The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-10
A SPECIAL OBSERVATION CAR.
new Addition to the Mount Vernon
Railway Service.


Realizing the interest of tae tourist in
an tnose various points whose historical,
ana traditional value escapes the strsp
ger, the Washington, Alexandria and
Mount Vernon Railroad has for soms
time employed narrators thoroughly fa-
Hiilar with the country traversed BY that
road, VINO accompany the through trains.
pointing out and explaining all that will
entertain the traveller Believing that
washington has many visitors who would
wish to visit the old landmarks of Vir-
GINA and Maryland along the road in
thelr own time and at their leisure and
under the most favorable conditions the
railroad has had recently constructed A
ura"ihg room car which 1t is proposed to
place at the disposal OF private parties.
The car has just been completed and was
used yesterday for the first time by the
president of the road, who made a tour
of the line
historic landmarks cluster rrofuSeIy
in that part Of Virginia through which the
road runs. There Is Arlington. the National
Cemetery, where rest the nations dead:
Mount Vernon. the home of Washington:
the city or Alexandria. a city with I53
years OF interesting municipal history:
estates the names of whose owners in rev
oiutionary and colonial days have been
entwined with the history of the American
continent, and many minor places whose
interest Is gained from incidents OF war
or from other sources. No country is of
more interest to the traveller than that
which forms the panorama. rich with ira
ditions and historical incidents. which is
10 be seen from the car windows upon this
road
IL is that these scenes may be visited
unier better conditions than are permitted
by a train running on schedule time that
the new car has been found desirable
The car is a magnificent affair. and has
been equipped with the most approved
cCnveniences. both for comfort and in
mechanism. Longer than the cars which
are employed for the regular traffic of the
road, IL Will accommodate fifty-two pas
sengers. The cost of the car is 81, Geo On
the exterior the ear is decorated accord
ing to the usual style employed by the
road. The seats are upholstered in scar
let velvet and the woodwork trimmings
are Of natural cherry. The roof of the
car is drched with an attractive effect that
has been copied from the Pullman sleeping
cars. Novel attachments have been pro-
vided to add to the safety and quality of
this piece of rolling stock. A patent de-
vice, known as digger" which is part of
the mechanlsm of the car. is used to lift
distractions from the slot through which
the underground grip is connected with
the electrical current
No tinsel expense has been made. The
decorations are delicate and In good taste
but simple. Comfort has been considered.
above every other considerable and full
room is provided for the motorman in
which to work the levers and TO control
the progress of the car.
conductor and motormar will accom-
pany the car on its travels and to this
force will be added the most experienced
narrator that can be secured one thor
oughly acquainted with the historical
points along the route. and who will be
equally competent to present his intorma-
tion in an interesting fashion.
1t is the intention of the railroad to
place the car al the disposal OF private
parties II a moderate rental. The car can
be engaged to carry parties TO any place
on the road that may be desired. without
restrictions In view of the many re-
quests that have been made for service
OF this character 1t is hardly to be ques-
toned that the use of the ear VIII become
a popular advertisement.
Through trains to and returning from
Mount Vernon will continue to carry rar-
rat0rs. who will note the points o. in
terest along the route.