Evening star., 1928-10-21

other. A diminutive electric motor
actuates the model railroad system.
The motor generator delivers 10 am
peres of current at 10 volts, which is
adequate for the operation of all the
rolling stock and the various mechani-
cal shops.
A truss steel bridge, which is true
model in every respect, and has been
made to scientific scale, is an interest
ing feature of this midget railroad.
The five locomotives which Mr.. Swart-
zell has built are of steam type, but
are driven by electricity, which is a
more practical power source for the
operation of models.
In the construction of his "steel
steeds,' this amateur craftsman has
pursued the orthodox practices of the
trained engineer First of ALL he
sketches the outline of the proposed
model, after figuring out its actual di-
mensions-boiled down figures. by the
way, which are proportional to those
in a full-scale, track engine. A de-
tailed drawing is eventually made,
which is the guide post Of the potential
construction. This model maker never
follows the "hit or miss" "cut and try
methods of the professional toymaker
Everything that he does is based on
technical principles and Is founded on
fact.
Mr. Swartzell casts form or core,
which he then uses in the production
of the aluminium casting, which repre-
Sents the body and boiler Of the dwarf
locomotive. He prefers aluminium cast
ings, because they are light in weight
and easy to manipulate. One of these
home made castings for 17-inch loco
motive model costs when completed
about ST.. The wheels and trucks are
made of brass. The delicacy of adjust
ment and accuracy of each set of
trucks as pivoted on the engine are
demonstrated by the fact that they
cling to the curves even when the loco
motive is driven at its maximum speed
of approximately IS miles an hour.
The builder places a tiny toy motor
in the casting and links 1t to the loco
motive drive wheels. The toy motors
are equipped with reversing switches,
SO that the individual engine can be
run either backward or forward. Four
teen small pieces of brass, properly
dovetailed and interlocked, are massed
together in the pilot of the engine. The
engine wheels are patterned after those
used on narrow-gauge rolling stock. but
are adapted for use on standard-gauge
track.
THE standard-gauge track is made
of brass. modelled adeptly in actual
imitation of that used on transconti-
mental trunk lines. Six hundred feet
of this track are anchored securely to
white-pine crossties, which are mounted
on the wooden base of the railroad
system. The frogs in this network of
trackage are made correctly, while the
points are soldered expertly. The many
switches are provided with both auto
matte and hand controls. The trains
are run by means of an electric gen.
orator, functioned by a quarter
horsepower electric motor. Direct cur
rent is used, because 1t moves the mod
els instantaneously. Alternating cur
rent is not so satisfactory, as loss of
power and time occurs in starting,
where 1t is yoked for such service.
The electrified railroad is so wired in
three electrical circuits that two-way
traffic and yard switching are operated
at the same time. Hence one part Of
the division can be in use while another
Is idle. In all cases electrified third
rails, in the guise of copper wires. con-
vey energy from the generator to the
train wheels. The trains, track, rolling
stock, equipment and accessories are
modelled after one of the typical divi-
sions Of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road, the oldest in the United States,
and favorite with this amateur model
maker.
One of the Swartzell locomotives is
designed in stimulation of a typical Bal
timore & Ohio Atlantic-type engine,
with the two-four-two wheel sequence.
A Vanderbilt model tender is carried,
with raised fire deck and the Gus
tomary ladder system. This tender is
provided with steam heating pipes and
is designed for either freight or passen-
ger service. Even the coupling which
connects the locomtive and tender is a
true model of the full-scale equipment.
The nicely of detail is evidenced by
the windows in the cab, which consist
Of bits of celluloid set in copper frames
This equipment was built in about so
hours Of adept hand labor The four
other locomotives in the system are as
realistic and reliable in line and di-
mension as this one.
The workshop in Mr.. Swartzell's
basement is equipped with both hand
and power tools, which he uses in
making models of railroad trains. The
small back-geared lathe ranks fore