The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-18
New Type Of Observation Cars
Will Be Introduced This
Season.
Trolley Trips for Pleasure to Be
Made Still More At
tractive.
New Track Extensions Will Make
a Great Twin City Scenic
Loop.

Minneapolis is to be the first place
in the United States to have double
decked observation cars operated over
it's electric street railway lines.
In the great shops of the Twin City
Rapid Transit company, at Thirty-hrst
street and Nicollet avenue, work IS
already under way on the first car or
the new type, and it will be ready for
business by the time observation trips
are seasonable.
Since the Rapid Transit company be-
gan building its own cars, 1t has
evolved type Of car which Is char
acteristic. The new car Is based upon
this present large standard car, the
lower compartment being practically
the same size and style. To provide
for the second-story passengers, the
roof is made fiat, and seats, holding
four each, are placed crosswise. There
is no center aisle, the seats being
entered from a passage at each side,
which is one step lower than the CEN
trail platform. Strong standards ris-
ing from the body Of the car support
a light but strong roof over the upper
deck and between these standards are
placed wire screens and spring roller
curtains to afford safety and protec-
ton against the weather. The car
thus resembles an ordinary standard
CdE Ol IllS dil-lllS-yCdl IypCj WILL e@AA
open car superimposed upon 1t.
How to Reach Deck.
Passengers desiring to enter the
lower compartment will use the Gus
tomary door and gates at the rear
Of the car. Tourists for the upper Sec
ton will climb a neat iron stairway,
entering from the side Of the car at
the forward end and ascending with
the front of the
car.
The idea Of such q car was picked
up by Vice President G. G.. Goodrich
while on a. tour of England. The
Minneapolis car, however, shows some
striking improvements over the Eng
lish cars. which are short and
"teetery," and are less than seven
feet wide, while the Minneapolis cars
will have a width of eight feet
nine inches. Despite the defects APP
parent to any American, however, the
English cars were SO popular tnat ME-.
Goodrich was impressed with the
value Of this mode OF travel In
the twin 'citiesx An additional fac
tor which prompted the INTRODUCE
ton Of the new cars here Is the
fact that this seasons extensions
will afford g. rare opportunity for the
tourist to see nearly all the points OF
, interest in both cities from an cleo
trio car without covering the same
route twice. Starting from the West
hotel, for instance, the tourist could
make the run to Lake Harriet, thru
the fine residence section of the city
to Minnehaha by way of the new
Thirty-hrst street line, thence by the
new line to Fort Smelling, across the
river and down into st. Paul. The re.
turn trip could be made by way of the
new state capitol, Como park and the
tIpr1ce ri1 he ira
eler an excellent impression Of the
best there is in both cities in a bust
ness, Industrial, residential and scenic
way.
Cars VIII Be Popular.
Inasmuch as the two cities are
famous for their natural beauty, l
goes without saying that the observa
ton car will prove instantly popula
among the thousands Of transconti
mental tourists who stop over here ev
cry summer. The bulk Of the stead.
patronage, however, is due to com
from the thousands Of people in bot
cities who occupy flat buildings tn
year round and to whom street ca
riding has become a regular summe
evening pastime. For years this pleas
ure riding has been growing in favor
and the new cars will enable tn
travellers Of this class to enjoy thei
trips under Ideal conditions.
New Cars Capacity. 80
The seating capacity Of the stand
ard car Is fifty-two; of the doubl
deckers it will be the same. To carr
the additional burden of larger con
struction the cars will be of especial
strong construction and will be pro
yided with motors capable of develop
ing $50 horse power, whereas tn
standard cars have $50 horse power
Comfort and speed are both provided
and as the new cars will be sixtee
feet from rail to roof, the upper dec
passengers will enjoy the exhilaratin
privilege of viewing the landscape an
taking deep breaths Of pure air fror
easy seats far above the street.
eff this car is a success, as we be
lieve it will be-" said Mr.. Goodric
this morning, 1--WE expect to adopt
for our White Bear line, for our Mir
netonka line, If we should build it. an
also for our interurban line"
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