The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-09
PALACES ON WHEELS.
Greater Luxury and Greater Simplicity
 on Pennsylvania Special.

From the Washington Post
 The Pennsylvania special, the eighteen hour flyer between New York and Chi cago will be equipped with the superbly appointed new cars which the Pullman company has just turned out for this service.
 This new equipment, representing the highest type of modern car construction, will render the service performed by the Pennsylvania Special not only speedy, but exceedingly luxurious.
 The new cars combine several new fea- lures not heretofore seen in Pullman cars. While there has been but little change in outward appearance, the fitting up of the interiors show several radical departures from the style of car hereto fore in use on the Special"
 The new cars are painted the standard red color adopted long since as the mark of Pennsylvania railroad equipment The Iron railing surrounding the wide obser- yation platform in the rear of the train Is constructed of plainly turned brass rods, instead of the grilled railing now in use. In fact. simplicity is the motif of the entire decoration of the train. The elaborately carved berth fronts and in- teror fittings of the composite and ob- servation cars have given way to the use of highly polished woods treated in inlay work with chaste but artistic designs There are no corners in the sleeping cars to catch dust, and general, impression of the car Is one of great cleanliness. Each of the new sleepers Is finished fin yer million wood, which is susceptible of a high polish. delicate tracery of inlay work is the sole ornament to the beauti- full graining of the wood. which shines like mirrors face. So far as was pos sibe this severe and simple scheme has 11 nit ra1n eli Affa
 The lavatories and special bathrooms of these new trains have also been mod ernized. Instead of the old dark wooden lined lavatories, one steps into room lined-ceilng, floor and walls-with a pure white tile of hard rubber. The very finest plumbing accessories have also been installed The stateroom and the commandments in the observation cars have each separate and distinct toilet ap- pliances. Another new feature is the in- troduction of a gas water heater, so that passengers may have a full and ample supply of hot water summer and winter. In the composite car great care has been taken to render 1t just as attractive as the observation car. The broad win dows so appreciated feature of this car as at present in use, have been re- tained and wherever possible elaborate wood carving and the use of heavy drap- cry has been avoided. The space occupied by the bathroom and barber shop is di- vided from the rest of the car by simply constructed columns with but slight carving at the top.
 The fittings of the observation cars are in excellent taste As in the other cars. the main scheme of decorations has been the use of highly polished woods, inlaid with lighter colors. The great plateglass windows, four feet three inches by three feet four inches, have been kept free from obstructing woodwork or drapery. except at the top, thus securing a free view of the passing scenery A handsome desk occupies prominent place near smaller desk for the use of the official stenographer attached to each train. Be- hind Ieaded glass doors on each side of this desk will be found the free library for the use of passengers. The compart- ment feature of the train by which pas sengers secure privacy not to be obtained in any other way, has been materially improved in the new equipment The sleeping cars each contain one state room and one drawing room, which by a simple device of folding back the divid- ing walls may be converted Into an apartment as comfortable as ones bed room. The stateroom contains a large locker in which clothes may be hung up, and a complete toilet outfit which folds snugly up within this locker.
 The electric lighting of these trains has been revised considerably. The use of elaborate chandeliers has been discon- tinued and small lamps are disposed in many places about all the cars.