Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-12-31


the plans and specifications for the
proposed structure are now practically
finished, but before the task is com
menced the Chicago city council will
have to be dealt with and considerable
condemnation of streets and property
will have to be done. Twenty millions
are to be used in the securing Of the
land for the structure and the remain
ing ten millions will be spent in the
construction of the magnificent build.
ings.
AS planned by the engineers the site
OF the new terminal will occupy seven
city blocks in the most valuable part
OF Chicago. The present site OF the
Union depot will be used as nucleus
and on the seven blocks Of which the
structure will be the center, will be
erected a group Of supply and storage
warehouses, a huge freight warehouse
and passenger depot which will be
more than adequate to meet the de-
mands Of the railway lines now enter
ing the Union depot.
At the present time there are four
lines Of railroad other than the Penn
sylvania line proper with terminals in
the Union depot These are the Chi
cago, Burlington & Quincy, the Mil
waukee & St. Paul, the Chicago e AL
ton and the Panhandle, which is a
part of the Pennsylvania system. 1t is
understood that each Of these compa.
MES practically has agreed to sign
long-term leases under which 1t will
share in the terminal right 1t now
holds by agreement with the Pennsyl
van1a company.
New Invention.
Three officials Of the Alton road
have conceived a unique invention,
which they have just patented. 1t is
calculated to promote rigidity for
joints of rail, especially when in.
sulated for the electric blocks or other
electric systems. The great trouble
with the ordinary joint is that the
wear and tear of passing trains re-
suits in the ends of the rail working
up and down, breaking the insulation
and making an annoying jar for oc.
cupants of the coaches. With all cleo.
trical connections where copper sheet.
ing is used for insulation metal plate
about twelve inches wide is used on
which the ends of the rail rests. The
device patented by the Alton officials
compromises an extension of the fish
plate so that 1t will curve outward
and lay fiat upon the lower plate, al.
lowing for contact Of perpendicular
bolts In addition to the usual horizon.
tai bolts which extend either through
the iron or wood fish plate. The ad
dition Of the perpendicular bolts to the
horizontal promotes rigidity and pre-
serves the insulation. In addition the
constant vibration and working up
and down of the two sections Of the
connecting rail and which frequently
results in the breaking off of the bolt
will be prevented by the additional
bolts. The invention is attracting
much attention in railway circles.
Title OF Brakeman Passing.
The title of brakeman on passenger
trains may soon become extinct. The
Alton no longer uses the word. but has
substituted ,flagman instead. In the ole
days the brakeman on passenger trains
really twisted brakes, but now that has
all been changed. The duty Of the con
ductor's assistant Is largely to watch
the rear end and protect 1t from ap
preaching trains. Incidentally he looks
after the comfort Of the passengers
tests the air when the switchmen cou
pie or uncouple the engines and has
other duties of like character. The
Pennsylvania road has decided that the
word guard" the English style, II
preferable to brakeman and this ma.
be adopted. The word "lagman" is
however, far more appropriate. and i
change is made on the Eastern roads
it will probably have superior claims
to the one suggested on the Pennsyl
| vania.