New-York tribune., 1897-12-12
GAS ON THE ELEVATED ROADS
IT WILL PROBABLY BE IN USE IN THE
THJRD-AVE. CARS NEXT MONTH.

Patrons OF the elevated roads on the East SIDE
Of the city arc wondering every evening when they
are TO have better lights, and contrast ther con-
dtion with that OF the more fortunate people iv-
ing on the West Side OF town, where all the ele-
waited railway cars have been equipped with gas Tor
some time Everybody knows, Of course, that there
is a law compelling the Manhattan Railway COM
pany to do away with oil lamps. and there Is natu-
rally a good deal of interest in the question when
the law is going to be completely com2hed "lth'
When the question was put TO General Manager
Fransion a day or two ago he was ready with
prompt reply.
I'VE are now fitting up the cars on the eastern
division with gas fixtures" he said. "and some Of
those on the Fortysecond-st. and Thrty-tourtIh-s.
lines have the fixtures already placed In them
We have not the gas as yet TO charge the tanks
but expect that we shall have 1t In about iorlyI
s se reaay aayS 5v ha as hG1 e an the we able
TO furnish the gas the smaller VIII VIII oe thfn the Now
ever. thai by the middle of January very soon .S
after considerable number Of the cars on InIS dii
ion we have 525. cars provided with gas fixtures,
and the remaining cars OF the compan eeuv o
sible Before the end OF February we are almost
certain to have enough without lamps IN them
to meet the demands of PASSENGERS during TT the
elling We propose 10 equip the SUBURBAN nie & VIII ~
the Harlem River. although lamps Of superior
pattern with q central draft, after the manner VI
m FTaaso dH Mas s'e asked whether the nrodnc
tion Of the Pintsch gas system indicated that me
elevated roads was remote. In reply, he said that
the OF gas had no bearing whateVe1 i,an on .ne
He spoke enthusiastically Of electricity as the
coming power" although he would express nS ne
opinion as to the probable action OF the Soar0 roo OF
tion wes n large one and that many things would
have to be taken into consideration besides the
great cost q making rSrsd me M shsns 'eo OF the trial
made OF air motors on the elevated roau MI
Fransioll said: - 40,
motor pulled four cars up TO Fifty-eighth-st, the
cars being about haf-AlleG with people. But tno
the motor broke down IN trying. 10 draw loaded
train of five cars up the grade between flity-
about per cent-about io6 feet to the mile-and
that is q heavy grade; but the only proper test OF
any motive force IS that n + sna GrS% peops 0y say
they can furnish motor that VIII DO the WORK,
ard if they can we are willing TO try H. Inc one
experiment with anything that gives fair promise
Of success but. of course. there are many sugges-
"Whe compressed air has certain advantages as
motive power, its use on the elevated road would
leave the troublesome question OF heating the cars
on our hands Apparently the only way would De 10
have q boiler carried on the motor 10 supply steam
for heating the passenger cars. but that would con.
tinue some OF rhe features which make the use OF
locomotives objectionable. To have stove in every
car would be q great nuisance. and would cause
lot Of dirt and trouble.
heat cars as wei! propel them. Great improve
ments have been made In the apparatus for heating
ent degrees OF heat readily be supplied accord
ing TO the temperature outside. know that In troll
cessve heat Immediately over the heaters. but tha.
could be avoided by placing them lower and letting
them run the entire length Of the car 80 that tho
turned off In Instant It is always ready; there is
no dust or dirt. and the amount OF heat needed can
readily regulated"