Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-14
TRACTION COMPAN
TOBUY s. NEW CARS
$500, 900 Equipment to I'm
prove Service-6O Old Ones
to Be Reconditioned.

An expenditure Of nearly 100000 by
the Capital Traction Co. to purchase IS
new street cars of the most modern
type and improve service in point OF
speed, riding comfort and noise reduc-
ton is involved in negotiations which
the company announced today are now
nearing completion.
Purchase OF the IS cars to replace old
equipment was authorized by the board
of directors at its meeting last May, and
company officials have been looking over
the entire field for months in an en-
deavor to obtain the best cars and
equipment available. 1t was desired to
obtain cars with all the latest devices
for increasing pickup and running
speed, to make smoother riding and to
lessen the noises of operation. The CONF
pany Is now In o. position, 1t was saIa
today, to sign contracts fog this new
equipment within o short time. Delivery
is to be made rs soon as possible and
the appearance Of the cars on Wash
ington streets is expected probably in
February.
Others May Be Bought.
The new cars, fully equipped, will
cost somewhere around 100000 and
company officials indicated that If they
prove attractive to the riding public
further plans for the replacement OF its
old cars with new ones will be carried
out in the next few years.
In furtherance of its plans for speed
ing up service making rides more COM
Portable Mnd reducing noise, the COM
pany, 1t was stated. now has under
way the reconditioning of go of its four
motor cars bought in 1919 and 1920.
These cars are being put through the
company shops at the rate OF five a
week, and with IS of them already i'll
service on the streets, the >entire lot
of go should be in operation by the first
of the year. The changes being made
will increase pickup and running
speeds. insure more comfortable riding
and reduce noise. The cost Of this work
Is about $4,000.
With the IS new cars and the 60
being reconditioned all in operation,
company officials stated that 1t will be
able to take care of a large part of the
non-rush- hour service with these We
hicles and handle considerable por-
ton of the peak loads with them also.
-Four Motors to Each Car.
The IS new cars will have four mo-
tors each, will weight about $1,000
rounds. or 10000 pounds less than the
older four-motor ones. They will be
CAPABLE of pickup and free-runn1ng
speed comparable with that OF the auto
mobile.
These cars will be equipped with au-
tomato controller devices to produce
even acceleration and eliminate jerks
at starting. They can be accelerated at
the rate of miles per hour per second,
compared with ~ miles per hour per
second in the older cars, enabling them
to get away quickly after stops. The
latest type of braking equipment VIII
be installed with greatly increased brak-
ing power over older street car models.
The trucks have been specially de-
signed. Through the use Of rubber and
fbrough a new drive there will be less
noise in operation than with the pres
emit cars. Linoleum- covered floors VIII
lessen noise, be more sanitary and give
a smoother walking surface for passen-
gers. Lights are to be placed over the
seats instead of along the center OF
the roof. giving better illumination.
The seats will be upholstered In real
leather, with bookkeeping cushions and
backs. The windows Will be wider tnan
those on the older type cars, ventilaso ! s
will be of the newest design, and all 80
will be equipped with trolley poles for
operation outside the District.
Height to Be Less.
The overall height of the new vehicles
will he less than that OF cars now In
service. bringing the center OF gravity
closer to the ground and assuring pet
ter riding qualities. The cars Will De
single end to give more comIort ano
increase seating capacity. The color
scheme will be different from the stand
ard Capital Traction green. :.
There are IS of the go cars marked
for reconditioning which have been
mt in operation and unless something
rnexnected interferes the balance Will
he trimming by the end OF the year.
These cars have been speeded up by
chenqes in the motors so that they Will
noake free running speed miles an
hour greater than before the changes
were made, and the rate Of acceleration
has been increased about 33 per cent
co that a running speed of 20 miles
an hollr can be reached in IL seconds,
connpared with Is taken previously in
attaining that speed.
The braking pressure has been in
creased from 10000 pounds on eight
wheels to 10000 pounds. The air
valves will apply the pressure more
quickly and the distance required to
bring a car to stop reduced about so
per cent. They have been equipped
with new seats, leather covered, with
double springs and concave backs to
add to passenger comfort. 4-. 80
t.~-'- I a-.