The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-07
RAILROAD NEWS.
Journey by Auto Over Stretch
of Santa Fe Track.
Trip Will Be Made From Los
Angeles to Chicago.
GO THROUGH TOPEKA.
Unique Railroad Equipped Car
to Pass This City.
Other Items Of General Interest
in Railroad World.
GO THROUGH TOPEKA.

L. A. Bryan of Geary. Ind, is plan
ming a journey never before attempted
He intends to travel over the Santa Fe
right of way from Los Angeles to Chi
cago, but will use motor car. Bryan
must travel on train schedule and
must take his own chances. He will
drive only in the day time and will
rest for several days at a time when
he reaches a spot which looks par
ticularly good.
This motor car trip is unique. 1t
is certain to attract attention through
four-cylinder forty Ell
more.
The Santa Fe officials have given
permission for the trip tc be made
over their rails. The railroad COM
pany will provide a guide through
every division will also be given the
tourers This is done TO avoid the pos
sibility of accidents.
The auto must comply with all the
rules of the read. The car will be full
~ equipped with air brakes, a set of
headlights of the most powerful type
which will throw ten times as much
light as the ordinary automobile
lamps There will also be an emery
ency brake for grades.
An entirely new plan has been
adopted by Bryan for travelling on the
rails. Instead of removing the tires
and driving on the rims the car will
have it's own tires and will be driven
without being dismantled in the least.
This will give the occupants an op-
portunity to enjoy the easy riding
qualities of the car with the addition
of the cushion of the rubber tires The
car is equipped with tires grooved with
steel studs and over these a f1ange has
been fitted that will allow the car to
travel on the surface of the rails.
This f1ange fits over the tire and
holds the car to the track, giving it a
smooth surface on whic hto travel all
the time and affording a chance for
great speed II the occupants of the
car so desire. The automobile will
not be driven at high speed, however.
as it is the intention of those on the
tour to enjoy the trip to the fullest.
The Bryan party will occupy the
place of a special when they pull out
of Los Angeles on Wednesday. The
driver will be given papers in exactly
the same way as an engineer is given
his train schedule and the car will be
started At every town the Gilmore
will be signed out for the long run to
the Windy city.
The use of the rubber tires will give
the car the braking surface which the
iron rims would not give. 1t has been
found that when travelling by auto
mobile on rails the fiat iron rims do
not give the proper braking surface
and the car is certain to skid. The
rubber will allow of the machine be-
ing stopped within a short distance.
About $4,000 has already been spent
to equip the car for the long trip. It
has everything that could be placed on
a car. There is a top. glass front,
speedometer. prestolite tank. an air
tank for filling the tires. and electric
lights for the interior of the car.
The tires are 81 by 4 u inches, and
have a wire woven tread with a steel
shield on the inside. They are said to
be nail proof. Special care has been
taken to equip the car for a long Jour-
ney. 1t will be one of the handsom est
cars that ever left Los
Angeles