498 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



of the roadway is paved with Belgian blocks. The sets are squared throughout, 

 accurately gauged and laid in straight and properly bonded courses, and evenly 

 bedded in concrete. The joints of the sets are filled with cement. These blocks 

 resting on a firm foundation, there is no possibility of the settling of the road- 

 way. 



The cost of building a tramway of this kind is small in comparison with its 

 great durability and the great blessing it would be to the public. If this tram- 

 way is introduced in America, and in Washington particularly, it will be a com- 

 plete success and give entire satisfaction to the public. — Correspondent National 

 Republican. 



THE PROBLEM OF RAPID TRANSIT SOLVED (?) 



Mr. John R. Abbe, an engineer of St. Louis, has proposed a scheme for 

 rapid transit, which for ingenuity and magnitude exceeds any yet offered to the 

 public. It is the result of two and one-half years' labor commenced while in 

 Manchester, England, and finally concluded in St. Louis. 



The first condition requisite for this great railway, according to Mr. Abbe is 

 that the road-bed have no curves of less than 3,000 feet, and no grades of more 

 than twenty-seven feet to the mile. This would in the construction of the road 

 necessitate the removal of mountains and the filling up of valleys, but these are 

 some of the obstacles that the capital required is expected to overcome. The 

 reason for making the curves so gradual and the grades so slight is, as may be 

 easily conceived, on account of the tremendous rate of speed at which this ideal 

 express train will travel. It is also necessitated in part by the width of the track, 

 which will be, when constructed, nine feet between the outer rails. 



These rails will, when laid, be of ordinary pattern, though heavier than the 

 ordinary rail, or with a face of about four and a half inches. Midway between 

 the outer rails, will rest another of the same weight, but different in pattern, 

 being angled on both sides from the top. The reason for having this rail angled 

 is that on either side of it may run friction rollers connected with the car, 

 which will thus be guarded against the likelihood of a leap into space when it is 

 progressing at the rate of three miles a minute between the two great metropoli- 

 tan cities of the United States. All three of these rails will be seven inches high, 

 with a base of seven and one-half inches resting on ties of metal. The entire 

 road-bed, when laid out, will be fenced in from communication with the world 

 and all cities, towns, streets, country-roads, and cattle will have to keep out of 

 the path lest they should delay the progress of the ideal express. 



The road-bed having been laid out, the ties and rails placed in position, and 

 a glass roof placed over the whole. Mr. Abbe presented a plan of the engine and 

 cars which are expected to overcome the forces of nature, or, rather, utilize her 

 power in overcoming the obstacles which she has placed in the way of rapid 

 travel. The care which takes but a passive part in the performance, is iron- 



