Figure 45. — The Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad's 

 Vinton, built by Xiles in November 1855. Shown here at 

 Loveland, Ohio, in 1872. {Photo courtesy Ohio State Historical 

 Society.) 



frame between the driving wheels, is driven by an arm forged onto 

 the left side of the coixipensating lever. Several interesting features 

 are illustrated by the "T" boiler, which has what appears to be a 

 side fire door: the use of India-rubber blocks for springs and the 

 suggestion of a winch or possibly a hose reel on the back of the boiler. 

 It is a curious and tiny machine, undoubtedly intended for in- 

 dustrial service. The significance of this improbable locomotive 

 is to show that Sellers and Whetstone did in fact consider the plate 

 frame. If used by them to any extent it constituted a distinct 

 departure from regular American practices. 



Whetstone's attraction to full-size layouts was carried over into 

 the shop itself, where a mammoth T square was used to determine 

 center lines and otherwise ensure accurate and precise assembly of 

 the locomotives. Although little else is known of Whetstone's 

 other reforms in design and shop practices at Niles, he did obtain 

 two patents for improvements in locomotive engines. One of these 

 (27850, April 10, i860) concerned itself with a 2-wheel guiding 

 truck for 6-wheel engines. This device, although apparently not 

 adopted or put to a practical test, anticipated to a great extent the 

 Hudson-Bissell truck of 1864, which permitted the introduction ol 



106 



