The St. Louis Republic., 1902-09-23
New Roadbed Is Being Constructed
and Heavy Rails Are to Re
place Old Ones.
ORDERS IN FOR FIFTY CARS,
VIII Be Equipped With Air-Brdke
Appliance, as Required
by the City
Ordinance.

According TO present plans of the St
Louis and Suburban Railway Company. the
system will be improved before the first OF
next year. The improvements will extend
20 all branches Of the service. and by
January ], 1893. the officials OF the COM
pany expect TO have new cars running on
heavy rails set in new road5ed-
Several days ago contract was given to
the St Louis Car Company for twenty
new cars Of the latest combination pat
tern fitted with the air brakes approved by
the Board of Public improvements with
the contract there was an option for thir-
~ more cars at the same price and tnes
viii be ordered in a short time
Thomas N. Jenkins, general manager OF
the system, said yesterday that the cars
ordered would be the most elaborately nm
ished Of any In St Louis. They will be oil
the same general style as the cars now In
use, but will be much longer. The seatihs
capacity will be fifty-two.
The air brakes TO be attached 10 the new
cars are said to work without hitch, ana
will fully comply with the requirements OF
the city ordinance. A test was made lasI
Friday. which was attended by ths boaru
OF Public improvements The members eA-
pressed themselves as satisfied with the
action OF the brake
1t is operated by an independent com
pressor motor located under the car Ihere
Is also an automatic attachment that reg
ulates the supply OF compressed air com
tained in the cylinders. When the pressure
falls below q certain point the attachfnenl
starts the compressor and automatically
shuts of the power when sufficient pres
sure is reached
A large number of extra trucks fitted
with these brakes have been ordered py
the company. and as fast as possible tne
cars now in operation will be fitted with
the appliances. This work VIII De done al
the Suburban company's shops.
COLOR WILL BE CHANGED.
A distinctive feature of the new cars will
be the color. The officials OF the company
recently decided that the SUBURBAN cars
should be designated by color different
from the St. Louis Transit cars. The color
decided upon is dark olive, on the ORDER
VI WORK S viii be inaGgurated in a few days
on the new roadoed- Along the company
right of way from Garrison avenue west
be used. This rail- is the same as those in
use on the big railroads OF the country
and will be conducive 10 smooth running
and safety.
In the downtown districts another pat
tern will be used, as the ''T'' rail cannot
be laid in asphalt or other paving material.
can be procured. and will weigh lO3 pounds
to the yard.
II arrangements can be made with the
ST. Louis Transit Company. the cars OF The
Suburban line Will be run on the formers
tracks while the roadbed Is being construct
ed. The plan is to switch the eastbound
cars on the Morgan at
rison avenue This line will be used until
Eighth street IS reached. The Suburban
cars will turn south on the latter street.
At Locust street they will use the old loop
through the business section.
Returning, the cars will leave Locust
street at Sevepth street. The run will be
along that -thoroughfare to- Franklin ave-
nue., which VIII be used as far as Letting
we'll, where the Suburban cars will return
to their own tracks.
In discussing the facilities the road will
have during the Worlds Fair, Mr.. Jenkins
said that nothing had been done so far. but
year. He pointed out that the Suburban
tracks practically surrounded the site, and
little difficulty would be experienced, he
thought. in securing advantageous ter
minals on the grounds.
1T is to the advantage OF the Fair as
wei! as our company that We should be
treated fairly in the NATTER continued
Mr.. Jenkins "and We have no fear but
what liberal proposition will be made by
the Exposition"