The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-24
FOURTH EXCURSION
 IS B|G SUCCESS The Chamber of Commerce Visits Car Plant WORK DEMONSTRATED Party Left L. & N. Station in Special Train at ? 0'Clock-Car Plant
 Is Thriving Young
 Industry
WORK DEMONSTRATED

The fourth industrial excursion of the Chamber of Commerce was held yester- day afternoon, the point of interest being the plant of the Birmingham Car and Manufacturing company in North Bir- mingham. The car company had arr ranged for a special train which was waiting at the Louisville and Nashville depot at o'clock Fully 125 members of the Chamber of Commerce were on hand at the appointed hour and from the first toot of the engine in the station yards to the changing of the bell calling all aboard for the homeward journey the time was spent in pleasure and in becoming acquainted with one of Birmingham fore most industries
 Started at 3 O'Clock
 The train left the depot at a little after 2 o'clock and was switched dl- reetly into the companys plant. C. E. Foust general manager of the plant, and J. H. Lehman, one of the superintcnd- ents, were on hand to pilot the excursion ists throughout the various departments and to explain just how car wheels are made. Before entering upon the tour of inspection however the party was served wirh sandwiches, lemonade and other light refreshments. After prolonged delay at the lunch counter, MT Foust got his forces marshaled into line and took them first to the foundry of the plant On the outside of the building was a large crane like affair which is used in testing the finished car wheels. The regulation M. C. B. test is to drop a 200 pound weight from height of 10 feet upon the wheel five times If the wheel is durable and in good condition 1t will not be damaged in the least by the ter rife impact. The excursionists were stopped before the testing machine and a wheel was put in place. After drop ping the weight 10 or F times from the required height it did not break, nor was it even feazed when the heavy weight was dropped from a greater height From here the party entered the foundry where the foundry superintendent. R. F. Queen, was very generous In carrying out a few tests for the benefit of the visitors. He also had the moulders make one of the car wheels while the party was in the foundry and carefully ex- plained the scientific methods necessary for the building of perfect wheel
 Wheel Test Made
 The thermal test for finished wheels vas also carried out in the foundry This test is one where the finished product is surrounded by molten metal for two minutes. If it does not crack in that time it is known to be per feet. The metal was left around wheel for about five minutes yester- day and the wheel was not damaged
 The pattern room. the axle room and every room in the large plant was visited by the excursionists. who were loud in their praise of the young in- dustry. For the Birmingham Car and Manufacturing plant was only organ ized in 1907. It was organized with a capital stock of s200,000 and fs carry ing on a vast business in Birmingham. II furnishes all of the car wheels used on inc Queen and Crescent railroad one-half of the wheels used by the Frisco and the Southern railroad, the Louisville and Nashville. the Birming- ham Railway Light and Power com- pany all use car wheels made in the ucal plants. Not only this trade but the car wheels for the Memphis Street Hallway company are made here.
 The speciality of tho plant is mine tram cars and wheels. They had on exhibition an a1l-stecl mine tram car with 2 ball bearing axle movement All sorts of ear wheels are made in the North Birmingham shops and st is a really remarkable plant.
 While the party was inspecting the plant the special train met with s slight accident while standing on the siding. A freight train was pushed into lit, but no serious damage resulted
 The excursionists came back to the city about o'clock. after having spent t most enjoyable afternoon at the ear plant Few of the men were really acquainted with the amount of work done by the plant and if was d reyels tion 10 them to see the works In oper- ation The coupany's men did every thing in their power 10 look after the welfare and entertainment of their guests and treated them In royal manner.
 The date and place of the next cN- cursion will be announced later.