The evening times., 1898-02-12
AMERICAN INDUSTRY.
John Bull Sends to Us when He
Wants Quick work.

Philadelphia, Feb. IA feat unique
in locomotive building in order to meet
necessities Of war has just been accom-
plishe ed tth Baldwin Locomotive Works
in this city. An extraordinary effort had
to be made TO turn out four engines for
the British governments Imperative re-
quirements i'm the quicker movement of
troops, provisions and munitions of war
over the Sudan Railway in Lower Egypt.
No European locomotive works could ap-
proXimate the speed which John Bull re-
quired. SO the most expeditions engine
builders in the world, the Baldwins, were
asked what they could do in the emer-
gency. They could build the locomotives
in less than half the time. they said, that
had been indicated as England's best.
They got the contract, and they actually
have constructed the engines in thirty
one days, or less than one-fourth the time
that any concern east Of the Atlantic
would have required, Ii is an object
lesson 10 all the world as to what Amer
lean firms can do in the way of hustlng
when an emergency necessitates it.
An order for four heavy locomotives
had been places some time ago with an
English firm. But before the work on
them was begun the warlike movement
in the Sudan country made greater speed
necessary. The uggestion was there
fore made by the British War Office to
the English builder to replace the first
order by one of four lighter engines.
which were to be turned out quickly, and
the original order to be filed at his leis
ure. The best time he could offer was
four and one-half months.
Time was precious however and the
s.4.l fs =
They promptly agreed to deliver the en-
gines sixty days after signing the con-
tract The order was, therefore, placed
on January 6, to be completed March 6,
and work upon the engines was begun at
once. After the work had been in prog
reSs several weeks the firm was asked If
the work could not be completed before
the first time limit. The response was:
I'VE will be able TO ship the engines by
February IL"
Two weeks ago the firm was apprised
by cable that an inspector would be sent
over TO inspect the locomotives The re-
sponse was that before he could arrive In
this country the engines would be boxed
and en- route for their destination. This
brought another cable message, direct
ing the Baldwins not to ship the engines
until the government inspector arrived,
and the firm was Obliged TO comply, al
though the locomotives Were completed
and ready 10 ship within thirty-one days
from the time Of placing the contract
Even this time could have been beaten
had the Baldwins been told at the start
how great was the emergency.
The inspector. who arrived on the Luz
cania on Saturday last, found the en-
gines already set up and with steam UP
when he reached the works. Several
changes to conform to his idea were
made quickly. when the Sudan motive
power was dismantled and boxed and
will go forward on7.he Stalheim on Mon
day.
The engines have 15x2i-inch cylinders
and are similar I'm general dimensions,
weight, heating surface. etc. TO the eigh-
teen built for the Imperial Railway OF
japan They are the first engines ever
buiIt i'm this country for Egypt.