PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 53 
passenger service, so that time might be saved in climbing 
the numerous banks. Fifty of these engines—known as 
the ‘‘P’’ class—were obtained on the first order in 1891, 
and found so suitable for the work that subsequent orders 
were given. They are of the six-wheel coupled type, with 
a four-wheel bogie at the leading end, embodying the 
general features of English practice in detail and general 
construction. The cylinders are placed outside the frames, 
with the steam chests and ports between them, fitted with 
balanced slide valves operated by Allen’s straight link 
motion and controlled by screw reversing gear. The boilers 
are of the Belpaire type, constructed of steel plates, with 
fire-boxes and tubes of copper. Both engine and tender 
are thoroughly equipped with Westinghouse automatic 
brake and screw hand-brake gear, and every provision has 
been made for large and efficient wearing surfaces. They 
are provided with the most modern means and appliances 
for the purpose of lubricating all moving parts and the wear- 
ing surfaces are protected, where possible, from dust. 
Steam sanding gear is applied to the engines and ordinary 
hand sand gear to the tenders. 
For similar reasons, it was found desirable to design 
engines suitable for effectually meeting the goods traffic. 
A very powerful class was first put into service in May 
1896, known as the “‘T’”’ class, and there are now 85 of 
them in traffic. In design they embody the general features 
of English and American practice, known as the eight- 
wheel coupled or “consolidation” type, with a single axle 
Bissel truck at the leading end. The cylinders are placed 
outside the frames, with the steam chests and ports between 
them, fitted with balanced, tripp-ported, slide valves, 
operated by Allen’s straight link motion, and controlled 
by screw reversing gear. Thirty-five of the engines are 
equipped with cylindrical piston valves for the purpose of 
