Evening Star Newspaper, July 26, 1925, Page 59

ILLUSTRATED FEATURES Part 5—8 Pages MAGAZINE SECTION he Sunday Sta " Rail Problems Stud BY GEORGE H. DACY. LTHOUGH his name does. not appear among the list of -eminent railroad- a certain resident is president, chief engineer, shop foreman, expert designer, inventor, mechanic and chief factotum of the most extraordinary steel rail system in the universe. In the basement of his home, on the highlands of Massachusetts avenue, ®everal blocks from its Wisconsin ave- Rue intersection, J. N. Swartzell oper- ates this remarkabls transportation project, which s neither passen- gers nor freight, but which tests out all the vicissitudes and hazards, the risks and riddles of the great common carrlers that bisect and crisscross our epacious American continent. The cherished hobby of a lad in his teens, who discarded all his other toys in favor of his train of cars, has been developed and perfected over a score of years, until today railroad officials and internationally famous engineers would be amazed at the results. The story of the inception and grad- 1 _perfection of this min! > “rail- ¥oad system is a tale of love's labor devoted unstintingly to an unusual diversion. 1t satisfies the craving of its originator for active participation in the bustling world, which has alw orite profession. It t for estonishing mect al and ide: Probably there is not another rail- roading enthusiast in the country Wwho has never engaged professionally in that work, who can compare with Mr. Swartzell in the wide variety of his technical and practical informa- tion on transportation problems It has not been with the intention of ever engaging in the railroading profession that Mr. Swartzell has de- voted so many months of his leisure to his unique amusement. The pleas ure which other men obtain from golf, hunting, fishing, mountain climbing and exploring, Mr rtzell gains in the seclusion of his basement work- shop. where he shapes and molds metal and wood into accurate fac fles of the transcontinental flyers which are the pride .and joy of our domestic transportation. ~The man who has no hobby to fiddle aw during the long Winter evening: the citizen who courts old ag the gruff grouchiness of the patriarch prematurely You would be surprised to see the marvelous hobbies which are ridden right close to the halls of Congress. A Cabinet member is an adept ama- teur carpenter and maintains a work- shop where he spends enjoyable hours at manual labor. A leading national attorney hamme: diversion from his perusal tone. A captain of industry whittles hickory wands into golf club shatts. PR ys been his s been the ou ideals F you can visualize what the great Baltimore and Ohio railroad sys tem would look lfke if it were con- densed as far 2 ble and concen- trated under a roof, you will have some idea of the scen sent- ed in a visit to the Swartzell basement. | There you will see every conceivable | device ‘and apparatus used on our modern all-steel trains, on our freights and on our steel-shod cars which speed perishable foodstuffs from the centers of production to the cities of consump- tion. Electricity is harnessed to in building these miniature marvels | of modern mechanics. Electricity also | furnishes the power which functions | the individual locomotives and the ef- ficient little trains It the brownies were but energetic sprites wWould delight in the | facilities for modern travel provided | by the “B. & O. junior system.” Even | our famous midgets would be willing | to admit that here, at least, are rail- | road ssorfes built more to their dimensions and liking than those pro- | vided under the dictates of the Inter- state Commerce Commission. The Swartzell rolling stock and rail net- work look like juvenile playthings, but they are quite different from the ordi- | nary toys in that they are mechanical- | ly accurate to the fraction of an inch or degree in design, detail and opera- tion simplicity. Mr. Swartzell not only realizes the delights of the inventor and the ama- teur mechanic from his curious hobby but he is able also to study the most complicated puzzles of lrdn.\l)ur(atlou.’ He can utilize his wonderful little | trains, which run by electrical power, | to stage accidents and railroading rid- | dles. He can study cause and effect | in the various research set-ups. You probably have heard about the automobiles and supplementary which are used in our munici- affic Court in showing how mo- toring accidents and traffic conges- tions occur. Mr. Swartzell uses his model trains in similar style. He can duplicate all the derailments, wrecks and defective railr | trophes of the railroad history of this country. Of course, if such tests are | ed, temporary and dummy cars and | locomotives are used. Mr. Bwa takes as much pride in his regu railroad equipment as any president 1l line naturally would. 