Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/116

86 iron rings on the surface. The object of this arrangement is that when all the boards are dropped into place the pit is completely closed, and by means of the rings any one or more covers can be raised as required, in order to open the pit for an observation from below.

The chief object to be attained by building several separate motor-houses in the place of one large one is that wall space is gained, which is a matter of no small importance when it is remembered how many spares are required in connection with motor-carriages. The walls of the motor-house under description are furnished in the following manner. Near the doors on either side are ranges of small shelves upon which are placed the most necessary tools and other small items which are almost invariably required when a carriage is to go out. The remainder of the wall is furnished with larger shelves to carry testing apparatus, pumps, a variety of tools, and such spare parts as are not carried in the vehicle, as well as oil, &c. There are also brackets of metal or wood, in the shape of the arc of a circle, upon which are hung spare covers and air tubes. There also exists a small chest of drawers, each drawer being divided, such as those used by watchmakers to contain small parts in an orderly manner.

This house is prolonged beyond the space necessary to stand the carriages, to the extent of about six feet.

This space is occupied by a work-bench, vice, and hand-drilling machine, and upon the end wall are racks for all the tools necessary for making small repairs, and a complete set of duplicate keys, so that when the adjustments are made it will not be necessary to turn out the contents of the car. There is likewise apparatus suitable for soldering and brazing by gas or by benzine lamps, the gas being used when there is no danger, while in the other case the benzine lamp is employed outside the motor-house so as to be in the open air.

In the corner, by the side of the bench, is an iron circular staircase which leads down to a small basement, lighted by a glass in the motor-house floor, where large spares are kept, and