Evening star., 1934-02-16
Speed Held Down.


The speed on the run to Baltimore !
and back was held way under the /
maximum Of ll0 miles an hour, due |
to restrictions imposed by the Penn |
Sylvania Railroad, over whose tracks |
the train ran. At one time, however, |
the projectilelike three-car carrier |
hit over Pennsylvania 60mile-an- |
hour limit, but passenger would /
never have known it.
Even at that speed conversation !
could be maintained at an ordinary
tone Of voice. There was no roar
as usually accompanies high speed
and the two inches Of insulation |
which is inclosed in the tubular
stream-lining kept out all noise. Only !
the click of the trucks passing over
rail ends was noticeable
Shatter- proof air-tight windows
kept out all dirt Ventilation was
accomplished through air-condition-
ing equipment, and even in crowded !
car, with men smoking. there was |
none of the stale, tobacco-laden air !
commonly associated with ordinary !
railroad coaches
Indirect lighting in the ceiling OF |
the cars was welcomed by eyes here |
tofore dazzled by the glare in out
moded trains. A pleasing treatment |
of blue, graduated from light to |
dark shades from above the windows
to the floor also was restful on the ,
optic nerve.
Cushioned Seats.
Comfortable cushioned seats Of the
latest bus type, built on a sort of
individual pattern, are much easier
on tired backs than the huge old
style coach seats. On the back OF
each seat a tray drops down so that
meals may be served, no diners be-
ing provided on the new trains.
The cars are built in an oval shape
to cut down wind resistance, and are
sort of underslung like racers to keep
the center of gravity down and pre-
vent them from turning over on
curves. Stream-lining is even carried
out on wheel covers, which resemble
the hoods over fast airplanes.
The front of the engine" is grilled,
much like the radiator of the latest
model automobile Through the grill
work air is obtained for the trains
atmospheric equipment.
In the top of the cab, or engine"
is the control cabin from which the
train Is operated Two men are on
duty together continuously. What
their titles are nobody seemed to
know. E. c. Schmidt, Union Pacifc'S
director of publicity, said the train
was so new and so different that no
designation had been chosen. They
might be called engineers, chauffeurs,
operators or pilots, he said.
President Enthusiastic.
President Roosevelt was represented
as being enthusiastic over the new
train. With his daughter, Mrs. Anna
Roosevelt Dali, his secretariat; Secre-
tary Of Treasury MOrgenthau and
Budget Director Lewis Douglas, he
went through the train a few mo-
ments before the departure for Bal
timore. Hartman, Carl r. Gray,
Union Pacific president, and other Of
ficers Of the railroad escorted the
presidential party on the inspection
tour and pointed out the latest
achievements in train designing.
Among those who made the trip
were Newcombe Carlton, president of
Western Union; C. F. Kittering, presi-
dent, General Motors Research Corpo-
ration; c. w. Hamilton, president,
Electromotive Corporation, another
General Motors subsidiary; Reclama-
ton Commissioner Elwood Mead, Mrs.
Mary Hartman Rumsey, chairman of
the N. R. A. Consumers Advisory
Board, and Henry Morgenthau, ST.,
father of the Treasury Secretary.