1 never sanction the damage and destruction of the marvelous mod- els by using them as the ammunition to the Swartzell railroad factory, the workshop or place of production is the factor which first arouses your interest. Logically, you | want to know how this amateur wor man makes his marvelous models. You desire to see the mechanical fin- gers which he uses. You wish to in- spect his tools, which are run by pow- | er. And, rest assured, such inspection will not be in vain. You will learn in reduced terms exactly how the models are designed and drafted, how the castings are made, how the tiny pieces of wood and metal are turned on Lilli- putian lathes, and how the painstak- ing work is performed which ultimate- 1y matures into a diminutive Pullman coach exactly like the one in which you may journey from Washington to the seashore for your annual vacation. B B FTHERE is a special bench lathe | made expri for model making. is an inexpensive back-geared he, which can be used for either wood or metal turning. It is pro- vided with the complete equipment of the regulation engine lathe. It is driven by a countershaft operated by a one-fourth horse-power electric mo- tor. This motor is zlso used to run a set of emery wheels for sharpening chisels and ether woodworking tools. In addition there are several bench Vises, the general assortment of wood and metal working tools, a designer’s bench and a drafting board. When Mr. Swartzell completed his academic studies at the Friends' School he matriculated at the Uni- versity of Illinois, where he enrolled in the railroad engineering course. It 50 happens that the University of Illi- nois offers speclal courses in railroad engineering. In the research labora- tories regulation locomotives are set up, which are used in experimen work by the stude Unguestion- It W ASHINGTON, D. C, SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 26, FICTION AND HUMOR 1925. Margarel Swartzell plays with fathers speciad. Coih g - M i S 55 555 WL TS O T v -~ T Wk B B R e B T o st W B st s 5, The Amateur Express resources. It so happened, however, that an attractive business oppor- tunity developed before this young collegian won his degree. The result was that the student who coveted in- dustrial occupation of a research en- gineer was shunted into the world of commerce to fill a lucrative position before he won his sheepskin. From that day to this, however, he has ex- perienced the thrills and joys, the quests and conquests of his cherished vocation by tinkering with models in his non-union shop. First of all, Mr. Swartzell designs a locomotive, passenger coach, freight car or other piece of rolling stock be- fore he begins its manufacture. Seated before his drafting board, he sketches on paper the outline of the model. Then, using gauge and slide rule, measure and micrometer, he draws a picture of the model to exact dimen- sions. Subsequently, he uses this drawing_as his manufacturing path- finder. He makes the model to accord exactly with the scientific dimensions. In this work Mr. Swartzell's ac- curacy greatly surpasses that of the ordinary professional model maker or producer. The professional makes his product so that externally it looks ably, Mr. Swartzell's delight in re ke the article which it is to repre- roa{flng research was intensified bi‘“n even though it violate standard, His-accessibllliy-Lo. 8 Y ington amateur, on the other hand, makes everything exactly to scale and measure. His models are scientifically | and technically accurate. The body and boiler of the locomo- tive are made from an aluminum casting. This casting is made in a regulation form or core which was molded exclusively for that particu- lar purpose. It is, indeed, a compli- cated and technical assignment mere- ly to make one of these castings. Space limitations prevent the com- plete description of how this is ac- complished. Suffice to say that Mr. Swartzell uses aluminuni castings be- cause they are light in weight, while the metal is easy to work. One dis- advantage obtains because it is im- possible to solder aluminum. Brass is not satisfactory on account of its weight. An aluminum casting for a 17-inch locomotive costs ondy about §1. * k ok X R. SWARTZELL makes the wheels and trucks for his elec- trical locomotive of brass. Each set of trucks is pivoted on the locomotive in such a manner that they will hold to the curves even when the tiny en- gine attains a speed as high as 15 miles an hour. The drive wheels are fastened securely to a small commer- glal-qooter, yhich is adapted for pex- manent installation in the aluminum casting. Mr. Swartzell provides these toy motors with reversing switches. Each locomotive is desigred true to life and boasts every accessory to be found on one of the mammoth steel horses which pull our finest trafns. ‘The pilot of the locomotive model is composed of 14 pieces of brass, dove- tailed and interlocked together. This device alone is a work of amateur mechanical art and is bat an exem- plification of the superior construction employed in the design and assemb- ling of the excellent models. The four locomotives which Mr. Swartzell has designed and built are all steam type, driven by electricity for convenience. * The arrangement of the wheels is like that usually found on narrow- gauge rolling stock. Mr. Swartzell has adapted them, however, for use on standard-gauge track, such as is employed exclusively in this Baltimore and Ohio Junior system. This was done in order that the mill run of small commercial motors which could be purchased at small outlay might be used in the locomotives. The bal- ance of these tiny railroad