Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-20
ELECTRIC ROAD.
Improvements Being Made Along the
Line and Arrangements for Winter.
Cars Will Soon Be Heated by an Improved
Electric Heater.

Et0CtflC n6ateF.
Electric heaters will soon be placed in
the cars of the Augusta, Hallowell & Gar
diner Railroad Co., and they will, it ii
claimed, be both economical and more con
venient than the stoves that heretofore
have been in use. The heater is Of de
sign original with Supt. Meloon Of this
road. BY means Of it the degree of heat
can be very evenly distributed in
the cars. As many know, the stove has
always had a very warm feeling fol
the persons who sat beside of it,
while the unfortunate passenger at the
other end of the car was left to SILVER.
The new electric heaters will take up
much less room than the stoves; in fact the
seating capacity of the car will be enlarged
affording room for two more passengers in
the place where the stove has heretofore
been stationed.
There will be four heaters in each car,
two on each eide, and they will be located
beneath the seats. All will be bronzed.
The four heaters will be located near the
ends of the car upon opposite sides being
placed so as to alternate in position from
side to side thus insuring such a distribu-
ton of the heat, as will preserve an even
temperature in the car.
A rough description of this new heating
apparatus will serve to convey a clearer
idea of it's form. The cylinders are about
three feet long and four inches
in diameter, willie inside is rod
covered with the finest of german
silver wire, through which the cleo
tric current passes, one ampere to each
cylinder, go that the force of the current
for each car will be but four smperes, at a
cost of 20 cents for Is hours, while the
stoves cost about 40 cents, considering
wear, the tear, the loss of time and burning
coal. The amount of current in these
heaters is SO small that the power station
can easily furnish it for each car without
reduction of the power. By introducing
this electric heater, the insurance will prob
ably be lessered and the danger of fire will
be much less.
In car No. is one of the heaters, which
was put in as an experiment and has worked
to perfection. With the completed arrange
ments switch will be placed at one end of
the car so that the conductor can determine
the degree of heat and reduce or increase
it at his will. The construction of this in
vention is marvelously simple and if II con-
tinues to prove es successful as it has thus
far, Supt. Meloon may find it paying
thing. l. certainly should be covered by q
patent.
Alrthe open cars of the road have been
taken in and will be vanished to preserve
the coat of paint put on last spring. The
new running time has met with general
favor, business men especially being well
pleased with it. Fifteen minutes have been
saved on each trip between Augusta and
Gardiner, only 40 minutes is required now
for run from the Edwards mill in this city
to the end of the line.
The travel from here to Gardiner has in
creased by this change. The covered cars
have come out with new dashers, and felt
padded window frames, to prevent them
from rafting.
The artistic painting has been done by
o. A. Dale of Waltham, Mass, an artist
with the paint brush. Upon the front doors
of the cars little catch has been attached
and when the car is in motion this is fastene d
to avoid people passing in and out this door,
which allows cold breeze to sweep into
the car. The snow pillow car is being put in
readiness for its winters work and the
snow machines are being painted and re-
paired. A larger amount Of sand has also
been laid in for winter use. An old horse
car will be supplied with motor and run
ming gear and will be used as sand car
next winter. The signal system, invented
by Supt. Meloon, will undergo several
changes on account of the new side tracks.
Grading has been done of late along the
road and the wires and posts and projecting
rods have been attended to and in some
places new rods put in. The Loudon Hill
waiting room will be repaired and an cleo
trio heater will be put in. Everything
about the road is prospecting and the evi.
dence of good management is apparent on
every hand.
w. H. Fisher was in Waterville, yester-
day, on law business.