, when Garfield
was taken to Elberon, 65S was detailed
to haul the special train; and two weeks
alter G5o began the mournful ride
which. starting at Elberon, ended at
o. Last year 65S was put
IN charge Of Engineer MacLean on the
Long Branch limited express, and ran
ia miles every day for twelve weeks
IN a few minutes over three hours, in
Guiding eight stops. In September she
went to the shops for thorough over
hauling, and has been there ever since.
Next week 65S will resume its old
rips under its old engineer. This
engine is one of the lightest on the road.
1t weighs only thirty-nine tons.
How often is an engine in need Of
repairs 2" was asked of one Of the head
mechanics.
THAT is dependent as much upon
The engineer as upon the engine itself.
For instance, some engineers handle an
engine very carefully and easily, while
others pound them to pieces in quick
order. The fast-express engines suffer
he most. The wear and tear upon
hem is beyond the comprehension Of
The ordinary passenger. For instance,
m engine is sent to the shop for
slight repairs-say her tire has worn
down. Very often that will lead
to the REIMBURSEMENT Of her motion
work. and thorough renovation Of all
her parts follows. We ought to get
10000 or 10000 miles out Of an en-
giie before she requires complete over