TIUNSACTIONS OF SECTION O. 



865 



which is independent of the other. They may also discharge their loads at as 

 many places, and these discharging places may be altered at any moment as 

 required. 



The trains always run in the same direction, as the lines are continuous curved 

 loops, and they may succeed each other as closely as may he necessary to 

 accommodate the traffic. The system is elastic, and is capable of indehnite 

 extension and of the application of extended automatic appliances. Much com- 

 plexity of work may be done by a moderate application of power. 



It is submitted that the system (which is patent) is competent to produce great 

 convenience and economy in the carriage of packages. 



U.vplanation of the Model. 



The model exhibited represents a new system of carriage, which has been 

 inAented so as to convey packages in the most economical manner. It has been 

 constructed to show how the system works. No men, boys, or horses are required 

 in the loading, running, or discharging of the trains. 



The apparatus exhibited may have six loading and any convenient number of 

 discharging places ; but by additional automatic means the system may be in- 

 definitely extended, so that packages may be carried between any desired number 

 of points without failure or confusion. 



The loading places may, in general, be fixed and not movable, as in the model, 

 the arrangement represented being that intended for the discharge of cargoes and 

 to suit the hatchways of vessels. 



2. On Electric Locomotives. By Alexander Siemens. 



The communication describes the tests made in active work of two electric 

 locomotives supplied by Messrs. Siemens Brothers & Co. to the City and South 

 London Railway. Each locomotive carries two electric motors, together capable 

 of giving 100-brake horse-power; the armatures are wound directly on the axles, so 

 as to do away with all gearing, a plan suggested by the late Sir Wm. Siemens. 



The tests were made by simultaneous readings of speed, amperes and volts on 

 the locomotives, and of amperes and volts on the station dynamos; the results are 

 plotted on a series of curves, the mean values of which are summarised iu the 

 accompanying table : — 



1892. 



3k 



