N&W "Locomotive" Lands Man in Klink

[NW Mailing List]

The Shorpy website has an image of the N&W motor vehicle (1920s?) built to simulate a small locomotive, which, I think, was used in parades. 

http://www.shorpy.com/node/19385#comments 

The Shorpy caption says, "Circa 1930. Vice President Curtis at Capitol with steam car. Which, as evidenced below, encountered a bit of trouble during its stop at Washington. National Photo Co. glass plate negative." 

The caption goes on to cite the May 17, 1930, edition of the Washington Post: "AUTO LOCOMOTIVE LEADS TO ARREST - MAN TO BE TRIED FOR USING CAR FOR ADVERTISING RAILROAD. Albert E. Lentz, of 501 Twelfth Street northwest, will be tried in Police Court next Thursday on charges of using a motor vehicle for advertising purposes and for driving a vehicle with view obstructed. The latter charge was placed against the man after traffic officials had inspected the vehicle, a locomotive on an automobile chassis, at the Traffic Bureau. The vehicle, which is used to advertise the Norfolk & Western Railway and the Grand Caverns of the Shnandoah Valley, was driven to the Police Court Building and was inspected by Judge Isaac R. Hitt before the case was continued. Lentz was arrested yesterday morning on Madison Place Northwest by Sergt. Milton D. Smith and Policeman J.R. LeFoe, both of the Traffic Bureau." 

The question, of course is, What ever became of the little locomotive-on-rubber tires? 

-- abram burnett 
"SW" Telegraph Office 

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