The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1906-05-16
NEW DEVICE TO TEST TRACK
MAKES ACCURATE RECORD OF
ROADBED CONDITIONS.
Dynagraph Machine Makes Records
of RaiIway ROad-Beds and Condi-
lions of Rails More Accurate
Than Formerly.

On a side track in the Grand
Central station in New York city a
while ago there stood a car that at a
glance seemed to be different from
those near it, and while it had
somewhat the appearance OF bag
gage it had no side doors, and the
windows did not seem to be placed
lust as those of a day coach, a
sleeper or a baggage car should
have been.
On close inspection, however, it
was plain that this car did not be-
long to any railroad company, for
on the headband instead of a rail
road name there appeared in bold
letters the words "Dynagraph and
Track Indicator" extending the
whole length of the car, and in
small letters on the sides near the
middle was the name Up. II.
Dudley.
Under the double windown at
either end of the car section OF
rail was painted. which, together
with the wording, would imply
that this car had something to do
with the railroads. This was
fact. and glance into the car from
either end dispelled all doubt, for
it was quite different from any car
ever built, and it is the only one OF
it's kind in the world.
On it DR.. and Mrs. P. H. Dudley
have lived, travelled and worked for
more than a quarter OF a century,
for it is both home and workshop.
All this and more the writer found
out later, having made the acqualnt-
lance Of the owner and his enter
tanning wife. and an they were
soon to pull out of the yards on a
short tour of inspection it was his
good fortune and privilege to see
this unique car while it was in mo-
ton and performing the wonderful
things that electricity and other
forces have made possible through
the discoveries in science and me-
chanical engineering.
One end is devoted to the dyna-
graph machine, testing apparatus,
scientific instruments, and para
phernalia for roadbed and track in
spectioa. and the other is fitted
with living compartments, closets,
shelving. storerOomS and several
useful pieces of furniture, as well
as a hanging bookcase, a grand
piano and a luxurious coach, which
in the day time is piled with com
Portable sofa pillows, and at night
serves as a bed.
The object of this wonderful car
is to inspect railroads, and under
the influence of electricity and com
pressed air a record is made on
paper showing exactly where
tracks are out of line, roadbedS IT.
regular, or where tracks are de-
pressed that should be trued up
and balasted. This car and its ma
chinery can accomplish more than
a dozen men could do in twice the
time, audit does it so perfectly that
often defects in track that man
could not see, such as the depres-
sion of rails and sleepers while
train is passing over them. 1t not
only indicates this defect, but an
attachment controlled automatically
by electric and compressed air
force paints the side of the rails
where they are detected or out OF
line, so when a section boss comes
along with his gang they can repair
the roadbed.
In general appearance the dyna-
graph machine closely resembles a
small cylinder printing press. 1t
has an arrangement of gear wheels
at the side. a strip of paper passing