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8 ' ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE.
their extremities, to engage with the upper or -lower arm of the rockishaft.
The eccentric-rods were raised . or lowered by a double treadle, so as to
connect with the upper or lower arm of the rocl<-shaft, according as ‘forward
or backward gear was desired. A peculiarity in the exhaust of the “‘Ironsides”
was that there was only a single straight pipe running across from one cylinder
to the other, with an opening in the upper side of the pipe, midway between
the cylinders, to which ,was attached'at right angles the perpendicular pipe into
the chimney. The cylinders, therefore, exhausted against each other; and it,was
found, aftergthe engine had been put in use, that this was a serious objection.
This defect was afterwards remedied by turning each exhaust-pipe upward into
the chimney, substantially as is now done. The steam-joints were made with
canvas and red-lead, as was the practice in English locomotives, and in conse-
quence much trouble was caused, from time to time,,by leaking. <
The price of the engine was to have been 54000, but some difficulty was
‘ found in procuring. a settlement. The Company claimed that the engine did
not perform according to contract; and objection was also made to some of the
defects alluded to. After these had been corrected as far as possible, however,
Mr. Baldwin finally succeeded in effecting a compromise settlement, and received
from the Company 53500 for the machine. . I
We are indebted for the sketch of‘ the “lronsides” from which the accom-
panying cut is produced, as well as for other valuable particulars in regard to
the engine, to Mr. H. R. Campbell, who was the Chief Engineer ofthe German-
town and Norristown, Railroad when the “Ironsides” was placed in service,
and who is thoroughly familiar with all the facts in regard to the engine. Much
of the success of the machine was due to his exertions, as, while the President
of the Company was inclined to reject it as defective, Mr. Campbell was earnest
in his efforts to correct its imperfections, and his influence contributed largely
to retain the engine on the road.
The results of the trial and the impression produced by it on the public mind
may be gathered from the following extracts from the newspapers of the day:
The Uizilm’ State’: Gazer]: of Nov. 24th, 1832, remarks:
"A most gratifying experiment was made yesterday afternoon on the Philadelphia, Ger-
mantown and Norristown Railroad. The beautiful locomotive engine and tender, built by
Mr. Baldwin, of this city, whose reputation as an ingenious machinist isiwell known, were
for the first time placed on the road. The engine traveled about six miles, working with
perfect accuracy and ease in all its parts, and with great velocity."
The Clzrmzicle of the same date noticed the trial more at length, as follows:
“It gives us pleasure to state that the locomotive engine built by our townsman, M. XV.
Baldwin, has proved highly successful. In the presence of several gentlemen of science
and information on such subjects, the engine was yesterday placed upon the road for the first
time. All her parts had been previously highly finished and fitted together in Mr. Baldwin's
factory. She was taken apart on Tuesday and removed to the Company's depot, and yester-
day morning she was completely together, ready for travel. After the regular passenger cars
had arrived from Germantown in the afternoon, the tracks being clear, preparation was made
for her starting. The placing fire in the furnace and raising steam occupied twenty minutes.
The engine (with her tender) moved from the depot in beautiful style, working with great