The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-07
Rock Island Has Largest Num-
Der of Steel Coaches.
New Orders Will Place Road at
Top of List,
PROVED THEIR WORTH
All-Steel Cars Have Been Sub
jected to Tests.
Other Items of General Interest
in Railroad Circles.

Orders have just been placed which
will put the Rock Island lines at the
top Of the list of owners and users Of
steel passenger cars. The latest pur-
chase is Il cars. and these added to
recent order. make a total already
provided for by the Rock Island run
ming into the hundreds. In addition to
these great many of the Pullman
cars in use on the line are of steel
frame construction. thus placing the
whole total of these safest of coaches
operated by the Rock Island at high
figure.
The pubic, especially that part of it
that travels extensively, has the keen
est interest in the adoption of steel
passenger cars. These will note with
interest the progressive policy which
prompts the Rock Island lines to take
the lead in matters that make for safe
ty as well as comfort.
Subjected to Severe Tests.
Before these cars would be accepted
by the Rock Island management the
makers were required to subject
model to tests which demonstrated that
they would stand almost any manner
Of concussion without injury, all the
time holding occupants safe from peril.
The most severe tests which years of
experience could devise were made.
There were no conceivable needs in the
exigencies of railway operation which
were not anticipated in the series of
tests, and from them all the models
come with such records as to convince
the most Skeptical of their resisting
power and safety. They are entirely
fireproof, the use of inf1ammable ma
terial being avoided without detriment
to comfort or appearance.
When one studies the detail of con-
Struction of these steel cars any doubt
to their stability is removed All
the main parts of the frame are of ex-
tremely heavy steel and both upright |
end cross pieces of the frame and roof |
are substantial enough to withstand al |
most any shock. When all these pieces |
re riveted together, and then strength |
ened by riveting on the sides, roof and |
floor sheets there is a solid box so con
structed as to resist bumps and twists
from whatever cause or direction.
Massive Steel Trucks.
To begin with. the massive six-wheel
trucks that are to be used under this
new order. and which are in use under |
all the steel cars bought thus far,
weigh about 10000 pounds per pair, or
ten tons. Then the floor construction
consists of angle shape side sills six
by six inches in their main parts. The
center stills are ''I' beams, ten inch, So
pounds, two being used. There are
many tighter sub sills and many cross
braces running at every angle to these
main stills. When the floor sheets and |
the cement bed are placed on these that
much of the car is ready for any test
L0dI Can De. SANSH
The body of the car is no less Sc
ourely built. There are many upright
and cross beams, giving firm stability
in every part. A good feature is the
fact that the outside walls of the car
and the inside walls are wholly indie
pendent of each other Another test
vas made by the makers to prove the
value of this feature An engine was
allowed to strike one of the coaches
alongside. The impact was heavy, but
the only damage was dent in the out
side wall. The inside wall was not dis
turbed and not even one seat was
Jared
This new steel equipment is richly
finished and fitted. The seats in the
coaches and the chairs in the chair car
are upholstered in good style and IN
the highes+ quality of material. The |
interior finish of the cars is in Mexican
mahogany, the plush covering on the
that wood. All cars are supplied with
gether with Pintsch gas lamps, thus
insuring illumination under every con-
dition.
Improved VentiIating System.
All cars are equipped with Garland
ventilators. the acknowledged best ven
tilating apparatus ever contrived for
railroad cars. These never produce a
draft, but they automatically cause a
complete change of air in coach every
few minutes. Cleanliness is maintained
in these cars easier than in the old
style wood cars, because of the SIM
plicity of the interior construction.