The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-09-11
. Luxurious Travelling
THE PULLMAN PALACE CAR CoNp,Nv,s
LATEST PRODUCTION FOR THE
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.

of late days in interior architecture
and elaborate finish of Pullman cars it
requires the exceptional to attract more
than passing notice and the extraorti-
nary to draw forth comment. Some
months ago the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company ordered from the Pullman
works, for the equipment for the New
York and Washington and Congress
sional Limited express trains, the very
best representative work the Pullman
Company was capable of creating re-
gardless 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
a few hours the nations metropoli,
with her seat of government. What is
surely of much more importance than
the handsome exterior finish of these
cars, over which even experienced
travellers are enthusiastic, is the i'm
proved and heavy trucks on which the
palaces are built. They have been,
with the wheels and axles, subjected to
the very highest test, even beyond the
standard, which on the PENNSYLVANIA
Railroad is 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
marked advance, and one promoting
untold comfort, by arranging the con-
nection of car body and truck SO as to
reduce to minimum the swaying mo-
ton ordinarily felt when under full
speed. The entire trains are connec-
ted by vestibules, fitted for steam heat
and equipped with improved air-brakc
appliances, which practically stop the
cars almost in their own length. The
former equipment Of these trains SEEM
ed impossible to be improved upon,
yet their perfection of design and fin
ish demonstrates the capacities Of this
modern age for wonderful and radical
changes. The exterior appearance,
aside from the drawing room angled
bay-windows, Is identical with the reg
ulation Pullman in color and design,
and it is not until advancing through
the vestibule that the revelation of
what Americans have grown to expect
in taking their few hundred miles
jaunts is made manifest, as illustrated
by those luxuriously finished palaces
on wheels. The upholstery of the COM
Portable, revolving easy chairs and SO
fas, affording seating accommodations
for thirty-four persons in each car, is
of white, imported mohair cloth,
worked with figured silk embossing.
The flooring is covered with rich,
heavy Turkish carpeting, 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.
way it is noticeably wider than in other
Pullman cars, and the woodwork is
polished ash, stained. A perfect effect.
is produced in the hand-carved entran-
ces from the drawing rooms into the
main car body, as it arches to centre
in miniature dome, where scroll-work,
loaded glass, brass designs and heavy
plate mirrors lend an exceptionally
rich finish. AT the windows hang a
dual set Of curtains, one light cream
to neutralize the light and shade the
eyes, and back heavy set of some
rich brown stuff, embroidered and tas-
seled;. The ceilings are hand-decora-
tions, not elaborate nor overworked,
but very artistic, while every cornice
or where one might expect the sharp
edge is some dainty bit of relief wood
carving. The receptacle racks as well
as the chandelier lamps are made of
oxdized silver, the latter being Of very
unique pattern and shedding the soft
est silvery light on the interior decor
atlons.
The drowing-rooms are perhaps the
latest innovation in car construction ;
one is closed to the top of the ceiling,
above the average standing height,
with heavy plate-glass, beveled and
paneled, while the other is open, and
its occupants screened from the pas
.sengers in the body Of the car by which
sliding curtains suspended on brass
rods, running possibly two feet higher
than the frame woodwork; and sup
ported at the carved corners by thin
newell posts of curiously twisted brass.
These compartments, accommodate
six each, have direct connection by
door with the lavatory and toilet
rooms, two spacious apartments well
ventilated and lighted. The lavatory
basin is made of heavy nickel, and
every appointment in the way of nee
essary toilet articles is in its respective
rack of twisted brass.
The woodwork above each chair in
the main car is carved with laurel
wrcaths, suspended by the gracefully
flowing strings, all most exquisltely
carved by hand.
The entire arrangement suggests
more a salon of Louis XlV.'Ss time