The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-09
RAILROAD NEWS.
Santa Fe Getting Order of New
Freight Locomotives.
Are Similar to Those in Passen-
ger Service.
MODERN PRAIRIE TYPE
Equipped With the Player Trac-
tiOn Increaser.
VIII Be in Service on Eastern
Grand Division.
MODERN PRAIRIE TYPE

Railroad men are interested in the or
der of seventy-five new Prairie type
compound freight locomotives which
the Baldwin works at Philadelphia has
begun filling for the Santa Fe. It is
understood that a few of them already
have arrived at Fort Madison, Iowa. al
though none have got as far west as
Topeka
According to the Railway Age they
are representatives of the most modern
design in engine construction in line
with the policy of progressiVeness when
the road is pursuing, especially under
the new administration Of George r.
Henderson, superintendent OF motive
power. The diversity of operating con-
ditions under which the Santa re mas
TO meet are seldom found on the ROADS
of this country, thus making the prob
len of power and equipment relatively
more difficult. After tests calculated 10
assist in determining the class best
suited to the Santa Fe, the Prairie mas
been chosen. 80 of The same kind al
ready having been given a trial in pas
Eenger service.
One of the interesting modern inn
proven ents on these engines IS the
traction increaser, the invention OF John
Slayer, consulting superintendent OF
machinery, it being particularly useful
on lines where there are alternate steep
grades and stretches of level track. BY
means of this the normal weight on the
drivers may be increased by the add
ton of part shifted from the forward
and rear trucks. This is accomplished
by changing the relative proportions Of
the leverage in the equalizers leading
from the drivers to the trucks
The spring rigging equalization is
divided, the rear drivers and truck and
the forward drivers and truck being
connected. Means for transferring the
weight are provided at both ends OF the
n "a 80
purpose. The forward cylinders are
placed over the forward truck, and two
cylinders are used at the rear. one on
either side of the engine. their piston
rods being connected by a bar extend
ing tranSVersely OF the engine under
meath the equalizer between the rear
truck and back driver. These cOnnec-
tons are shown in detail A separate
reservoir, connected to the main reser-
VOir, supplies air for operating the trac-
ton increaser All three cylinders are
applied simultaneously pipes leading
from each to a Sway cock placed in the
cab. This is attached to the reverse
lever in such a manner that when the
latter is in the corner either in full
forward or backward motion the trac-
tfOn increaser viii be applied. but as the
lever is moved toward the center it is
cut off and the air exhausted from the
cylinders
Thus, the additional weight is only
available when the engine is exerting
its maximum power Means for cutting
out the traction increaser altogether are
furnished which may be operated by the
engineman when desired. It has been
practically demonstrated that the loco
motives now in service equipped with
the traction increaser' use much less
sand. as it is seldom necessary to make
an application except under the most
unfavorable conditions of track; and it
is reasonable to suppose that as a conse-
quence not only is a saving effected in
the amount of sand used but that it viii
result in a much less rapid wearing of
the tires. These engines, which will go
ia freight service, have an estimated
total weight of 100000 pounds, 135 600
pounds resting on the drivers This Will
be increased by the use of the traction
increaser to nearly $4,000 pounds. The
rigid wheel base is 10 feet 8 inches, the
total wheel base Of the engine is % feet
2 inches, and the total length of the en-
CINE is such that it may be turned on a
60-foot table. The cylinders are Vauclain
type of compound, II and IS inches
diameter by % inches stroke. The diam
eter of drivers being So inches, the en-
gines viii exert a uactive force of about
$4,000 pounds when working compound.
The tender has a capacity of 5000 gal
Ions of water.
They VIII go in service on the eastern
grand divisions Of the road, between
chicago and La Junta.