standard specifications even
for a short-time delivery, while for cars involving the extensive use
of metal the question was impossible of immediate solution. Again,
there were a number of very serious mechanical difficulties to be
studied and overcome in the construction of such a car, such as
avoidance of excessive weight, a serious element in a rapid transit
service, insulation from the extremes of heat and cold, and the
prevention of undue noise in operation. It was decided, therefore, to
bend all energies to the production of a wooden car with sufficient
metal for strength and protection from accident, i. e., a stronger,
safer, and better constructed car than had heretofore been put in use
on any electric railway in the world. These properties it is believed
are embodied in the car which has just been described.

[Illustration: METAL UNDERFRAME OF PROTECTED WOODEN CAR]

The plan of an all-metal car, however, was not abandoned, and
although none was in use in passenger service anywhere, steps were
immediately taken to design a car of this type and conduct the
necessary tests to determine whether it would be suitable for railway
service. None of the car-building companies was willing to undertake
the work, but the courteous cooeperation of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company was secured in placing its manufacturing facilities at Altoona
at the disposal of the Interborough Rapid Transit Railway Company.
Plans were prepared for an all-metal car, and after about fourteen
months of work a sample type was completed in December, 1903, which
was in every way creditable as a first attempt.

The sample car naturally embodied some faults which only experience
could correct, the principal one being that the car was not only too
heavy for use on the elevated lines of the company, but attained an
undesirable weight for subway operation. From this original design,
however, a second design involving very original features has been
worked out, and a contract has been given by the Interborough Company
for 200 all-steel cars, which are now being constructed. While the
expense of producing this new type of car has obviously been great,
this consideration has not influenced the management of the company in
developing an equipment which promised the maximum of operating
safety.

[Illustration: END VIEW OF MOTOR TRUCK]

[Sidenote: _The General
Arrangements_]

The general dimensions of the all-steel car differ only slightly from
th