engines is really remarkable and evidence of the skill of their maker. If you will take the average toy locomotive which you give it a strong push to carry it around an sbrupt curve, you will find that the engine, as a rule, will be de- railed. One of the Swartzell locomo- tives will ride the curve safely when subjected to such a test because it has pivoted trucks, which are adjusted to withstand exactly such exigencies. Altogether more than 450 feet of special _standard-gauge track have been laid on white pine ties and a sybstantial wooden base in_the con struction of the Swartzell “B & O. line. Allowing for switches, yard track and the like, this gives a total of 200 feet of double-tracked right of way. The track is made of brass, shaped to a nicety to conform accur- ately to standard specifications. Smalt nails are used to fasten this track to its wooden base. Switches with auto- matic and hand controls are provided. The frogs in all this track are made correctly, while the points are ex: pertly soldered. The complete railroad system is operated by an electrical generator functioned by 'a’ one-quarter-horse- power electric motor. This direct-cur- rent system is used because it oper- ates the cars, trains or locomotives with instantaneous speed, as soon as the proper switch is turned. Where alternating current is used as the tors are soon pitted ‘and damaged,|it is set in place on its reinforced while there occurs a loss of power and delayed motion in starting each time when the current is switched on. The Swartzell system is so wired that eastbound traffic, westbound trat- fic and yard switching can be consum- mated simultaneously. There are three electrical circuits. One centrols traf- fic in the easterly direction. Another governs rail movement toward the west. The third operates locomotives and trains which have to be switched within the company’s yards. Alto- gether, seven electrical switches in a central switch box govern the entire system. The arrangement is such that control of the different units, respec- tively, can be delegated to certain yard stations, One part of the system can be in full operation while another is idle or temporarily out of commission due to accident or special order from the executive office. A third rail is the actuating agency which links the trains with their power source. One outstanding feature is a beauti- ful model of & truss bridge made en- tirely of metal and so designed as to carry the maximum load on the upper span. Curiously enough, when you lift this little bridge, which is only 4 feet in length, it seems so light as to be fllmfl!gfl’lsfles Notwithstanding, when abutments it will easily support the weight of a 200-pound man. * kx X X HE railroad station is a typical example of thousands of depots to be found here and there and every- where throughout America’s country districts. The equipment includes a clever model of a complete coaling station, an interesting roundhouse, re- pair shops, water tower, pumping station, several block towers and water cranes, a large gas tank, re- frigeration station, a complete yard with rolling stock ready to be as- sembled and all the other earnfarks which identify one of our important rallroad yards. There are even special switches for the veteran cars and engines, as well as a hospital for the trains which bave been wrecked. The oldest locomotive is one year past the voting age. It is one of the early types of toy locomotives which you wind up with a key. It is the first locomotive which J. N. Swartzell ever owned. It was 22 years ago when Santa Claus left it at his home. It is one relic which you could not buy today, no matter how much vou offered its owner. He treasures it as one of the stepping stones instru- mental in the realization of his ma." > L | design | ested |is essible | wood is soft, ¢ ied on Miniature System in D. C. Home | For More Than Twenty Years Washington Business Man Has Devoted All His Spare Hours to His Curious Hobby—His Locomotives and Other Rolling Stock and Railroading Equipment Rank Among the Finest Models Ever Made—Each Piece of Apparatus Is Unique Transportation Unit, Is Designed to Scale and Is Mechanically a Masterpiece. est hobby—to build and own plete rafiroad. Just to {llustrate the accuracy of which Mr. Swartzell has stressed in the upbuilding of his as- tonishing models, the case of a typical North and South Pullman dining car is flluminative. You may be inter to know that on the newest types of these steel cars there is no vestibule, while the bedding for the crew s carried in special invisible lockers at the rear of the coach. The are carrfed in a large ne: the floor, which by a concealed door in the floor of the Mr. Swartzell has incorporated these features in the lat est dining cars which he has made. Thus far he has used toy couplers modified to serve his purposes He now is working on miniature dupli cates of the ation coupling de. vices used ard trains. His Pullman coaches are provided with observation platforms, hinged g: and hinged sections in the floor, which can be elevated so that the passengers can descend from the observation latform to the station steps when the train stops Up to the present time this Wash ington enthusiast has been content to build his