| From the Texas State Gazette (Austin, Tex.) |
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| January 3, 1854 |
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| We have been shown a private letter from
Houston noticing the arrival at Harrisburg, of the new and elegant
locomotive Texas, constructed upon a new principle, to be used on the
Harrisburg railroad. There have been several descriptions of this engine
published heretofore, its weight being only 13 1/2 tons, and it
performing the service of a 24-ton locomotive, constructed after the old
model. The Galveston News says -- "We did not then understand the
principle, but it seems clear enough after examining the mode of
gearing. The piston acts upon an intermediate lever by which the power
is doubled, and from this lever the connection is made with the driving
wheels. The tender and locomotive are united by a powerful wrought iron
frame. The water tanks underlie the floor of the car, which gives great
stability and ease of motion, and the whole is supported upon four large
driving wheels, thus reducing the friction to its minimum, and
simplifying the construction and repairs of the machinery." |
| {The locomotive had a pair of
drivers forward and another pair under the cab; all were connected to
the central gearing by long driving rods} |
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