The illustration on the opposite [page] describes our locomotive No. 1. It was built in Portland, Me., and is probably the first Bicycle locomotive ever constructed. At the first public trial, which took place in September, 1888, at Gravesend, L. I., were present some of the most prominent railroad men in the country. Its capabilities for speed were satisfactorily demonstrated, but owing to the shortness of the road, no especially high rate of speed was attained.
This machine weighs 23 tons. It has two 12 × 14 inch cylinders, and a driving-wheel 8 feet in diameter. It has a traction of about 300 tons. There is no doubt that this machine could easily maintain a speed of 100 miles an hour, drawing a train of Bicycle cars, with a seating capacity more than equal to that of the longest standard gauge train.
The steaming capacity of the boiler has been found to be very great, and entirely adequate to perform the work required of it. The extraordinary height of the fire-box, 6 feet from grade to crown sheet, forms a natural combustion chamber, causing great economy in the consumption of fuel.
This machine was found to be heavier than was necessary for the Coney Island road, and locomotive No. 2, a much lighter machine, is now used in its place.
Bicycle Locomotive No. 1.
BICYCLE LOCOMOTIVE No. 2.
This locomotive was constructed at the same time as the No. 1, but not as an improvement over that machine, its principal advantage being that it was so much lighter in weight. This was particularly advantageous from the fact that we were using an old unused road not designed for heavy traffic, and with this light machine we could attain a much greater speed with safety on this limited road than with the No. 1. It weighs only nine tons, but by filling the tanks with coal and water the traction may be greatly increased. The driver is 6 feet in diameter. It has two cylinders 10 × 12 inches. The boiler is an upright containing 102 tubes.
This machine is capable of a speed of 90 miles an hour drawing three Bicycle cars, with seating accommodation for 300 people, and an average consumption of coal of one-half a ton per day.[2]