The Daily Dispatch: March 12, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Street cars to be Propelled by steam in St. Louis.

‘ "Mr. Charles Rigdon, an ingenious machinist, is engaged at the Western Foundry in making an apparatus to propel the street cars through the agency of steam. The furnace and boiler are to be upright, and placed in front of the car, occupying a space of about three feet square. The cylinders are to be three inches in diameter, with a nine-inch stroke, and will give a power equal to that of about three horses. Coke will be used for fuel, and the steam will be condensed in a large water chamber under the seats of the car, to prevent too free escape of the steam into the streets. In the opinion of those who have investigated the machinery, there is every prospect of its being entirely successful for the purpose designed."

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