Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-01-01
New and Attractive Equipment
OF the Annapolis Short Line.
Modern Convenience and
Comfort for its
Patrons.

Inc TWO DeautiiuI new steer cars Oh
the Annapolis Short Line which have
just arrived in the City from tile Was
son Manufacturing Company, of
Springfield. Mass, are attracting a
great deal of attention "a well as favor
able comment They are said to he
the finest intcr-urban electric cars
south of New York.
These ears are of the most modern
style and equipped with every con-
vcnicncc and comfort for the paSScn-
gers. When they are put into service
the first of the year the Short Line
will indeed he an all-stccl line steel
ears. steel rails and steel trolley wire.
Ten more of these cars are to he de-
livercd within the next few weeks max
ing twelve in all at IA total cost of about
$4,000, or $1,000 per car.
a decidedly unique and attractive
feature of this new equipment II the
side entrance. which divides the cars
in half, one end being for smokers and
the other for ladies and those who do
not wish to smoke. This arrangement
is distinct advantage over the old
type of car. aS the ladies are not COM
PEELED To pass through the smoking
compartment in reaching seats in their
section. While the cars are in motion
the side entrances are closed 10y fold"
ing doors, manipulated by the con-
ductor by means of "a lever. The low
er portions of these doors are set with
wirc-glasS, enabling the conductor To
be sure that the car il at II station
platform before the doors are thrown
open to allow passengers To alight
The broad steps leading down to- the
level of the station platforms are
covered with safety tread made of a
composition of rubber which prevents
slipping.
These steel cars have seating capa-
city of -. with additional facilities for
about "a dozen more il the pressure of
business demands their use. the capa-
city being about equally divided be-
tween the two sections. The ladies
section has distinction of also being
what might an observation car, "a the
motOrman i so placed at one side
that most of the car front 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 cX-
perience that will likely he a novel
one to most of them. In this com
partment, the wide and roomy seats
with spring edges which add comfort
are upholstered in green Royal VIII
ton, while those in the smoking room
are of real leather of an attractive
shade. On the aisle side of each seat
is hand grab" which eliminates
"strap hanger
The interior finish throughout is
highly polished African mahogany
and brushed brass, both very plain:
yet artistic i'm design tn avoid the col
lection of dust and dirt.
Especial attention has been given To
making the cars thoroughly sanitary.
The floors are laid with noiselcsS rub
her tiles of attractive design, while
the toilet room at one side of the en-
frances is lined with glistfning white
tile on four sides and the ceiling: the
floor being one solid slab of marble.
The room i fitted with II modern water
flush closet. The smokers room will
be equipped with cuSpidorS and a
sanitary drinking cup machine will be
installed and "A receptacle for the used
cups provided.
has been worked out of scientific lines.
The heat will he 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 10y an
electrically driven fan. In the arched
ceiling above the seats are the venti-
lators, out of which the air passes. in
surfing constant flow of fresh and
pure air.
The plate glass windows move easily
up and down and are adjustable nj
any height that may suit the pasSen-
ger, while the art glass above them
adds to- the beauty OF the car The
sliding shades cannot be gotten out of
order no matter how much they may
he twisted about by the traveller who
ignores the finger grips.
At night the cars will bc lighted by
40 electric bulbs placed above the
seats to make reading easy. Each
seat is provided with an electric push
bottom for the purpose of signally the
conductor to stop when station is
called. All electric wires are safe
guarded by being carried through
conduits and the switches and fusscS
are encaScd in an aSbcStoS-lincd steel
cupboard in the motormans' house.
IltA cars arr .lD 4tNt IL
and q feet ; inches wide: are painted
in Tuscan red and ride on what are
known as Brill NJ. BIC, high speed
trucks, having been brought down tn
Annapolis from Springfield ''oh their
own wheels" They are equipped with
standard automatic couplings, SINH
lar to those on the steam railroads
with air brakes, emergency kits and
other safety devices.
The motorman's comfort and con-
yeniences for handling the cars with
the greatest safety have not been for
gotten. An adjustable seat that may
he quickly folded out of the way or
used as the driver desired is provided,
and in the corner of his house is the
emergency hand brake, within easy
reach of the paragraph or trolley
control. and behind him the cupboard
in which are all of the switches con-
trolling the head and car lights.
When the new ears are put in service. |
which is expected To be ON the first OF
the wear. there will he a very radical
improvement in the system a the pres |
ent alternating current OF 600 volts |
will be eliminated and a direct current |
OF only I,2OO volts utilized over "a steel
trolley wife, thus reducing the possi- |
bility of accident.
Then the Short Line will be one of
the highest-grade electric inter-urban |
railways in the country.