Taking the Helm

Controller

The Motorman used the controller to regulate the power flow to the electric motor located in the wheel carriages. By depressing the control arm and rotating it clockwise, the power flow would increase. The control arm was spring-loaded as a safety measure. If the motorman released the arm, the power to the motors would be cut off and the brakes engaged to halt the car as quickly as possible.

Air Pressure Gauge

This device measured the air pressure available for applying the pneumatic brakes. Pressure was provided by a pump located underneath the car which turned on and off automatically. Monitoring the air pressure was an important duty of the motorman.

Pneumatic Brake Valve

The valve controlled the pneumatic brake system for both the car and the multi-car trainset.

Electric Heater

Electric heaters were the only source of warmth for those in the small drive compartment. Coke-burning stoves kept travelers in passenger cars comfortable during cold weather. Coke was a byproduct of coal that burned hotter and cleaner which provided smokeless, cinderless travel.

Manual Hand Brake

In the even of an air pressure failure, the car could be brought to a stop using this manual hand brake.

Sand Box

When weather conditions warranted, the motorman could open the sand box under the car and release the sand on the track to provide additional traction through fiction.

Horn Cord

The motorman used the horn to provide important communications about the car's movement to other members of the crew. For example, two blasts meant that the car was about to move.