104 Miracles Ahead! 



for locomotives using either mechanical or electrical drives 

 and transmissions. 



He revealed early in 1943 that a steam-turbine-driven loco- 

 motive geared directly to the driving wheels actually has been 

 designed and is about to be made and tested. Mr. Smith said 

 it would supply higher power at faster speeds "exceeding 

 that available from reciprocating steam locomotives." A 6,500 

 horsepower unit could, according to engineers, save more 

 than 25 per cent in the pounds of steam per horsepower hour 

 over the present-day locomotive. This points to more eco- 

 nomical operation and, since it eliminates certain locomotive 

 parts that move back and forth, it would cut wear and tear 

 on moving parts, permit the use of smaller wheels, and allow 

 more space for boilers. 



A recent invention, on which a United States patent was 

 granted in 1943, promises to greatly improve the present-day 

 steam locomotive. It would give the railroad engine the ad- 

 vantage of more efficient, higher steam pressure now available 

 to ships and power plants. The new design uses a horizontal 

 water-tube boiler instead of the old-style fire-tube boiler. 

 The tubes are suspended around a large fire space within the 

 engine shell, and insulate it against the high firebox tempera- 

 ture a method similar to that employed on ships. Steam is 

 stored in eight or more vertical steam drums arranged in two 

 rows down the sides of the locomotive. 



"The Battle of Transportation 7 ' 



When World War II began, Nazi experts were confident 

 that the "obsolete" United States railroads would be unable 

 to meet the demands of total war. They pointed out correctly 

 that our railroads had less equipment than in 1916. But the 

 railroads, with fewer locomotives, coaches, and freight cars, 

 have broken every passenger- and freight-carrying record. 



