The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-19
FORD INVENTS FAST
MOTOR STREET CAR
New Vehicle Will Make 20
Miles an Hour, Auto Man
Declares.
TO RACE RAILWAY TRAIN
Trip From Detroit to Chicago
Ahead Of Wolverine Filler
Is Planned.
special Despa tchN 10 TuE SUI.


DETROIT, Oct. 1s.--An internal COM
bustion engine to be used on street rail-
way cars upon which Henry Ford has
been working for several months has
been completed, and with II he expects
to revolutionize transportation by the
street railway and interurban route.
Friday II had its first tryout In the
Ford experimental shops at Dearborn.
Both Mr.. Ford and his general man
ager, Charles E. Sorensen, said they were
delighted with the trial tests and con-
fldent that their conservative estimates
as to power and speed will be consider
ably exceeded. Henry Ford said: IL am
convinced that this motor will make 1t
possible for cheaper and faster trans
portation." Charles Sorensen said
Mr. Ford and have worked long and
hard to get finished job which will
cut weight 90 per cent We have Won
Present plans call for the sending of
the first street car over the Michigan
Central tracks at the speed Of seventy
miles an hour. 1t will leave just ahead
of the Wolverine flyer, the fast train
between Detroit and Chicago. and race
it for a time record. The test will prob
ably be made within forty days.
New Type of Motor.
The power unit which will move the
car represents a new combination of
functions. 1t is a motor. an air COM
pressor, an electrical generator and a
heating and lighting plant all in one.
All operations necessary for the con-
troll of the car are centred in the motor.
And all this is accomplished with a
10 per cent. reduction in weight as
compared with the power and control
equipment of the ordinary electric car.
The motor is of the double opposed
type and generates its own electricity
for ignition and lighting. Opposing pis-
tons are linked to the same throw and
entirely new designs of linked rod are
used.
The power that moves the car also
congresses the air for the brakes and
generates electric current for the light
ing and signal system, while fan,
bolted to the front end of the starter,
draws air in through the housing of
the motor where it is heated and then
exhausted through heating pipes to
warm the car. This point-the heating
of car by motor exhaust-is very
interesting.
Front and Rear Drive.
Another feature of the new car will
be the front and rear drive. the power
being transmitted by light flexible shafts
TO both the front and rear trucks.
The power plant of the new type of
car weighs about 1850 pounds. The
whole car will weigh when completed
about seven tons, as compared with the
twelve to fourteen tons of the present
type of electrically equipped car
The rate OF speed TO be produced Will
depend entirely upon the rate desired
The car can make 10 miles an hour. 1t
is matter OF gearing to reduce that
10 whatever rate of speed the regula-
lions of a city or an interurban line
may call for. There will always be eX-
cess power available.
Several cities which have street rail-
way problems have invited the Ford
people to demonstrate the cars on their
streets
A feature which will appeal to cities
which have billy streets Is the hill climb
ing power of the car. 1t can ascend a
! per cent. grade at 90 miles an hour
on high The car is equipped with both
air brakes and foot brakes.