46 FLECTRIC-CAR EQUIPMENT 22 Fig. 66 indicates the piping connections for a foot-operated air valve to a gong. A double air valve may be used in a Fre. 06 imilar manner for the operation of the sand box in combination with either a whistle or a signal gong. TRACK SCRAPERS 62. The purpose of track scrapers is to keep the rails clear ‘of snow until the sweeper cars get into action. Fig. 67 shows ‘one type of scraper the plates of which are spring-supported and may be forved into contact with the rails by a hand= operated shaft or by compressed air. Scrapers may be in- stalled at one or both ends of the cars, to ‘conform to service re= quirements cau nopies 63. Car bodies are made in a very large variety of styles to conform to operat- ing conditions, Body lengths range from 18 to 80 feet, and the construction may be open for summer service, closed for winter service, or semiconvertible for use throughout the year. ‘The modern tendency in body design is to reduce the weight of the cars per seated passenger, install ball or roller bear- ings, shape the ends of the bodies to lessen air resistance, and otherwise to reduce to a minimum the energy required for operation. ELECTRIC-CAR EQUIPMENT a Car bodies over 20 or 22 feet in length are usu- ally equipped with double trucks because a long rigid single truck will not readily pass around curves at street corners If a somiconvertible car body is used, the trucks and motor equipment re- main with the body during winter and summer, thus obviating the necessity of keeping both closed and open car bodies and the labor of changing the ‘motor equipment from one to the other twice a year. Tn some semiconvertibie bodies, the window sashes during the summer ean be rushed into pockets in the car roof, In other cases, the window panes are re- moved and stored; heavy ‘curtains then protect the passengers from rain. In cither case plenty of ven= tilation is secured 64. Car bodies of the type shown in Fig. 68, have platforms arranged for the entrance and exit ‘of passengers by different routes and are used where the prepayment system of fare collection is employed.