The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-09-03
May RevoIutionize Railroading

Ever since 1SS2, when Mr.. Baldwin's lrst
locomotive cold Ironsi5es'D was Install
ed on the Philadelphia, Germantown and
Norristown railroad as q substis1te for
horses or mules, there has been demand
for an engine which should be free from
the dtSagreeabie habit Of puning smoke
and cinders into the eyes aud eats Of pas
sengers, injuri1g delicate dresses and
contributing not q little 10 the discern
fort Of even a short jouraey BY rail. Az
though many improvements nave been
made in locomotives since that time. this
particular objection has never been OBJ
Waited; and It is the principle cause which
has led to the growing general prsserenee
for suburban travel In trolley cars. A
very large part Of the receipts OF the trcl-
ley lines comes from persons who ride In
the open cars simply for the pleasure Of
IL How large a part OF the receipts OF
the suburban steam roads rlanins TO The
same localities comes from Ike source
Practically none.
novel smokeless engine known as the
Dodge kinetic steam motor has been sue
cessfuiiy testeI on the Babylon division
OF the Long Island ra'.rOAh~> II is well
known 10 most persons THAI water IN an
open vessel at or near the sea level boils
at temperature Of 2l2 degrees Fahren-
heit. On the top of q mountain II boils
at lower temperature. and confined In
a closed vessel under pressure II bcils
| at a higher temperature. IN fact, the
boiling point OF water or of any fluid Is
| determined by the pressure. This princi-
pie is made use of very ingeniousiy in the
kinetic steam motor. Instead OF pumping
| cold water into a locomotive boiler and
I 4 H.an
water under a pressure of 800 pounds to
the square inch land, therefore, far above
the ordinary boiling point Is forced al the
| terminal station into an unusually strong
boiler covered with insulating material
The water Is all ready TO expand 10
steam the moment the pressure is reiley-
ed, and a small auxiliary fire is utilized
TO make up any loss OF heat.
The ordinary locomotive boiler Is the
most wastefW OF fuel Of any form OF
steam making apparatus, and It Is said
that at least one-quarter OF the fuel Is
blown out OF the smokestack In the form
of smoke and cinders. BY heating the
water TO a high degree under pressure In
! large stationary boilers at the terminal:
the most economical fuel results are Sc
cured. Several locomotives and motors
have been constructed on this principle
at the works of the company in Whining
| ton, Del, and II is claimed that sufficient
superheated water can be provided In thii
manner TO carry a 110-tOn locomotive
with its train OF cars, at a high rate o
speed between Albany and New York
a distance OF 143 miles. A pressure Of 80
pounds TO the square inch Is by no means
| the limit for safety In these days Of nicke
steel boilers, and very much higher press
| ures have been maintained in tests.
Some of the records Of the kinetic steam
motor trials are very encouraging. in
deed. and II Is reported that on tbs
strength of these the company has receiv
ed a number Of important orders. With
out attempting to offer any opinion a:
to the practicabIlity or economy OF thi:
new motor. II Is thought the perfection oI
| the principle would be a step in the righ
direction-pamely, toward putting th'
| steam locomotive on an equality with thu
electric motor with respect TO freedom
/ from dirt and cinders. The saving in deaS
weight OF tender and coal carried on ordi
mary locomotives, added to the large sta
] tionary plant, would seem to presen
most favorable conditions from the stand
| point Of the railroad. There is, moreover
| nothing violently revolutionary in Thu
proposition. and the fact that It is attract
| ing the attention Of some railroad peO
| pie Of prominence would seem 10 indi
| cate that the device has merit in thei1
| eyes 1t Is said that this principle of stGr.
| age OF hot water under pressure in az
| insulated boiler, affording a reservoir
| from which steam may be drawn, Is ap
| plicable as well for all kinds OF motors
| such as those used in steam yachts
launches and hOrseless vehicles.