From the Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph
of Norwich, NY - Saturday, June 9, 1877

Railroad Officials "Inspecting"

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   A new small platform car lately constructed in the Midland Machine Shops in Middletown for the use of the bridge department and road master, arrived in Norwich Wednesday evening, after a successful first trip. It is a magnified copy of the common hand car with an upright boiler and engine of small proportions affixed to propel it instead of hand power. The wheels are some larger than those ordinarily used, and of cast rims and hubs, held by a steel tire.

   A seat capable of accommodating four persons runs across the front end affording a view for inspection of track, bridges, and roadway. It is reported to be a mechanical success and was built of entirely new material, with castings from patterns and drawings all prepared at the expense of the company.

   They started from Middletown ahead of the mail train and continued so to Walton, after following the train in, making a good run, Master Mechanic Minshull, engineered the machine until entering Norwich station, Purchasing Agent Purdy, in kids and Goodyear raincoat, sensationally assuming the throttle performing the feat of shutting off steam; the ingenious steam brake attached to the car stopped it, General Manager John G. Stevens under that familiar linen hat, and inside a rubber coat, dismounted, the lesser lights following.

   Then Manager, Mechanic, General Road Master, and Purchasing Agent, in their rubber coats and hand bags, marched to the American Hotel. The trip was an interesting one, one hundred and forty eight and seven-tenths miles on an open car, and the roadway was found to be in excellent condition, the bridges and trestles also.

   At an early hour Thursday morning the party, minus the Superintendent of the Middle Division, and plus Superintendent Lanpher of the Northern Division, and bridges and buildings started to inspect the road to Oswego.