The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-06-01
WORLD ON WHEELS.
Infinite Variety Of the TranspOrta-
ton Department.
A WONDERFUL SHOW AT CHICAGO.

Acres and Acres of Locomotives and Cars,
Some of Them from England, France
and Germany-Many Models of Ships-
Americans Excel in Wagon and Carriage
Making.
WORLDS FAIR, May 80. Especial. I -
There Is no more fascinating exhibit In
the big exposition than that to be found in
the transportation department.. Imagine.
IT you can, more than twenty acres of
space under one roof fitted with every sort
of device or vehicle for the transportation
of men or materials, not only those of the
present and our own country but of all
times and peoples. So vast is the display
and SO full of interest in whatever direc-
ton one looks or wherever he passes, that
a week might easily be devoted to this
building alone by a visitor who had come
here determined to study the fair as it de-
serves to be studied. A single exhibit,
that OF the Oldest American railway, the
Baltimore and Ohio, is worth a days in
spection. 1t consists not only of old loco
motives and cars side by side with a mod
ern train, but q most surprising and in
structive collection Of pictures which
graphically show the development of rail-
ways in America, England, France and
Germany. Nothing like it was ever before
attempted. There are more than LOO
pictures in all, and how they were ever
gotten together is more than one can
imagine. In addition to all these there is
a display Of steam carriages used in the
last century before the development even
of the earliest locomotive. This single ex-
hibit cost $780, 900, and is a monument not
only to the enterprise Of an American rail-
way, but to the genius of the men who
were charged with it's preparation.
After hasty walk through this most
amazing department one is quite ready to
believe the statisticians who tell us the
railways of the world represent one-tenth
part Of mans total wealth, and perhaps
one-quarter or one-third of his in
vested capital. One is surprised not
only by the vastness of the exhibit, be-
speaking net works of rails spread over
the face Of the earth, but the wonderful
variety of forms, structures, devices and
machines used In railway construction and
operation. Most Americans study rail
ways only by the casual method of riding
over them. We all know just enough
about them to lead as to the conclusion
we know about all there is worth know
ing. A walk through this great building
and its greater annex will show the most
presumptious Of tis how small Is our
knowledge concerning the greatest Of all
methods of transportation.
AS 1t would take days to see it so it
would require pages on pages instead of
columns to describe or even mention what
is displayed here. Il call attention to
some Of the more striking exhibits or en-
deavor to Indicate the almost infinite
variety thereof it must not be supposed
my meager list has estimated the subject.
OF course the old locomotives, the John
Bull" the Rocket" the "Ciinton." the
Samson" and many others are always
surrounded by large crowds of visitors.
Many people smile as they compare one Of
these little machines, whose boilers are
about the size of rain-barrels, with the
enormous modern locomotives Standing
near by. The Rocket entire could be
loaded in one corner of the tender Of the
Dirsetor General, the big locomotive
which weighs 195, 900 pounds, and still
leave room enough for the fuel and the
operations of the fireman.
Other exhibits which constantly please
the popular eye are the English locomo-
tives and cars, the French locomotives.
which are much like the English only not
of such fine workmanship, the German
cars for freight and particularly the royal
blue carriage built for the use Of the I'm.
perial family. This coach is q marvel of
finish and comfort, but it would not run
very well over our American roads. for It
has but six wheels, two at either end and
two under the center Of the car, all rigidIy
attached to the car-frame.
There are cars here Of the like Of which
some Of us never heard before. The Pull
man company shows what is said to be the
most expensive and perfect railway train
ever built. It is not so much of q curiosity
to Americans, who are accustomed to
using just this sort Of carriages while
travelling, but to our friends from across
the sea 1t is the subject of much wonder
and inquiry. The finest sleeping and par
lor cars in use in England and on the CON-
tinent are Of American build, but the
number Of them is so limited that many
Of the visitors from abroad never even saw
them. The Pullman company shows a
model of the industrial city Of Pullman,
which was built good deal asthe Worlds
fair itself was built, On comprehensive
plan, all at once, and in an Incredibly short
time. When it comes to the creation of
cities there are three fine models here al
most within gunshot Of each other-the
Columbian exposition, Pullman and great
Chicago. Here may be seen also the first
locomotive used in the city of Chicago,
tho Chicago and Galena's Pioneer"
which began It's career of usefulness fifty
years ago. Now Chicago is the greatest
railway center In the world.
II there is anything connected with rail-
way transportation, excepting possibly an
annual pass or q rear-end collision, that is
not displayed here should be at a Loss to
tell what it Is. There are all sorts Of loco
motives and their appliances, such as bells,