Ocean Pier Railway
| Ocean Pier Railway | |||||||||||||||||
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 Ocean Pier Railway with four cars
on the Ocean Pier in Atlantic City | |||||||||||||||||
| Route length: | 0.580 km | ||||||||||||||||
| Gauge : | 2 feet 9 inches = 838 mm | ||||||||||||||||
| Minimum radius : | 4.5 m | ||||||||||||||||
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The Ocean Pier Railway was an electric narrow-gauge railway that ran the entire length of Ocean Pier in Atlantic City , New Jersey, about 180 meters into the sea.
history
The Ocean Pier in Atlantic City was extended by 150 m in 1896/97. At the same time it was widened and the railroad, a fishing platform and several pavilions were built. The railroad track gauge was unusually 838 mm (2 feet 9 inches ). The diameter of the bank turning loop was only 30 feet (9 m), which required a very tight arc. The turning loop at the sea end was larger, allowing for an arc of 60 feet (18 m) in diameter. The power station was on the bank of the pier. The builders Young and McShea operated the railway after its completion. The pleasant journey and the beautiful view of the city made the railway popular with summer guests.
Special features of rail vehicles
In order to avoid excessive friction and wear on the wheels , split axles were patented by Samuel L. Denney in 1854, which allowed the wheels to rotate at different speeds. The coupling consisted of three metal parts, which were riveted together after the brass plates had been attached. The part of the coupling shown in section has been shrunk into this half of the axle. The collar at the very end of the conical part of the axle has also been shrunk. A long conical bearing with adjustable brass was provided as shown. The joints of the coupling were sealed so that they could be filled with oil. On this axis, the sharp curves were hardly noticeable.
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Street Railway Review, Volume 7, 1897, p. 554.
- ^ John H. White: The American Railroad Passenger Car, Part 2. JHU Press, 1985. p. 524.
- ^ Samuel L. Denney: Divided car-axle. US patent US633183A.
Coordinates: 56 ° 49 '3.58 " N , 60 ° 38' 33.94" O