Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 89.djvu/603

 Popular Srinirr Montlil//

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���gun and machine-guns. A dry-hopper lavatory and a water tank ha\ing a capacity of three hundred gallons, from which the water is brought to the interior of the car by a hand-pump, has been installed for the convenience of the soldiers. The car weighs approxi- mately ninety-seven thousand pounds, which is less than the weight of the armored railroad cars now in use aliroad.

There are twenty port-holes for ma- chine-guns or small arms, eight being located on each side of the car and two in each end. These openings are covered with sliding doors of heavy steel when they are not in use. In addition there arc also six peep-holes, two in each side of the car, and one in each end. Access to the car is obtained through four door openings, one on each side and one on each end. A ladder in the middle compartment enables the gunners to

��reach the gun-well at the top of the car.

The armored railroad car first came into use in South Africa. There it met ' with conspicuous success, opening the eyes of European nations to its ser\-ice- ability in war. During the recent periods of internal strife in Mexico Villa's troops con\-ertcd a freight car into a movable fort on wheels. It took part in a number of pitched battles and did excellent ser- vice in guarding the railroad's right-of- way and in transporting ammunition stores. Port-holes were cut in the sides and ends of the car and through these rifles and machine-guns were fired. The active part played by this car in a desul- tory war con\inced our arm\' officials of its military value. On the other hand, armored railroad cars were long ago introduced in Europe as the direct result of the splendid showing made by the first car in South Africa.

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