The times., 1899-09-20
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, JR.
The Young Mnn Who Has Invented n
Firebox-His Mechanical Tastes.

(From the New York TsibIlne)
Cornelius Vanderbilt, jr.. who has just
perfected an invention that facilitates the
removal Of the fire box from an engine,
and thereby reduces materially the clean
ing OF this important part of a locomotive.
as well as expediting the work consider
ably has always shown great aptitude
for mechanical work. Despite his wealth,
he has gone into the shops, and, clad in
jumpers. has worked around the machinery
like an ordinary laborer. He has asked for
no especial privileges, and has quietly ac-
cepted Office discipline and been regular
in his work. He is well qualified TO run
locomotive. and on the trials of the new
engine built under his supervision and
from his plans. he rode in the cab and
handled the lever.
Mr.. Vanderbilt is slim, smooth-Shaven.
unpretentiOus worker. He is on cordial
terms with all those with whom he comes
In contact. and seems to have gone into
engineering with serious intentions OF
making il his life work After his mar
riage to Miss Grace Wilson. and the re-
suitant estrangement from his father. he
accepted the situation quietly and sur
prised his friends by returning to Yale
for post graduate course in the Shelf
field School of Science. He worked hard
at his studies and was painstaking IN eF-
cry detail. He especially devoted himself
to engines, and made a thorough study OF
every minute part Of the intricate machin-
cry that goes TO make up 4 locomotive
While there he paid especial attention to
the fireboS. and made rough pans for
a new frebox which could be readi y re-
moved and reattached. He learned thar
efforts had been made in Germany TO i'm
prove upon the firebox attachment, but
that the trial had failed. He also heard
that several attempts had been made in
this country to provide a nsW style o.
flrebox. but with indifferent results.
UndaGntsd, however, ne went ahead.
When he left the school he came to New
York and went into the Office of the super
intendent of motive power and rolling
stock as draughtsman. and continued to
hammer away at his plans He did his
work faithfully, and asked no especial
privileges and received none When he
felt that he had his plans in shape he
asked that an engine be built along the
lines he suggested. The engine was built
in Albany at the shops there. and is now
in use daily on the Mohawk division. IL
runs well. steams well. hauls its load
nicely. and in every way seems satisfae-
tory. Mr. Vanderbilt, in discussing his
work spoke modestly OF it. He still con-
tinues at his daily routine work. but has
g fad for locomotives. and in time hopes
to effect other improvements. In a dis-
eussion of the new engine, and how he
came to build it. he said:
THE old style OF boiler is pear shaped.
surrounding 4 frebox, which is OF similar
shape This form of construction 1eces-
STATED the use of many stay bolts or
braces placed between the boiler and the
inner frebox-
In this new design the boiler and ire
box are perfectly eylindical. doing away
with the necessity for stay bolts, the fire.
box being held in place by slingstays from
the top OF the boiler. A greater heating
surface Is also presented, and there is a
freer circulation Of steam around the fire.
box The new frebox may be removed
from the engine, when it becomes necessary
10 do So while taking off the cab. It
may be done in less than half the time
required 10 remove the box in the present
type Of engine.
The engine was given two very severe
trials over the Mohawk division. 13S miles.
with fifty freight ears behind II on one tFin
and siXty-three on the second. That was
an exceptionally severe test for new eE-
gine. but / am satisfied with its perform
anee. 1t steamed weTl. hauled the trains
easily, and made excellent time. The en-
tire engine was designed by me. but the
new features are the boiler and the hre-
box. The principal saving VIII be ii TIE
maintenance Of the engine, the cutting 81
the back headstays ard the slingstaTs BE-
ing all that is necessary TO remove the fire.
box. After I had completed my own de-
sigas for the engine I learned that the
same hing had been attempted in Germany
but that attempt was rot successful 4
trial OF design somewhat similar e.
mine was also made in this country. but
did not succeed"