[Illustration:  200 H. P. RAILWAY MOTOR]

The photographs on this page illustrate motors of each make.  The weight of one make complete, with gear and gear case, is 5,900 pounds.  The corresponding weight of the other is 5,750 pounds.  The ratio of gear reduction used with one motor is 19 to 63, and with the other motor 20 to 63.

[Illustration:  200 H. P. RAILWAY MOTOR]

[Sidenote:  Motor Control]

By the system of motor control adopted for the trains, the power delivered to the various motors throughout the train is simultaneously controlled and regulated by the motorman at the head of the train.  This is accomplished by means of a system of electric circuits comprising essentially a small drum controller and an organization of actuating circuits conveying small currents which energize electric magnets placed beneath the cars, and so open and close the main power circuits which supply energy to the motors.  A controller is mounted upon the platform at each end of each motor car, and the entire train may be operated from any one of the points, the motorman normally taking his post on the front platform of the first car.  The switches which open and close the power circuits through motors and rheostats are called contactors, each comprising a magnetic blow-out switch and the electro magnet which controls the movements of the switch.  By these contactors the usual series-multiple control of direct-current motors is effected.  The primary or control circuits regulate the movement, not only of the contactors but also of the reverser, by means of which the direction of the current supplied to motors may be reversed at the will of the motorman.

[Illustration:  APPARATUS UNDER COMPOSITE MOTOR CAR]

The photograph on this page shows the complete control wiring and motor equipment of a motor car as seen beneath the car.  In wiring the cars unusual precautions have been adopted to guard against risk of fire.  As elsewhere described in this publication, the floors of all motor cars are protected by sheet steel and a material composed of asbestos and silicate of soda, which possesses great heat-resisting properties.  In addition to this, all of the important power wires beneath the car are placed in conduits of fireproof material, of which asbestos is the principal constituent.  Furthermore, the vulcanized rubber insulation of the wires themselves is covered with a special braid of asbestos, and in order to diminish the amount of combustible insulating material, the highest grade of vulcanized rubber has been used, and the thickness of the insulation correspondingly reduced.  It is confidently believed that the woodwork of the car body proper cannot be seriously endangered by an accident to the electric apparatus beneath the car.  Insulation is necessarily combustible, and in burning evolves much smoke; occasional accidents to the apparatus, notwithstanding every possible precaution, will sometimes happen; and in the subway the flash even of an absolutely insignificant fuse may be clearly visible and cause alarm.  The public traveling in the subway should remember that even very severe short-circuits and extremely bright flashes beneath the car involve absolutely no danger to passengers who remain inside the car.