The Savannah morning news., 1904-06-19

the cars are emptied of the passengers?
To be sure. they have seen the cars
on a siding out in the yard. They
know, perhaps, that a roundhouse is a
place where engines are kept when not
in actual use. But beyond this the
ideas of the ordinary man are a bit
haZy.
AS soon as the passengers have left
train that has just come in from Il
long. dusty run, it is backed out into
the yard and the cars are set off on d
side track Men go upon them at once
and begin to put them in readiness for
the next trip. The windows are wash
ed; cars freed from all filth and dirt,
seats cleaned. water tanks cared for,
and the lamps put in order. The more
improved cars have the gas system OF
lighting. and on these the tanks under
the cars are filled from the gas pipes
that are laid alongside the tracks for
that purpose.
The locomotive, after leaving the cars,
proceeds at once to the roundhouse,
where the ponderous machine also re-
ceives a proper overhauling. First of
all the tanks are filled with water and
the fuel supply is replenished. Then
few puffs brings the firebox above
the ashpit, where the fires are cleaned
or dumped altogether. The next thing
ROundhOuse an Interesting Place.
The roundhouse itself is a most I'M
inviting place, with its soot-begrimed
walls and smoky interior. These build
ings are all constructed on the same
general lines, low one story structures,
generally built of brick and semicir-
cular in shape. The center of the cir
Gle is the center of the turntable.
Arranged along the inner side of the
building is a line of DOORS each ex-
actly like its neighbor. Under each
runs track of standard gauge, Civ
ing the whole an appearance not UNI
like spiders web, the center of
which is the turntable.
The turntable itself consists of a pit
walled with stone, across which is a
bridge free at the ends, but balanced
at the center on spindle. Rails are
laid across this, as if it were a part
of the roadbed.
When the fires of the locomotive
have been cared for, the engineer runs
his machine upon the table. With
deft hand at the throttle he brings
1t to stop at the precise point where
the hundred tons of steel balances on
the spindle that supports the bridge.
This looks like a delicate task to the
unlnltlated, but 1t must be remember
ed that the engineman knows his ma
chine as a driver knows his horse. He
understands just how it will behave
under given circumstances and governs
himself accordingly. 1t is seldom nee
essary for an experienced engineer to
throw the reverse lever in order To
bring his engine to a stop at the proper
place.
Once in. position men apply their
strength to the bars which project from
the ends of the bridge and begin to
walk along the brink of the pit. Slow
~ the whole mass revolves until the
required track is reached, and then
the engine glides gently and smooth
~ into the house. Some of the more
improved houses have power with
which to operate the tables.
watch for Broken Parts.
A roundhouse in summer when the
doors are all open presents a splendid
picture for a lover of machinery. For
each engine rs backed into the house
and, therefore, throughout the semi
circle one gets a view OF a line Of en-
gines each facting outward with the
numbers shining and headlights Rleam-
ing in the sunlight.
once within the house the engineers
duty is done. He has but 10 70 TO-
the ONCE and report In a book pre-
parei for the purpose any repsirs
that are needed and he can 20 ko-ns
assured that his machine VIII Sc reaSv
for him when he starts on the next
run.
Tue engine r. now turned over N
the rOundholiss crew; VINO 70 20 Noorlf
on q az once. The attention THAI a