Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1892 — Air-Plows for Locomotives. [ARTICLE]

Air-Plows for Locomotives.

A novel scheme has been proposed for increasing the speed of locomotives, particularly those of fast express trains. It is briefly this: to place in front of the engine an “airplow,” with the sharp edge forward, extending from a few inches above the track to the top of the smokestack. The ordinary resistance of the air to the locomotive is doubtless a very considerable impeding force, and this device, it is believed, will sc largely reduce It as to effect a material increase of speed. Possible, it might also serve in some measure as a shield for the train itself,, diverting the blast of wind from the car windows, or at least those nearest the locomotive. A gain in speed is a good thing, but exemption from drafts, dust, smoke and cinders would be even a better one.