STEAM HORSE FOR STREET RAILWAYS

Mr. S. R. Mathewson of Gilroy, Santa Clara county, Cal., has recently devised a new motor for street cars, an illustration of which is given herewith. The following description, by the inventor, will explain its operation: " The design is to make a, machine resembling a horse in form, so as not to frighten the horses on the streets. To this end the form shown is chosen. The motive power is steam, generated in a tubular boiler of from four to five horse power, located inside of the horse and forward of the cab. This drives a rotary engine of my own patenting, which is geared to the driving shaft of the machine. I also propose the use of gas as fuel, so as to do away with smoke. The steam is condensed in cold water carried in a tank of sufficient capacity on top of the cab. Gas is compressed in suitable tanks to a pressure of from 80 to 100 lbs. per square inch, and is used as fuel. The boiler is so constructed as to receive a supply of hot air to feed the flame the gases from which, after passing around the boiler. are conducted around the engine to prevent loss by condensation. The water is forced into the boiler from the condensed steam chamber. The engine is provided with a brake capable of stopping the apparatus within a space of twenty feet, while under a speed of eight miles per hour."

The inventor points out that the engineer could easily control the machine, and also collect fares and perform other duties usually done by conductors. He claims that the cost of running the apparatus will not exceed one dollar per fifteen hours, that it may be very cheaply constructed, and that its use would be productive of a very large saving to street car companies. He also states that the weight of the machine will be from 2,800 to 4,000 lbs., and that it will run at from 4 to 20 miles per hour. A cow catcher is provided, and suitable devices arranged for attaching cars.

A signal bell is fixed above the horse’s head; and a lantern in front serves as a head light to give warning of its approach, when the machine is running on dark streets at night.

For further information, address the inventor as above:

(P. O. Box 110), or Levi Doane, Esq., San Francisco General Post Office, San Francisco, Cal.