The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-11
COST OF A RAILROAD CAR.
Some Interesting Details from the shops or the
Pennsylvania Railroad.

Pepnsyivnntn Railroad.
The auditing department of a great American
railroad corporation rivals in respect Of its
records and transactions a Governmental depart
ment. The earnings of all the lines of the Penn
sylvania Railroad system in n year average
about $780, 900, 900 and the gross earnings Of
the Vanderbilt system amount TO rather more
Sl5. 000. 900 from the New York Central, S21-,
OOO, 900 from the Lake Shore, SO. OOO. 900 from
the West Shore and Nickel Plate, $4,000 900
from the Chicago and Northwest, l3.OOo 900
from the Michigan Central. and about $15 .OOO,-
600 from collateral lines or systems. These
figures are large, but they appear still larger
when they are compared with Items of Federal
revenue. The total receipts Of the United States
Government from customs during the fiscal
year ending in 1896 were $3.50. 600. 900, and
from internal revenue taxes STAG. 900. 900. The
two together made up $296. 900 900 Of public
revenue for the Government OF the affairs of a
nation Of rs, O0O,O0O Inhabitants, but the two
railroad systems referred to represented to-
gether receipts OF $275. 900. 900, and il a third
big railroad system were added the receipts OF
the Federal Government would be exceeded.
The accounts OF big railroad corporations re-
now a special branch Of accounting has been
Pennsylvania Railroad, which, Tor instance,
gives to the fraction Of a cent the expenses Incl
dent to the construction OF a car OF u locomotive.
There are &c, 200 passenger cars and 5000 bag
gage, mail and express cars in actual use on the
railroads Of the United States, and the ordinary
passenger car costs anywhere from $1,000 TO
$4,000, the difference representing added I'M
proyements in furnishing.
There has recently appeared a detailed state
ment t OF the cost OF constructing at the Altoona
shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad IA sample
trst-class, modern, up-to-date, luxurious pas
senger car, and some OF the items are of interest.
The wheels and nxles represent IL cost OF S332. 30:
the trucks upon which the car rests cost 1888. 80:
the air brake represents $l3l. 10; the seat FIX
tures-twenty'tive in number-cos 5000; the
Ss4; the chandeliers. $5O.72. and the item
OF screws, which might not appear to be an
important one. SOL. ss. For the building OF a
car like the one taken in illustration. 9,4sO feet
OF poplar wood, 3,434 Of ash. ,l0Oot white pine,
1850 of yellow pine, 400 feet of hickory, 400 Of
cherry. 700 of Michigan pine. 300 of oak, and
439 OF maple veneer were required. To build
the car there was required In addition IL gall
Ions OF vsrnish. As pounds OF glue, and nearly
5000 pounds of iron. exclusive of 800 pounds OF
iron cast!ngs. For the furnishing of the car
there were required 90 yards OF scarlet plush, a.
yards of green plush. 81 yards OF s%heeting. and
243 pounds Of hair. The springs on the car seats
cost $i3. II. The basket racks cost $77 .35. tho
sash levers SI2, the bronze window lifts $2i.4O,
and the gold leaf for the establishment OF the
woodwork SLABS. For the window fasteners
$I5.47 worth OF material was required. two
stoves cost ST.. SO, and the tin used on the roof
OF the car S4l.I4. The labor in the construction
OF the car represented IA cost OF ~ ,2B3. %.
bringing up the expenditure to more than 81 400.