New Safety Heating Apparatus for 0ars.mAmong the most fruitful causes of loss of life in railroad accidents, is the burning of cars, which take fire from the stoves or other heating apparatus contained in them. In order to reduce the risk as far as possible, Messrs. Wood, Scull & Snyder, of this city, have devised a plan for heating the cars with steam generated in a boiler provided especially for that purpose, and placed in the baggage or smoking car.
The distribution of the steam-pipes in the cars, for heating, is well arranged, and contains some points of novelty. The essential feature of the apparatus, however, lies in the flexible joints in the pipes connecting the cars. These are so constructed as to yield freely to all the movements of the cars and yet remain tight, and are entirely serf-acting in coupling and uncoupling.
This arrangement has been in constant use on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad for more than three months, giving great satisfaction. It is clear, that there being but one fire in the whole train (outside of the locomotive), and that at a considerable distance from the passengers, the risk of life from fire, in case of a " smash-up," is greatly reduced. It is also claimed that this arrangement is more economical in fuel, labor and maintenance than the best device for heating each car separately.
Drawings of the flexible self-coupling device, which renders this system practical, are promised us soon for publication. *