1938: Railroad Equipment

Railroads, in spite of the depression, have made notable improvements in their equipment, which to the public appear in the streamlining of trains, greater speed, and more comfortable traveling. Perhaps the most spectacular trains are the high-speed diesel engine driven, with cars of aluminum and stainless steel, which are particularly suited for long runs through thinly populated districts in the West. The Diesel-engined train is at a disadvantage where frequent stops are to be made, for it takes longer than a train of equivalent steam power to get under way again. Speeds of 100 miles an hour are common, and the running time between widely separated cities has been reduced from that made by steam locomotives. The trains, as far as passenger comforts are concerned, are the last word: cars are air-conditioned and are subdivided into rooms with beds, chairs, and other conveniences, as in a modern hotel. Of the outstanding Diesel trains put in service during the past year are the 'City of San Francisco' running between Chicago and San Francisco, the 'Rebel' between Mobile and Jackson, and the 'Super Chief' between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Of the new streamlined steam trains, the 'Twentieth Century' of the New York Central and the 'Broadway Limited' of the Pennsylvania Railroad both started running June 16, 1938, between New York and Chicago. The locomotive and cars of the 'Twentieth Century' have a striking appearance, looking like one long metal tube. Among the car features are individually air-conditioned private rooms with beds, and air-conditioned dining, bar, lounge, and observation cars. As to speed, this train makes its run from New York to Chicago, a distance of 960 miles, in 16 hours, which means speeds of at least 90 miles an hour. The 'Broadway Limited' of the Pennsylvania Railroad also makes the same run in 16 hours. The sleeping cars of this train have beds 6 ft. 5 in. long; cars are air-conditioned; a central radio control board is installed, by means of which any car not wishing to listen to a broadcast can be cut off; and there is telephone communication between cars. These new services make it now possible to ride in streamlined trains from New York, via Chicago, to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Steam locomotives on fast runs are streamlined, some being of the bullet type. For passenger trains on the Atlantic Coast line, twelve of the largest locomotives ever built for service in the South were put in operation. These locomotives are nearly 111 ft. long, have 8 drivers of 80 in. diameter, and can draw 20 Pullman cars at a speed of 90 miles an hour.

Electric locomotives now handle traffic around many large cities, and on long runs, as from New York to Harrisburg, Pa., in the East; while in the West the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific has for many years operated electric trains over distances of several hundred miles. The New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad put in service 6 large streamlined electric locomotives on the fast run between New York and New Haven. Each is 77 ft. long, weights 432,000 lb., has electric motors developing 3,600 h.p., and can haul 1,200 tons at 80 miles an hour.

In streamlined Diesel, electric, and steam locomotives, many parts are of alloy iron and steel to secure increased strength without increasing size and weight. Aluminum, stainless and low alloy steels are used in building modern passenger cars, where welding is employed where practicable. It is now common practice to build freight, also coal, cars of low alloy steel. This saves weight and consequently gives increased carrying capacity, with the additional advantages of greater strength and durability, over cars of plain carbon steel.

England's fastest streamlined train, the 'Coronation Scot,' is to be shipped to the United States for exhibition in the spring of 1939, to be shown first at New York World's Fair. This will afford an interesting comparison of English and United States locomotives and cars.