passenger coaches, box cars and flat cars of white pine. This to work and does ly. His future additional coaches tal, to correspond stest’ styles and rafl a com- r unc not crack or split re plan is to make and cars of closely to the roading fashions The last locomotive which Mr. Swartzell made is of such complicated construction that it is even equipped with outside valve metion or gear His express refrigerator cars are in sulated in the same manner as the commercial vehicles. The iceloading compartments situated in the |ends of the car roof runway along the top. are with * x x % THL‘ first locomotive of tha Swart- zell series is patterned after the | Baltimore and Ohio Atlantic type, |being equipped with the two-four-two sequence of wheels. It uses a Van derbilt model tender, which shows a cylindrical water tank and a coal pocket mounted forward. It is pro vided with the ladder system found on the large tenders, while its raised fire deck, which is on the same level as the locomotive foor, is a feature The tender is éven equipped with steam heating pipes and is adapted for either freight or passenger serv ice. The coupling which links the engine and tender is a perfect du plicate of those used on the profes sional outfits. It took Mr. Swartzell about six weeks to.build this particu- lar locomotive. Altogether, he put in approximately 45 hours of work on the model. The windows in the en- gine gab are pieces of celluloid set up_careful copper frames. One of Mr. Swartzell's friends is a Government scientist, who Is also interested in railroad construction and operation se two men get to- gether once a week and experiment | for several hours with the Swartzell |7B. & O. line.” It is a game more {fascinating than bridge whist, cross- word puzzles, loungergom fanning about golf, or other amusements § which Americans customarily indulge. The two amateur ‘“rajlroaders” op- erate the entire railroad system and work out the proper handling of the trains during emergency, which—un less carefully diagnosed—might re {sult in accidents and wrecks. It is indeed as fascinating as the war game which our National Army lead- ers play during the annual maneuvers of their various battalions, regiments and companies. Mr. Swartzell has named his rail road system after the Baltimore and Ohio system simply because he has always admired that particular com- mon carrier. He has no connection whatsoever, either in an official or private capacity, with this system. In fact, the Baltimore and Ohio authori- ties, if they read this article, will probably be astonished to learn that such remarkable models of their loco- motives, trains, shops, stations and equipment exist. And this curlous di version from which Mr. Swartzell derives the maximum of entertain ment and on is nothing more than an hobby. Money could never chase the pleasure which Washington's amateur rallroad executive has realized from this un usual hobby. Th New Giant Nebulae. "TWO clouds of white hot gases, each so vast as to be capable of en- gulfing not only the solar system but v of the nearest stars as well, have been found in two different parts of the sky, according to an announce ment by Prof. Harlow Shapley, di- rector of the Harvard College Ob- servatory. One is in the great Magel. lanic cloud, a luminous area in the constellation of Dorado resembling a detached piece of the Milky Way. Tt can only be seen from points in the Southern Hemisphere, but the other one is in the constellation of the Triangle, which is visible in our north- ern skies in the early Winter. It is connected with a spiral nebula, Messier 33 Both of these~objects have been known for some time, although they are only visible with a large tele- scope nd are known only by their numbers in the new general catalogue of such objects. The southern one is referred to by astronomers as N. G. C. 70.and the other as N. G. C. 604, Determinations of their actual size, however, have only been made pos sible by recent determinations of their distances. Prof. Shapley himself measured the distance of the large Magellanic cloud by a study of photographic plates made at the Harvard branch observa- tory at Arequipa, Peru, and found it so fat away that its light would take a hundred thousand years to reach us. The distance of the spiral, Mes- sier 33, was determined last year by Dr. Edwin Hubble of the Mount Wil- son Observatory and it turned out to be about a miilion light years. Using these measures of the dis- tances, It is found that the diameter N. 'G. C. 2070 is 264 light years and for N. G. C. 604 it is 198 light years, so that if the earth were placed at the center of either one not only would the sun and plants of the solar ystem be included in it, but so also would a large number of stars we see in the sky. Both objects are much greater than the more familiar gaseous nebulae, such as the one in Orion, which is only about three light years in diameter, less than the di tance from us to the nearest known star. No Infidel Hands. NFIDEL hands had little to do with the building of the Mohammedan mosque in Paris, for workmen were | brought - there from Mohammedan ‘countries, but the Moorish wood cary ers sent from Morocco to finish the woodwork used electric tools in their work. P Oy ST | | |