The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-10
ELECTRIC RAILROADS.

The science of electrical engineering
is still in it's infancy, but its marvellous
accomplishments have already SO dulled
our sense of surprise that We stand pre-
pared to accept further and more
wonderful developments almost as
matter of course. That these de-
velopments will come, q very casual
survey will convince the least observant
or the most prejudiced. The results al
ready attained are in striking dispropor
ton to the number of students of the
art, but the future is certain to see that
number largely increased now that the
scientific schools have taken up the sub
ject both in theory and practice, and are
prepared to give the learner the advan-
tage of their study and their experience.
And students will flock to these schools
to take advantage of the opportunity,
not only because the subject is in itself
most interesting and attractive, but be-
cause for many years to come the train
ed electrical expert will be able to COM
mand practically his own price for his
services. With the increase of the num-
Der of experts in the profession and the
steady advance that profounder knowl-
ledge and the inevitable advance of pro-
gress will insure, the limits to the de-
velopment Of the application Of electric
ity seem to be defined only by time.
We are familiar with the electric mo-
tor on our streets, and every one who
has found occasion to use it will be glad
to hear that the project of the substitu-
ton Of electricity for steam on
our railroads is already matter of dis
cussion with electrical engineers In
ease of motion and the highly desirable
virtue of cleanliness, the electric car
leaves the steam motor out of sight. But
there are other and technical advantages
to be gained by the proposed substitu-
ton. 1t is pretty generally known, of
course, that there is some very peculiar
action between the tread of the wheels
on electric street cars and track, where
by they can ascend higher grade than
any other kind Of motive power, except,
perhaps, the cable system. A grade of
over 30 per cent. has been laid down as
practicable, but this is probably an ex-
aggeration.
The question of speed is another i'm
portant factor. The piston speed of an
engine with "a inches stroke and 60
inches diameter of driving wheels, trav-
cling at GO miles an hour, is about 1,4OO
feet per minute. But an increase in the
diameter of the driving wheels with the
object of decreasing the number Of
strokes makes the engine correspond
lngly weaker, and as an newt
able result the man who at.
tempts to design an engine te
haul the constantly increasing
weight of trains at high rate of speed
finds himself between the horns of q
dilemma. If electric motors, again
were in use, it would not be necessary
to have track tanks and water stane
pipes distributed closely along the linz
and saving of both time and mono,
would follow. Another very importan
gain would be the concentration Of tn,
power at one point for given length o
line into few cylinders, instead Q
working it, as at present, in humble
of isolated engines, where the insulation
is poor and the chances for condensa
ton the best. These are but G fe,
amongst many advantages that wi
occur to every reader who has given an
study to the subject.
But while the desirability Of tn
change will scarcely be gainsaid, ''do'
tors" disagree very materially as to il
feasibility. The main objection, as v
might expect. is the increase OF expend
ture over that required by the preser
system. One authority estimates tt
annual cost Of each thirty mile sectio
at the sum of s3l ,A5 for capacity equ
to one locomotive. For cost Of static
he puts down $1,000, which includes
dynamo of 300 horse power at $1,000
for operating expenses s8,355; for CO
1882; for the necessary amount
copper wire sl62, JOG; for poles for owe
head circuit-the cheapest possible sy
tem-s15, $50; cost of erecting lin
1850; and interest and depreciation
stock would make up the sum tot
already quoted With the estimate ]
fault can be found, for the quotation
seem all based on inside figures. 1t
self-evident that with any such outi
as this a matter of necessity, an electr
railroad would have to be classed as
chimera, and we might as we'll sigh I
the moon. But there would seem to
possibilities in the future that ought
be taken into account and that mig
reduce this impossible outlay to woi
able basis. In the first place, pater
that are now bringing in rich harvs
to their possessors will in course
time expire, and the improvements tn
inaugurated will be at the service OF
Thsn there are the enormous profits
the manufacturers, which could be
duced to fair return on capital invest
by tho opposition Of such railroad CO
panies ~ determined to do their o.
manufacturing. In a country like q
that b tesming with water power q
unutilized, the saving on the cost
peu4netiou might b estimated q n
1ines q dollarA Many othse reducti<
might - auetsd - possible but III