Berlin Motor Show : First Notice.
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From our Berlin Correspondent.
Writim.r, before the opening of the Berlin International Automobile Exhibition, which is to be given its formal "send off" in the presence of the German Emperor,on the date of publication of number 86 of "THE CommEncin MOTOR," it is impossible to present an adequate report of the utility class of exhibits. Amongst the most prominent novelties already accessible to camera and note-book is a
RAILLESS STEAM TRAIN
from the Freibahn Gesellschaft, of Seegefeld, near Sp...idau, whose system aims at great flexibility combined with a minimum of road and axle friction. The flexibility is obtained by linking two-wheeled freight vehicles, or trailers,in pairs, through the medium of a short longitudinal coupling, and allowing the front trailer of each pair to pivot freely at the coupling. Thus, the train can take bends with a minimum centre line radius of 20 feet. The hind trailer is rigidly coupled, but only in virtue of its position, the trailers being interchangeable, By means of a de
taehable steering contrivance of the shaft, worm, and toothed quadrant type, fitted to every pair of trailers, the train can be manoeuvred backwards. The trailer wheels, which are made of cast steel with tires of lightly-ribbed, rolled steel, and running on ball bearings, are unusually large; in fact, they possess a diameter of more than 5 feet. In attaching wheels of this size, the makers' declared purpose is the reduction of road friction. A couple of fourcylinder engines, fed by steam generated in a particularly light tubular boiler of special construction, drive each of the locomotive's front wheels
through gear and Gall's chains. Firing is on the hydroleum system, oil—any combustible oil will do—being sprayed, with a jet of steam, into a cone-like casting within the boiler, where combustion takes place without deposit or smoke. independent steam pumps, also workable by hand, feed the boiler The tender's water tank holds 2,000 litres, and its oil tank 65o litres. As in the case of the trailers, the tender is provided with sitting accommodation for attendants, and with a brake. Tender and tractor are not detachable. Power can also be transmitted to the tender axle if necessary. Worm gear has been adopted for steering purposes, the worm of the steering shaft in the tractor operating on the longitudinal connection between the tractor and the tender, the self-locking of the thread on the worm shaft maintaining the
curvature. With a view to travellizig over exceptionally difficult ground, the tractor is fitted with drum and cable.
Messrs. Gebruder Stoewer, of Stettin, include in their exhibit a lorry with a 28-32h.p. motor to carry a normal load of four tons; a motoreab, with a four-cylinder engine of aih.p.; a light delivery van; and an omnibus for 24 passengers. It is interesting to note that the omnibus in question represents the type of vehicle now on order. to the number of 200, for service in London. Its motor is a four-cylinder one, developing some 32h.p. The Siiddeu I sche A utom obilFabrik, of Gag-genau, exhibits
A MONSTER OMNIBUS, with accommodation for 44 persons : Berlin's largest type of omnibus will not carry more than 37! In order to economise space, the tirm has placed the driver's seat directly over the engine, and this practice is also followed in its new lorry. The inspection of Lib' mechanism presents little difficulty; all parts can be got at by simply raising the floor. As to the improved motor, of which a drawing is sent for reproduction, inlet and outlet valves are arranged on the cylinders in a line, so that every useless space or valve chamber is abandoned. Further, a single camshaft works all the valves. This shaft is driven from the crankshaft by a vertical shaft, through two pairs of bevel wheels, all spur wheels having been eliminated, and the motor works with very little noise. Both in the permanent hall and under canvas, the Neue Autornobil Gesellschaft exhibits utility vehicles. On its attractively decorated stand are : (i) a motorcab; and (2), most significant of the progress that is being made by this class of automobile in Berlin, the first of a series of 20 light delivery vans ordered for the drapery and general stores known as the " Kauflvius des Westens." Messrs. Shoolhred's enterprise finds its counterpart here. The coachwork of this van presents a very elegant appearance. In the adjoining grounds, the company shows an omnibus of peculiar interest ; it is the type of vehicle supplied to the Berlin electric tramcar company, familiarly termed "die Grosse." The " Grosse " has not come to the end of its tether, in point of concessions for extending its network of rails, and is supplementing the rail system by motorbus lines. These motorbuses have not yet been put in service, but a total of about soo vehicles, either of the make illustrated or some other, will eventually be working in conjunction with its tramcars. Each of the N.A.G. motorbuses is equipped with a fourcylinder motor of 24-26h.p., and the back wheels are furnished with solid rubber tires of the twin pattern. Two photographs of the model accompany this first report. (See page :66.-ED.) Another noteworthy N.A.G. exhibit, which will be illustrated later, consists of a 5-ton lorry specially built for the transport of coal. The four-cylinder engine develops some and can
propel the load named at a top speed of nearly to miles an hour. The bottom -of the carrying body slopes down towards the tail-end in order to facilitate unloading, and there is also a tipping contrivance, worked by a crank in front of the driving wheels, for rapid discharge, whilst, by pulling round a vertical lever, a big tail-board can be let down. This lorry, which incorporates the latest ideas in Germany on this subject, is intended for the Berlin electric works,
Preparations at the exhibition this year, as was the case in 1905, are very backward, and I should recommend any members of the British motor industry, or other visitors from England, to ab
stain from coming over here until it has been open for at least four days. There are rumours of " surprise " eEhibits, but details are not yet available. The exhibit of the Daimier-Motoren Gesellschaft will merit close attention, and one of its latest 2Sh.p. omnibus chassis, as described in our issue of October iSth, will be included.