The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-15
Another Mechanical Device Is
Invented by W. E. Buck.
Water Level Gage Placed in
Use by Santa Fe Railway.
DESIGNED BY NH .HAlG
Mechanical Engineer at Topeka
Works Out Buck Model.
Other Items of General Interest
i'm Traffic World.
DESIGNED BY M.H.HAIG

W T. Buck superintendent OF mo-
tive power of the santa lie, fas given
his road another valuable mechanical
applianc=an invention perfected oy
him. Two other devices have been an
nounced by the state journal IN th-
last 30 days. The water ieNei gage
mentioned below is announced D. SANTA
Fe Employees Magazine:
Mr.. Buck. superintendent o1 motlve
power has had several Ingenious mOQ-
els of his water level ga e made 1or
the purpose OF instructiHg engineers
as 10 the effect on the water lever II
the boiler in ascending or descending
steep grades. These modcis are oein8
distributed at the various DIVISION
points, where the road foremen VIII
give demonstrations to the engineers,
who viii also be eaeoura1ed 70 use me
device themselves whenever they de-
sire
The model includes a frame support
ed at its center of gravity IL such 2
manner that it may be swung 70 Narl-
Gus positions and secured II any de-
sired position This frame carries
blueprint showing the section OF 10
conceive boiler Several different frames
have been provided, each frame car
rv1nc q different boiler, sufficient
number being included to cover the
principal classes Of locomotives on the
system
Attached TO the swinging frame 5
an indicator arrangement, the pointer
grade that a locomotive would be as
cending when the boiler model IS ad-
1usted at a certain angle. This Is ar
ranged to show a grade from zero 10
per cent Inasmuch as there are
number OF heavy grades On SeNerat
sections of the system and While ~
per cent is by no means uncommon,
there are several grades ever per
cent, and some 81 per cent the limit
of 4 per cent shown on the model IS
nor u0rpaSO0a BILE
THE frame carrying the blueprint
as well as the indicating mechanism,
is supported by a wooden frame that
permits il 10 be moved as desired and
locates II at a convenient height This
frame also carries an adjustable me-
chanism holding q wire representing
the water level which stretches across
in front Of the boiler chart The ne
chanism CHE photographs show an
earlier arrangement) which carries TINS
wire is so constructed that il will be
level at all times and permits II TO be
readily adjusted at any height above
the crown sheet or at any sage OF
water.
zone OF the illustrations shows the
boiler on a level track. OF zero per
cent grade, with one gage Of water in
the boiler. On this the depth OF water
at any point readily can ne seen and
measured. The other photograph shows
the lomotive descending a 31e per cent
grade and the level Of the water which
showed one gage when the locomotive
was on the level The bare crown sheet
resulting is illustrated very strikingly.
The effect when ascending the same
grade or Of going up or down any grade
can. Of course. be shown equally Well
This device was originated by Mr..
Buck and the details were designed and
the models constructed under the
supervision of N. H. Haig mechanical
engineer at Topeka A patent TO cover !
has been obtained