The Rubicon is actually little more than a 7- by 16-foot steam tank,
built somewhat like a thermos bottle and fitted out with cylinders and
wheels. The tank was two-thirds filled with water and then charged from
a 150-pound steam line from the NCR powerhouse.
As the Rubicon’s engineer opened the throttle, steam passed through a
reducing valve and reached the cylinders at a pressure of 60 pounds per
square inch. The steam charge, at 370 degrees Fahrenheit, gradually
converted some of the water to steam, which—although at a lesser
pressure—gave the locomotive additional operating time.
The Rubicon ran three or four hours on a charge, depending on the work
load. Normally, three or four daily trips were made to the roundhouse,
to exchange a “tired” engine for a freshly-charged one. Eighteen-inch
pistons enabled the engines to move their own weight with just a few
pounds of steam, so it was rare for them to be stranded away from their
“lifeline.” The storage tank was insulated with a two-inch layer of
magnesia. It was fitted with baffles to keep the water from sloshing
back and forth as the engine started and stopped.
Tanks under the locomotive running boards furnished compressed air for
ringing the bell and sanding the rails in icy weather. They were
replenished at the roundhouse, for the engine carried no air compressor.
Neither was there a generator; the storage battery which operated the
headlights had to be recharged regularly.
The engine’s brakes were strictly mechanical—operated by tightening the
large wheel in the cab.
[Illustration: The Carillon Park museum piece was photographed at
the NCR South Main Street factory crossing in the early years of the
century. Seen at left is the NCR office building, prior to
construction of the NCR auditorium.]
[Illustration: These pictures record an event which was perhaps
inevitable with the increase of auto-age traffic; in 1915, a touring
car slid into the Rubicon’s side at the Main Street crossing.]
[Illustration: The engine clearly won the contest!]
[Illustration: It suffered only a slightly bent driving rod, visible
in the photograph.]
[Illustration: The Lima Locomotive Works, manufacturer of the
Rubicon, featured a photograph of the busily puffing engine in one
of its catalogues. The page is reproduced here.]
FIRST STEAM-STORAGE LOCOMOTIVE USED IN AMERICA BUILT BY LIMA
LOCOMOTIVE AND MACHINE CO., LIMA, OHIO, WORKING AT PLANT OF NATIONAL
CASH REGISTER CO., DAYTON, OHIO.