Popular Srinirr Montlil// 



38!) 



gun and machine-guns. A dry-hopper 

 lavatory and a water tank ha\ing a 

 capacity of three hundred gallons, from 

 which the water is brought to the 

 interior of the car by a hand-pump, 

 has been installed for the convenience of 

 the soldiers. The car weighs approxi- 

 mately ninety-seven thousand pounds, 

 which is less than the weight of the 

 armored railroad cars now in use 

 aliroad. 



There are twenty port-holes for ma- 

 chine-guns or small arms, eight being 

 located on each side of the car and two 

 in each end. These openings are covered 

 with sliding doors of heavy steel when 

 they are not in use. In addition there 

 arc also six peep-holes, two in each side 

 of the car, and one in each end. Access 

 to the car is obtained through four door 

 openings, one on each side and one on 

 each end. A ladder in the middle 

 compartment enables the gunners to 



reach the gun-well at the top of the 

 car. 



The armored railroad car first came 

 into use in South Africa. There it met 

 ' with conspicuous success, opening the 

 eyes of European nations to its ser\-ice- 

 ability in war. During the recent periods 

 of internal strife in Mexico Villa's troops 

 con\-ertcd a freight car into a movable 

 fort on wheels. It took part in a number 

 of pitched battles and did excellent ser- 

 vice in guarding the railroad's right-of- 

 way and in transporting ammunition 

 stores. Port-holes were cut in the sides 

 and ends of the car and through these 

 rifles and machine-guns were fired. The 

 active part played by this car in a desul- 

 tory war con\inced our arm\' officials of 

 its military value. On the other hand, 

 armored railroad cars were long ago 

 introduced in Europe as the direct 

 result of the splendid showing made by 

 the first car in South Africa. 



Maybe you have special needs. Write to the editor about anything within the 

 scope of the magazine. He will be glad to help you. 



