We received a very adequate idea of the wonderful achievements—evincing the genius of the age in which we live—in railway conveyance, by the out-of-door exhibit of the N.Y. Central & Hudson R.R. Co., at the southern extremity of the annex. Here, the contrast between past and present was most sharply drawn: The first train, ever used for traffic in this country, and running between Schenectady and Albany, N.Y.—the opening of this road was celebrated on the 24th of September, 1831—with its simple De Witt Clinton engine, was beside a locomotive of gigantic proportions, the fastest in the world. This stupendous piece of machinery constituted a portion of the Vanderbilt enterprise.
In the German Section, two locomotives and seven kinds of Eisenbahnwagen, enabled us to decide upon the relative advantages of this foreign system and the American method of railway transportation. Great Britain contributed a complete train and locomotive, also a model of one of the original Stephenson locomotives—the "Rocket." The Railway Division of France comprised exceedingly interesting French locomotives, a car, and many models. In the Canadian exhibit, a complete transcontinental train compelled admiration. Its cars built of solid mahogany, and lighted by electricity, were constructed and equipped by the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company. Other foreign nations made their contributions to the railway division by models or illustrations of different kinds; prominently Austria, Belgium, Mexico, New South Wales, Sweden, and Norway.
The means of water transportation were so diversified that their multiplicity can distinctly be conceived by those only who have viewed them in persona.
There were represented: the birch-bark canoe from Alaska—a Norwegian steamship in miniature—the bimba or log canoe from Africa—the Bohemian propeller—corials from British Guiana—the Japanese pleasure-boat "Hoomaru"—the padda boats from Ceylon—the caique from Turkey; furthermore, models of Spanish war-vessels—Malay boats—Swedish ice-yachts—folding boats from Canada—Chinese war-ships—barges from Burmah—French torpedo boats—characteristic coast-vessels from India— Venetian gondolas—Dutch coast sailing boats—the caravels, Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta, exhibited by Genoa—Siamese boats—life-boats—naptha launches—and a great number of small craft shown by the United States.
Of historic interest was the old bateau employed by early French traders from Quebec, and a model of a boat showing the style used on the Sea of Galilee in the time of Christ.
The artistic reproductions in miniature of various American, British, and German ocean steamers played an attractive part in this division. Among the models of war vessels was the representation of the ill-fated English cruiser "Victoria," considered to be the finest marine model ever constructed.
A section from the center of a modern Transatlantic liner reached to the top line of the gallery; exhibiting a complete interior of an American steamer.
The development of wheeled vehicles from the first inceptive idea of the wheel to the present appreciable methods of its use was comprehensively illustrated. The exhibits were so arranged that the different stages of improvement could be readily noticed.
The methods employed for conveyance on common roads were shown by hand-barrows—carts—trucks—drays—farm wagons—sprinkling carts—freight wagons—breaks, barges, wagonettes for pleasure parties—omnibuses—cabs— hansoms—pleasure carriages, coaches for four or six horses, Victorias, broughams, dog-carts, buggies, phaetons, etc.; besides sleighs—snow shoes—steam and electric carriages—ambulances for the sick and injured—hearses; furthermore, bicycles and tricycles—rolling chairs for invalids—baby carriages; in short, vehicles of every possible description.
Almost all the nations on the globe had made their contributions to the department of vehicle transportation. This rare collection embraced the palanquin of Africa—the mandarin chair of China—the bullock cart of Ceylon—the sedan chair of Colombia (South America)—the Sicilian cart of Palermo—the heavy lumbering cart of India—the queer traveling kroba of Turkey—the volante of Spain—the tarantass of Russia—the hackney coach of France—and the dog-cart of England.