THE DYNOGRAPH.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 155, 18 June 1879, Page 3

THE DYNOGRAPH.

A new and very novel instrument, called the dynograph, is hoav being fitted up at the Ibpencer street railway station, Melbourne. The instrument has been specially made for the department in America, to tho order of Mr Higinbotham, late chief engineer. It Avas invented by Mr Dudley, and only one other instrument has been made, Avhich Avas exhibited at tho Philadelphia Exhibition. In scientific society cu England the invention has been keenly discussed, and has generally met Avith approval. The chief object of the instrument is to measure the tractive power of engines running at different speeds Avith different loads on different grades and curves ; also, to determine the true values of elevation of outside rail on curves at knoAvn speeds ; the cone on the tread of wheels ; the cost of making a stop ; the merits or demerits of eight-Avhccl and four Avheel cars aylicu compared Avith each other ; a slip of the engine ; the resistance on emwes compared with the resistance on gradients ; the power to start a train and to keep it in motion at different speeds ; the line of cconomy to folloAvin speed of freight trains ; the comparatiAm merits of inside and outside connected engines : the comparative merits of bogie and other classes of engines ; the merits of Avide, standard, and narroAV gauge railways ; the fuel burnt and Avatcr used on different divisions of a railway with engines of different classes ; the value of properly counter-balancing the reciprocating parts of a locomotive ; in measuring irregularities of different divisions of a railway to show Avhich diAnsion Avas kept in the best order ; to slioav the distance run by a record of the revolutions of the Avhoels ; to slioav the merits of expansion of st"am in cylinders at Amrying speeds ; to show the efficiency of engines at different periods of their Ha'cs. Many other points connected Avith railway economy are claimed for the invention, and Mr Dudley proposes to make attachments to Ids instrument—one of ■which is to be used in testing bridges. An instrument of a similar description to Mr Dudley’s has been slioavu recently at Paris, but it is more costly, mure elaborate, and more complicated, and therefore inferior to the merits of the one under notice. The erection of tho instrument is almost complete, a van having been specially set apart for it. The chief motive power whereby the machine is worked is electricity. The instrument is about three feet high and t T wo feet square, and if it is capable of making all the records enumerated, it may bo looked upon as one of the most Avondorful iirventions of this age. A practical test of its powers is to be made in about a month’s time, and will be looked forward to Avith great interest.