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The history of the first locomotives in America. From original ...

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103<br />

HISTORY OF THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVES IN AMERICA.<br />

carriage, just f<strong>in</strong>ished by Mr. Imlay, and <strong>in</strong>tended to be immedi-<br />

ately placed on <strong>the</strong> road.<br />

" <strong>The</strong> arrangement for <strong>the</strong> accommodation <strong>of</strong> passengers is, <strong>in</strong><br />

some respects, different from any o<strong>the</strong>r which has yet been adopted.<br />

<strong>The</strong> body <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> carriage will conta<strong>in</strong> twelve persons, and <strong>the</strong> outside<br />

seats at ei<strong>the</strong>r end will receive six, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> driver. On<br />

<strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> carriage is placed a double s<strong>of</strong>a, runn<strong>in</strong>g lengthwise,<br />

which will accommodate twelve more. A wire nett<strong>in</strong>g rises from<br />

two sides <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> carriage, to a height which renders <strong>the</strong><br />

top seats perfectly secure. <strong>The</strong> whole is surmounted by an iron<br />

framework, with an awn<strong>in</strong>g to protect from <strong>the</strong> sun or ra<strong>in</strong>. <strong>The</strong><br />

carriage, which is named <strong>the</strong> ' Ohio,' is very handsomely f<strong>in</strong>ished,<br />

and will, we have no doubt, be a great favorite with <strong>the</strong> visitors<br />

to <strong>the</strong> railroad, <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> whom, we are gratified to learn,<br />

cont<strong>in</strong>ues to be as great as it was at <strong>the</strong> open<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> road."<br />

CHAPTER XIX.<br />

EOSS "WIlfAlTS's IMPEOVEMENTS.<br />

<strong>The</strong> road to Ellicott's Mills was opened on May 24,<br />

1830; Tra<strong>in</strong>s <strong>of</strong> cars like <strong>the</strong> above were called bri-<br />

gades, and were cont<strong>in</strong>ued until Ross "W<strong>in</strong>ans, Esq.,<br />

placed upon tlie track tke <strong>first</strong> eight-wbeel car ever<br />

built for passengers, and called it by <strong>the</strong> appropriate<br />

name <strong>of</strong> " Columbus." This car was a large box, such<br />

as any carpenter could make; it h^d a truck <strong>of</strong><br />

four wheels at ei<strong>the</strong>r end, <strong>the</strong> same as <strong>the</strong> eight-<br />

wheel cars <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present time ; it also had seats on<br />

<strong>the</strong> top, like <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r cars hi<strong>the</strong>rto used, which were<br />

reached by a ladder at one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> corners. This was<br />

followed by several odd-shaped contrivances ; one was<br />

nicknamed <strong>the</strong> *' Sea-serpent," ano<strong>the</strong>r was known by <strong>the</strong><br />

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