New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-09
BRIDGE CAR NO. 76 WINS.
A TEST OF THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FOX
SWITCHING.

TIM IS GAINED AND NOISE. SMOKE STEAM AMI
GAS APE ENTIRELY AvorDED-PRovIsIoN FOR
THE READING PUBLIC-HEATING APPAhAioS'
A formal test Of the electric motor designed lot
sui,cbing cars on the New-York and Brooklyn
Bridge was made yesterday morning ana pio'eA
to be a success In every way. 1t was II .'0
when a number Of the trustees. electrical y"
perts and other guests boarded car NO. 49, "'''0'
has been fitted up with the new electric ino.o''
The car was run to the station platform, wheA
II was attached to three-car train' ai'u'
minute later 1t was pushing the train OUT 10
the front on the approach where the grip '"Ne'
up the cable.
No attempt Nvas made to run the tram a0'o''
the Bridge with the motor as the intention OF .i'e
Bridge MANAGEMENT is to use these motors TOT
the present at least only for switching the trains
at either terminal The across was maue
without any delay Upon arriving at the Ne"
York station OF the regular locomotives was
attached to the train. which was switched 10 'he
outgoing track and. when the waiting passengers
had boarded the other cars. the train was Ia"
out and the cable was used to run IL oaoh ~
Brooklyn. The electric motor was not useu Oh
the New-York side. as the strlngine o' '"e
trolley wire has not been completed there
MAKING FAST TINE.
At the Brooklyn station the electric motor
pulled the train out to the yard and switched II
back to the outgoing track in less than twenty
seconds which is very much less time thah useu
by the locomotives. II is believed that ""e"
the double tracks are laid at both terminals
and a full complement OF the new cars Is III
use passenger Will have at all times cars "al'-
ing for them at the platforms. Besides the gan.
in time IN switching. all the inconvenience Oh
the locomotives themselves, the nose sfhoAe'
steam and gas will be entirely done away Win
To outward appearance little change mas oeeh
made In the car II has two collectors on inc
roof and TIE electrical apparatus for cohiro'''"s
the motors is hidden from sight beneath the ca
and the pas. engers will merely notice Two du'i-
tional spindles on the platform indicating '"a'
a change has been made.
The ordinary light Pullman trucks which have
hitherto carried the wooden car body have been
replaced by heavy Mcclure trucks. bulk 10 carry
the electric motors These trucks combine the
advantages % passenger-car and steam locono-
tive trucks and are the latest In the truck line
The cable grip mechanism has been removed.
The two collectors on the roof are built Oh the
lazy tongues principle and are coiiapsiDe anu
expansible, SO that they are kept IN constant
contact with the overhead wire. The coiec'or
itself is roller with two arms eXtcnHins on
either side 50 that all chance Of missing con-
tact is avoided
HEAT AND LIGHT.
The current comes through the collectors and
on reaching the is divided into three CIR
cults. the principal one going to the motors
anothe- to the heaters and the third 10 'he
lamps in the cal Tina which is used for the
heating apparatus IL brought TO twelve heaters
six on each side. beneath the seats Ea'h
heater has a capacity Z 40 square feet radlat-
Ing surface at 400 degrees Fahrenheit; and tho
amount Of heat 1t gives of IS regulated by
switch.
Tho main or motor circuit passes hrst TO tbs
two automatic circuit breakers which are
placed under the hoods az each end OF the car
In case 81 any sudden rush o. current from any
reason. whatsoever tn, So automatic devices i'm
rnediatcly break the circuit and prevent any
damage to the motors From the automatic cir
cult breakers wires come 10 the controllers.
which are placed beneath the cars. BY means
OF these controllers the motors are thrown INTO
different combinations 30 that the most econom-
teal work can be got Ou II them The con
troller Is large barre provided with contact
plates upon which spring metal fingers press
As the handle is turned the motor connections
are successfully thrown into different combina-
lions. giving gradual acceleratidS TO the tram
Switches are also provided by which the motors
may be reversed cut out and rendered idle.
There are two controllers. each one operated
from ito own platform. Rising from the plat
form arc TWO spindles. ending In Two plates on
the level Of the top Of The platform rail-. one
plate is the controlling plate with "A dial show
ing the multiple" SERIES and of" positions.
The other is the reversing handle plate with
three notches. for forward for re
verse and the other for on" The mOtorman
can make mistake for the reversing handle
cannot be moved until tho controller is at the
"off' position. and there IL no current in the
motors. and the controller handle cannot Doe
moved until the reversing handle IS In either
the forward reverse positions.
WHERE THE LIGHTNING Is HARNEssED.
The current then passes 10 the motors, Of which
there are four. one to each axle or two 10 each
truck THESE motors are known as the G. +. ZOO.
a nanie given t. them from the fact that each
Will exert horizontal pull Of LOO pounds when
mounted on a wheel 80 inches In diameter
The motors are completely incascd water
and dust tight, and are hung from two trunn-
ions in the cover in such way that they are
prac tcally supported springs and very little
weigh, comes directly on The ax,s
TIE ele etriCal equipmen: is the work OF the
General Electric Company. Of NewYork The
car Will be put into regular service. and other
cars Will be fitted with the motor rapidly
possible.
Among those present at yesterdays test were
ex-Mayor Schicren President James Howell and
Seth l.. Keeney, J. Seaver Pag- and Clarence A.
lIenrlques. trustees. and II. K Van Keuren. Chief
Engineer c. G. Martin. Engineer Kingsley Mar
tin Captain Van Shack II. VI. Littell Edward
Barr President Uhmann. OF the Brooklyn Ele
waited Railroad. H. L. Wynkoop and c. w.
McNuty.
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