THE EFFECT OF WIND PRESSURE.
In a recent scientific review, the writer, while admitting advantages of the Bicycle System under ordinary circumstances, says: “A high gale of wind striking against the sides of these two-story cars would press them against the upper rail with a force which nothing could resist.” Our present location should have given this matter the severest possible test, located as we are in close proximity to the ocean and exposed on a trestle over a mile long and high above the level of the sea, where terrific gales of wind have swept against the sides of the cars. We have as yet had no difficulty in keeping the track, and have failed to perceive any signs of being carried away by this “irresistible force” of which he speaks; on the other hand, we would not answer for the safety of a standard gauge train passing over the same place under like conditions, as instances of locomotives being blown off the tracks and down embankments are authenticated. Certainly a gale of wind which is strong enough to endanger Bicycle cars or structures, would carry the heaviest standard gauge train off the track.
In the Bicycle System the trains as they pass along serve in a measure to ballast the structure at the very point where the wind pressure blowing against the sides of the cars would have any effect.