Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1913-12-19
TWO NEW STEEL CARS
FOR THE SHORT LINE
Maryland Electric Railways Has
Modern Style Equipment
EVERY COMFORT FOR TRAVELLER.
New Cars Please on High Grade
Electric lnterurban Railway
The ShoTt Line.

LicCiN tutetui Dau hhHWeF
The Short Line.
The two beautiful ST eel cars of the
Annapolis Short Line which have
just arrived in the city from the Was
son Manufacturing Company, of
Springfield, Mass, are attracting a
great deal of attt ntion as well as
favorable comment. They are said to
be the finest inter-urban electric cars
south of New York
These cars are of the most modern
style and equipped with every con-
venience anC comfort for the passen-
gers. When they are put into service
the first of the year the Short Line
will indeed by an all-stt ell line-steel
cars, steel trains and steel trolley
wires. Ten more cars are to be de-
livered within the next few weeks,
making twelve Ia all at a total cost
of about $3.50, 00O,o or SIS, 600 per car.
A decidedly unique and attractive
feature of this new equipment is the
side entrance which divides the cars
in half, one end being for smokers
and the other for ladies and the Sc who
do not wish to smoke. This arrange
ment is distinct advantage over the
old type of car as the ladies are not
compelled to pass through the smok-
ing compartment in reaching seats in
their section. While the cars are in
motion the side entrances are closed
by folding doors manipulated by the
conductor by means of lever. The
lower portions of these doors are set
with wire-glass, enabling the con-
ductor to be sure thai the car is at
the station platform before the doors
are thrown open to allow passengers
to slight. The broad steps leading
down to the level of the station plat
forms are covered with a safety
tread made of composition of rub
ber which prevents slipping.
These steel cars have a seating
capacity of fifty-two with additional
facilities for about a dozen more if
the pressure of business demands
their use, the capacity being about
equally divided between the two Sec
tions. The ladies' section has the
distinction of also being what might
be called an observation car, as the
motorman is so placed at one side
that most of the car trout being of
glass, permits a clear view ahead,
seats being so arranged as to give
the passengers the benefit of the out
look as the car speeds along, an ex-
perience that will likely be a novel
one tc most of them. In this com
partment the wide aud roomy seats
with spring edges which add com
tort, are upholstered in green Royal
Wilton, while those in the smoking
room are of real leather of an at
tractive shade. On the aisle side of
each seat is a "hsnd grab" which
eliminates the "strap hanger"
The interior finish throughout is of
highly polished African maho gany
and polished brass, both very plain
and yet artistic in design, to avoid
the collection of dust and dirt. Es-
pecial attention has been given to
making the cars thoroughly sani-
tary. The floors are laid with noise-
less rubber tiles 2f attractive de-
sign, while the toilet room at one
side of the entrances is lined with
glistening white tile od four sides
and the ceiling, the floor being one
solid slab of marble. The room is
fitted with a modern water flush
closet. The smokers room will be
supplied with cuspidors, and a sani-
tary drinking cup machine will be
installed and a receptacle for the
used cups provided.
The heating and ventillating sys-
tenn has been worked out on scientific
lines. The heat will be supplied by
hot air driven along the sides of the
car at the floor. escaping into the car
beneath the seats, the force being
given by an electrically driven fan.
In the arched ceiling above the seats
are the ventillators, out of which the
air passes, insuring a constant flow
of fresh and pure air. The plate
glass windows move easily up and
down and are adjustable at any height
that may suit the passenger, while
the art glass above them adds TO the
beauty of the car. The sliding shades
cannot be gotten out of order no mat
ter how much they may be twisted
about by the traveller who ignores
the finger grips.
At night the cars will be lighted
by forty electric bulbs placed above
the seats to make reading easy. Each
seat is provided with an electric
push-button for the purpose of sig
mailing the conductor to stop when a
station IL called. All electric wires
are safegusrded by being carried in
conduits, and the switches and fuses
are encas~d in an asbestos-lined steel
cupboard in the motorman's house.
The cars are SIS feet IL inches long
and 8 feet 3 inches wide, are painted
in Tuscan red and ride on what are
known as Brill NJ. B. G. high-speed
trucks, having been brought down to
Annapolis from Springfield "On their
own wheels" They are equipped