The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-09-09


ET PRODUCTION FoR THE PESNsTLvASIA
KAILRoAD.
From the Phiiadeiphis Times
With the marvellous Improvements Of
late days in interior architecture and
elaborate finish Of Pullman cars, it re-
quires the exceptional 70 attract more
than passing notice and the extraordi-
nary to call forth comment. Some
months ago the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company ordered from the Pullman
works, for the equipment Of tie New
York and Washington and Congressional
Limited express trains, the very best rep
resentstive work that the Pullman Com
pany was capable Of creating. regardless
Of expense, and the result is now seen
in the new cars running this last week
on these two magnificent solid vestibule
trains, which connect in few hours the
nations metropolis with her seat Of gov
ernment. What Is surely Of much more
importance than the handsome exterior
finish Of these cars, over which even ex-
perienced travellers are enthusiastic, is
the improved and heavy trucks on which
the palaces are built They have been,
with the wheels and exles, subjected TO
the very highes; tests, even beyond the
standard, which on the Pennsylvania
Railroad is the highest known, and at
the end Of their active journey came to a
halt as cool almost as at the start. The
designer here has also made g marked
advance, and one promoting untold COM
fort, by arranging the connection Of car
body and truck 50 as TO reduce to q mini
mum the swaying motion ordinarily felt
when under full speed. The entire train
is connected by vesiibules, fitted for
steam heat and equipped with improved
sir-brzke appliances, which practically
stop the cars almost in their own length.
The former equipment of these trains
seemed impossible TO be improved upon,
yet their perfectiog Of design and finish
demonstrates the capacities Of this mod
ern age for wonderful and radical
changes. The exterior appearance, aside
from The drawing room angled bay win
dovs, Is identical with the regulation
Pullman in color and design, and it is
not until advancing through the vesti-
bule that the revelation Of what Ameri-
cans have grown 10 expect in taking their
few hundred miles jaunts Is made mani
fest, as illustrated BY these luxuriously
furnished palaces on wheels The up
holstery Of these comfortable revolving
easy chairs and sofas, affording seating
accommodations for thirty-four persons
in each car, is Of white imported mohaiT
cloth, worked with figured silk emboss-
ing. The flooring Is covered with a rich,
heavy Turkish earpeting, whose color
blends harmoniOusly with the furnish
ings, even TO the adjustable ottoman
ready for foot service at the front Of each
chair. Upon entering the aisle-wsy it
is noticeably wider than in other Pull
man cars, s.al the wood work is polished
ash. stained. A perfect effect is produced
in the hsnd-csrved entrances from the
drawing rooms into the main car body
as it arches TO e centre in a miniature
dome, whose scroll-work, loaded glass
brass designs and heavy plate mirror:
lend an exceptionally rich finish.
At the windows hang a dual set Of cur
tains one light cream to neutralize the
light land shade the eyes, and back
heavy set of some rich brown stuff. EN-
brOidered and tasseled. The ceilings an
hsnd-decoratiOns, not elaborate nor over
worked, but very artistic, while ever
cornice, or where one might expect th,
sharp edge, is some dainty bit Of relie
wood carving. The receptacle racks, a
well as the chandelier lamps, are mad,
Of Oxidized silver, the latter being Of yer,
unique pattern, and shedding the softes
silvery light on the interior decora
tons.
The drawing-rooms are perhaps the la
test innovation in car construction on
is closed TO the top Of the ceiling. abov
the average standing height, with heavr
piate-giass, beveied and paneled. Will
the other Is open, and its occupants ar
screened from the passengers in the bod,
OF the car by rich slidingcurtains suspen
ded on brass rocs, running possibly tw,
ieet higher than the frame woodwork
and supported at the carved corners b,
thin newell posts Of curiously twisteC
brass.
These compartments, accommodatin,
SIX each, have a direct connection b,
door with the layatory and toilet rooms
two spacious apartments well ventilated
and lighted. The layatory basin Is made
Of heavy nickel, and every appointment
IN the way Of necessary toilet articles is
in It's respective rack of twisted brass.
The woodwork above each chair in
the main car is carved with laurel
wresths, suspended by gracefully flowing
strings, all most exquisitely carved by
hand.
Ine entire arrangement suggests more
salon of Louis NIN's time than q regu-
lar passenger express train of the Penn
sylvania Railroad.
These cars, added 70 the deservedly
popular dining-car service Of the Wash
ington Limited and Congressional Limit
ed Express trains, render these trains ab-
solutely peerless for day use.