The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-09-14
FAST RAILROAD RUNS.
The Capacity for Speed In the Locomoti'
of thu Preaent DAy.

Vne Capac1ty TOT Spee0 IN inc LOCOMOTIVE
of the Present Day.
Fast runs by railroads are the order
of the day. Even temporary solutions
, of the much-agitated problem are not
reached when q phenomenal record
breaking run is made, for the future
railroad speed enthusiast is not content
to stop at any waypoint this side of enc
hundred miles hour.
Fast travel has been vital factor in
passenger transportation since the in
PRODUCTION of steam as a motive power,
and although the principle and its ap-
plication has been brought to state of
wonderful development, ii is not yet
definitely determined TO what higher
degree it may be increased.
1t is fact beyond dispute that the
present day locomotive surpasses its
predecessor of thirty years ago IN the
character of construction, weight and
durability, but its speed producing
qualities have not improved in the same
proportions, even though such has OF
late been denied IN series of maya
zine articles. Spurts of speed of great
velocity have been made and main
tanned for short distances within the
past few years. but the engine of thirty
years ago was just as capable of speed
under like conditions, viz: improved
condition of roadway, heavy rails, mod
err appliances, such as air brakes and
the block signal system.
1t IS no common occurrence for loco.
| motives drawing heavy passenger
trains to run mile in fifty seconds on
regular schedule, and special runs of
mile in forty seconds have been reported
Some time may elapse before the ninety
miles between Philadelphia and New
York viii be covered by regular trains
in as many minutes, or the 22S miles
between New York and Washington in
four hours, but with the continued i'm
provement in trackage track tanks,
the elimination of curves and of grade
crossings, train-running on such hg-
cures are inevitable and the standard
locomotives in present use will perform
| the service. The question OF speed for
short distances viii be settled first.
| The next move will be in accelerating
the speed of long-distance express trains
All the leading lines of this country
| can schedule and run their pet through
express trains at an average rate OF 30
| to 60 miles an hour. with relay en-
| gines at the 100 miles Instances may
be cited, however. 20 demonstrate the
| fact that locomotive may be depended
upon to perform extraordinary long dis
lance work. In 1876 Pennsylvania
| standard locomotive, with two heavy
| sleeping cars and dining car, covered
the distance between Jersey City and
! Pittsburgh, 43s miles, withou. stop,
/ IN sos minutes, an average rate OF 49,
miles All hour. This is still ono of the
best long distance trips on record
The standard locomotive 1858. which
/ drew the special train Of the delegates
! to the International American confer
/ ence, TO the Rocky noun :ains, traversed
| the rails Of twenty distinct lines Of
/ railroad and covered l0,e 900 miles m its
| course without accident Of any kind or
/ unreasonable delay. During the prog
| ress of the Journey many qualities OF
| coal-good, bad, Indifferent and vile
were encountered, but the stalwart ma
chine never failed 20 respond 20 the Dc
mands of it's master.
| The local fast run, however. Is OF
| chief interest 10 the busi.ess man. " bose
I time in every instance means money.
I Think Of the Inauguration OF an I'm
/ pise state express" thirty years ago, or
/ the speed ard luxury OF some OF the
through limited express trains OF TO-
I day. It would seem with present i'm
I provements IN roadways and machines
/ that fast time between cities like View
/ York. Philadelphia, Baltimore or Wash
/ ington viii con tanue to De accelerated
/ in Difference 20 the demands o. busi-
! ness. and Il the measure CT speed Is 10
( be taken in individual miles, such trains
I will be supplied 20 furnish the standard
I -pL4ladelphia Pres,