Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-16
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.
How Mr.. Edison Proposes TO Run Trains
The New Project.

The New York Morning Journal says: Mr..
Thomas A. Edison was last evening visited
by a representative OF the Journal. He
stated that the organic alton had been formed
10 operate the inventions already in exist
ence for the use OF electricity az railway
motive power. He had, he said, been oper-
atiug railroad at Menlo Park by electricity
for the past two years and a half and had
found it to work admirably. Ooly in one
instance he'd he lost power equal to two and
half horses, and that WIS duriog very
heavy and unexpected rain-storm. "The
manner in which it is proposed to operate
the railroads by electricity" he con-
tinued, "is by means of = central rail
laid between the existing tracks, Tor which
old and WORKOUT rails might be used, this
rail acting as one pole and the other two
forming the other. The power was trans
united by central engine with the use of
powerful dynamos, and the electricity would
thus be supplied to the rail, from which it
would be taken up by the motor attached 10
train where there are two or more cars
attached. In the case of street surface the
motor could be carried underneath and
would not necessitate an extra carriage Tor
motor engine. The whole operation would
be similar to the endless rope by which cars
are drawn along in Chicago and other cities.
The method of stopping would be by means
of "clutch," whereby the electric power
would be thrown out of gear go far as it
operates on the drawing or driving power of
the motor, while at the same time the cur
rent would sill be kept operating on the
motor 80 that start can be effected at a
minimum loss of power similar to the shift
ing of belt on sh sfting"
The advantages he claims for The new inyen-
lion is that it will affect saving OF thirty
three per cent in the amount paid for coal un-
der the present system of steam locomotives.
There would also be slight saving in the
m after of the wear and tear of the two diff
ferent STYLES OF engines or motors.
''For the present." continued Mr.. Edison,
81 do not think that electricity will be gen.
orally adopted for heavy freight trains, or
for passenger trains over long distances, but
for street cars, elevated railroads and other
short lines, il will be found invaluable. Al
ready we have applications for the use of
our patents on Couey Island, Long Branch,
Paramount Park, Saratoga, and from the
elevated railroads in New York. In the
case of the latter il will effect not only
saving of thirty-three per cent. in the matter
of Goals, but it will also do away with one
man on each engine, and, further, save
the annoy ance now experienced in the matter
of the shower of sparks and the smell of
sulphur which is so objectionable"
When asked If he thought steam as
motive power would be eventually super
seeded by electricity, Mr.. Edison said that
he had no doubt such would be the case, but
not for some years TO come. Steam, he said,
is now and will be essential TO the generation
of electricity, bat he believed that means
sooner or later will be found 10 obtain cleo
TRICKY from the earth Tithout The use any
machinery whatever.