Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-11
AIR MOTOR CARS
Description Of Those Being Built for the
EchngtonLine.
Work Already Commenced - This
Method Cheaper Even Than the
Overhead Trolley.

motive power by the lexington and Sol
diers' Home railway OF. Washington will. u
ssys the Pittsburg Dispatch Of yesterday,
cause great industry to be probably
soon built up in Pittssurg in the manu-
facture OF compressed air equipments for
traction cars. Work has already been
commenced by H. X. Porter & Co. on the
first car for the lexington ard Soldiers
Home street railway of Washington.
The Pittsburg firm secured the contract
a few days ago for the equipping Of this
read, and all the lines in the District Of
Columbia may be similarly improved.
Plans are also being prepared for the
equipping Of traction lines In other cities.
Inc traction men claim the Pfttsburg mo-
tors are superior to any now IN the mar
ket, and estimates are being asked by
the roads Of various cities.
me car that is being built Is the first
attempt made in Pittsburg. 1t will strong
ly resemble an ordinary cable car, and
VIII be twenty feet long, and as heavy as
the average car. The power will be placed
beneath the seats and bed Of the car.
Ih.s Will be contained in eight iron re-
torts. nine inches in diameter. and as long
as the car. The air will be maintained
at a pressure of 1900 pounds to the cubic
itch.
THE motive power was designed after
a careful study Of the route Of the Wash
long. and many heavy grades and sharp
curves are encountered. William E. Lin
coin OF the Porter company calculated
that eight tanks would more than carry
the car Ground one full trip and would
allow for emergencies and accidents.
Operation il Very Simple.
1.-THE air pressure in the storage tanks
is reduced through hot water. and the
expansion is greatly increased. The power
Is regulated by ordinary levers. and the
system is almost Identical with a steam
or compressed air locomotive.
THE Washington road was compelled
by Congress to dispense with horse power,
and regulation Of the District Of Co
iumbia forbids overhead trolley wires in
the center of the city. Compressed air
was chosen because it was cheaper in
Installation and operation than in lines
operating underground. 1t Is even cheaper
than the overhead trolley, as the COM
the central electrical power house. and
with compressed air cars no excavations
along the line are necessary.
AS soon as the car is completed an ela5-
crate test of Its speed will be made at the
Porter locomotive works by the company
II Will be tried for its ability to start and
stop quickly and it's capacity for hauling
heavy loads. A careful study will be made
OF the cost OF operation. AS soon as this
test is made the car will be shipped to
washington and ten other cars will be i'm
med1ately made Traction officials in every
large city are watching the equipment of
the Washington road. and should 1t be sue
cessful mhny other lines will adopt COM
pressed air. The car is expected to equal
the speed of the average electric traction
car.
Has Faith In the System.
w. T.. Lincoln of the Porter company
said yesterday: I'VE have been building
compressed air locomotives for a number
CT years, and they have proved eminently
successful. The adaptation to traction
work Is no departure, and the system will
undoubtedly be successful. Our claim for
compressed air Is that It is &c economical, alb
soluteiy safe, simple and durable. 1t Is
convenient In operating and it's cost for
maintenance and repairs is exceptionally
low.
Its economy is determined by the first
cost OF installation Of the plant, cost of
operating. mileage ana tonnage. None of
the power is wasted. No pipe line will be
used on the Washing ION road to carry the
compressed air to stations along the route
and all that viii be needed will be to pIa &c
the cars on the tracks and start them We
nave had long experience in practical
work and have improved the equipment in
every way.
The design of motor Is very simple and
easy to handle. only requiring a boy or
man of ordinary intelligence, and entailins
no hazard or risk on his part. 1t is only
necessary to see that an economical use
Is made Of the air stored in the tanks
which is controlled by simply designed
and constructed apparatus. The motors
are always ready to be operated as long
as the tanks are charged with air. When
once charged and stored away they are
ready for any delayed CT immediate cab
for work