Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-04-20

for weight, than in an iron one steel ropes
are preferable. The tail-rope, which is at
tached to the rear end of the train, is double
the length of the main rope, as it must reach
the rear end of the haul and back again to
wind on the other drum The main or haul
ing rope, is wound upon one drum, and lead
ing in the centre of the track, is attached to
the front of the train. Thus the main rope
hauls out the loaded wagons while the emp
ties are returned by the tail-rope. This sys-
tenn does not require a double road-bed, and
can consequently be applied in any mine.
The engine employed in the work is, of
course, the most important piece of machine
ry, and upon its capacity and character de-
penGs most largely the success of the plant.
In this instance the engine was one specially
built by Messrs. |. a. Finch & Co.. of this
city, to whom we are indebted for the follow
ing description and cut.
This engine is of the edouble-cylinder revers-
ing type, the cylinders measuring II inches
by 20 inches, and is built in the most sub
stantial manner, with every provision for
high speed and severe duty. The links are of
the solid pattern, sliding in blocks provided
with gun-metal slides, and having screws
motion. The CrOSs-hcad slides, connecting
rod and valve Stem-boXes are of gun-mctal
with large wearing surfaces. The pistou-rOds,
valve-stems Crank-pInS, crOSshead-pins and
link-pins are of steel. The main boxes are
Babbit.ined. bored and fitted thoroughly
The Crank-Shaft is of hammered iron, and all
materials used in the construction of the en-
glnes are Of the best possible quality. The
d-plates are made broad, and are strongly
bracketed to receive and support the heavy
stands on which rest the adjustable pedestals
and boxes of the drum-shaft. This shaft is
also of hammered iron, the diameter and
weight depending on the length of shaft re-
Quired for the service. ON this shaft, midway
between the engine is firmly keyed Il spur
wheel feet in diameter This wheel is
driven by piniOn on the cngine-shaft the
proportions being one TO four. On each side
of the spur-whecl is a cast-iron drum, run
ming loose on the shaft, capable of winding
5000 feet of s-inCh steel wire rope. These
drums are driven by friction clutches known
in the coal regions rs umbrella fnctiOns,"
term of which the significance will become at
once apparent by a glance at our engraving.
These clutches are operated by screws at the
ends Of the shafts by means of the inter.
gears and shaft, which bring the hand-wh
of both drums COVencnt to the hands of the
engineer. Each drum is also provided with
a substantial brake, that of the left hand
drum being controlled by the right-hand
lever, and rjc" ,orSr Thu, when the rope is
winding in on the right-hand drum, the left
hand drum, running loose is paying out,
and is under perfect control by means Of the
rght-hand brake-lcvcr. These brake-levers,
as shown in the cut, have latches by which
they may be set at any point, giving any de-
gree of resistance desired The lever shown
between the brake-leverS is the reversing
lever of the engines, and is substantially the
the same as the reVcrsng-lever of lOcomo-
tive. In the cut the throttle-yalve is shown
overhead, but in situations requiring it, as
sometimes inside of mines where it is expen-
sive to take down roof, the throttle-Yalvea and
lever may be placed below.
These engines and drums are adapted to
any situation where tail-rope engines can he
used, They are simple and easily managed,
and are not as costly as some of the compli-
Gated machines which have been brought out
for this purpose. They are built in different
Sizes the largest for which patterns are COM
pleted having l6 X a inch cylinders. They
are compact require little room, and are
powerful and efficient machines. Mr.. b. 5.
Randolph, Mining Superintendent of the
Consolidation Coal Company, of Frostburg,