The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-30
NEW WAR
Armored Traction Trains Evolved From
Armored Railroad Trains.

II has been found. In the war IN South Africa,
that tho armored trains run on tho permanent
railroad tracks have not proved 40 eflcient as
was expected. This Is due mainly 10 the fact
that the Beers we're able to locate them 80 read.
lly. since they were, OF course. confined 10 the
railroads. After destroying tho roadway at
any point, they could at once locate their guns
TO cover the points where the nrmored train
would be stopped. and prepare TO destroy It on
lis arrival, for armored trains are protected
only against small-arm fire. II having been
found impracticable as yet to protect thsm
against artillery fire.
But a train protected against rife fire IA still
OF great service in war: therefore England de-
| cided last fall 10 have a number OF armored
traction trains constructed for service, As
they GO across country they arc not confined TO
the railroad lines. and so they cannot be 90
easily awaited or taken when seen,
Unprotected traction engines were used for
transport purposes in 1870. the Germans NOV
ing their siege guns around Metz by their aid.
In tho war In South Africa they have had mors
| ex,er dod application, but when unprotected by
armor they are 50 easily subject 10 capture,
even bv the enemy'a raidinc parties, that they
reouire n convoy ~ troops 10 protect them.
II. no wevcr, they were armored. the gun de-
tachmcnts OF the guns transported. or In tass
| other material Is transported. OF guns specially
| mounted, could protect themselves, and
artillery would be required for their capture,
For these reasons England had six such trac-
ton trains constructed, each consisting Of one
armored engine and four bullet-proof cars. two
| OF which were recently completed and tested.
In the test the cars were loaded with pig iron
10 represent the load to be carried on service.
md two 8-;nch howitzers were hooked on at the
end of the trim, making the load behind the
engine thirty-threc IONS. With this load the
engine found no difficulty In ascending a hill
"a steep az | in 10. The engineer has only two
narrow Sits on each side Of the fre box ne peep
holes for observation IN steering. nevertheless.
he took part Of the train tone car and a howtt-
ger dragging behind it, over a neWy plouRhed
fed and through a gate only to linches wider
than the engine.
The wheels. for ordinary roads. have riveted
to them strips Of tees, about 6 Inches across
| and 2 inches high. forming regular teeth. CIV
Ing an excellent bite on the ground; for very
soft ground special spuds are provided. which
are sections of I iron. about 6 inches deep.
Hanged TO hook over the edge of the wheel rim.
and so arranged as 10 be put on or taken OF
quickly and readily. For still softer ground. a
rope Is provided. by means Of which. when
fastened to any fixed subject ahead. the engine
can pull itself along.
The boiler. engine and gears are inclosed In
one quarter inch nickel-steel plates. capable Of
resisting the small-arm bullet at % feet, stop
ping shrapnel or shell fragments.
The cars are designed TO take a 8-inch breech-
loading howitzer and its timber inside. or a A.
inch gun. II the guns are dragged along be-
hind, the cars are used TO carry ammunition
900 rounds for howitzer or 1925 fora finch gun.
each>. The cars are protected by u inch verti-
cal armor, and s-io-inch side armor. inclined at
80 degrees. For loading and unloading each
car Is provided with two inclined ramps Of
heavy steel. The rear Of each car can be opened.
and by means Of the traction rope the engine
can haul up the load.
This new war material Is c~arefully~tudied BY
all military nations. since II will undoubtedly
find even greater application In a future Wal.
and because OF the immense importance Of
transportation In general for an army IN the
field. Draught animals everywhere arc being
displaced by other forms Of power. and the
domain Of war is no exception. Il b I'll tAs
more important to study this new material
under the present circumstances. because It'll
being tested under war conditions. and ths
results will furnish the best available data FOR
any future application Oft.