The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-09
THE RICHMOND STREET CARS.
An Inspection Of the Lines by a Committee
From tho City Council.
ENTERTAINED BY THE MANAGEMENT.
The Tracks We're Found In Good Condition
But IL Ia Said to be Impossible to En-
tirely Get Rid OF the Noise.

But IL Ia Said to be Impossible to En-
tireIy Get Rid OF tho Noise.
At the last meeting of the Committee on
Streets the complaints made by residents on
upper Main street against the noise Of the
electric cars were discussed at some length.
Tho matter was finally referred to a special
committee. Of which Captain Curtis was
made chairman.
The special committee met yesterday even
ing at 1890 o'clock to investigate the CON-
plants made as far az it could be done with
out the assistance of an expert electrician.
Captain w. II. Curtis and Captain j. Taylor
Stratton were present as members of the
special committee. while Alderman Il. -.
Crenshaw. Jr.. Councilman A. c. Houston
and Mr. John Lauer were in attendance 20
represent the interests of the residents on
Main street Alderman ". NJ. Turpin and
Colonel w. F.. Cutshaw. the city engineer,
were also present.
The Electric Railway Company was repre-
sented by President George ii. Fisher, Cap
tain Andrew Pizzlni. Jr.. acting secretary
and treasurer; Mr.. Charles Selden, general
Mr.. George +. Cragie. superintend-
ent. and Mr. Wyndbam Il. Meredith. attorney.
Seventh street, the party was taken IN charge
by President Fisher and Captain Pizzim and
shown through the various departments of
the establishment Mr. Fisher explained IN
detail the workings of the different apparatus.
SINCE CONSOLIDATION.
Since the consolidation of the plant in the
power house the expenses have been reduced
and the company IS enabled 70
furnish electric lights cheaper than IT Is done
in any other city. The plant OF the company
has from / SCOT 2. 900 horse power, about one
half of which is used for the running OF the
electric cars. while the rest il used for the
production of electric light The company is
running over 1000 incandescent lights IN this
citv, and about 400 arc lights.
The railway service Of the company consists
Of fifty cars equipped with electric motors,
twenty of which are in service on the city dl-
vision OF Main street line while about twenty-
i've are IN use on the Union division or Clay
street line. The company has also ten horse
ears running on Broad street, and from twelve
10 fourteen on the Marshall street and Man
chester lines. The motors of the different
ears are Oh the average nine months old while
none of them are longer in use than one
year and half The motors on the Union
division, which are the older ones. are of the
improved Sprague system, while those on the
,ity division are chiefly of the Westinghouse
system The latter system has double the
capacity of the Sprague system. Tor on each
ar with the Westinghouse system are two
motors OF fifteen horsepower each in size.
while the motors Of the Sprague system have
only motors of seven and half horse power
zach.
MAIN STREET LINZ.
There are few cars on the Main street line
which have not yet been provided with the
Westinghouse motors. but they are con-
family being re-eQuipped and within two or
hree weeks all the cars OF the city division
will have the new motors. The Westinghouse
motors Of each car are powerful enough TO pull
wo cars together up the bill. The company
las about forty miles OF tracks. OF winch
twenty-five are equipped with electricity.
The tracks have been partly laid with steel
ais and within q year the track in It's en-
ire length will be relaid with the new lip
all. which has been patented by the CON-
)any and approved by the city engineer. The
ip-rail has been adopted to facilitate the
rafic Of other vehicles in streets where the
airs are running.
The carshed of,the city division is on Main
nd Vine streets. where the cars Of that line
re kept in order. The sheds for toe Union
Iivision are situated on Twenty ninth and T
treets, where the more extensive repairs are
made. The stables for the Broad street and
Iarshall street lines are located on Adams
nd Leigh streets. The main Offices OF the
company are on south Seventh street while
ranch offices are at the different carsheds
nd stables. There is also branch Office IN
Jew York city.
Since the several transfer stations have been
established the passengers are enabled TO ride
OF one fare six or seven miles in four or five
i1erent directions.
The TRIP.
Shortly before II o'clock the party left the
,ower-hOuse and went 70 the corner OF
seventh and Main streets where they boarded
special car. No. 10 Of the city division. TO
make a tour Of inspection over the whole
ystem. The party first went over the Main
treet line TO Fulton. and returning from
here the first stop was made at the car-sheds
N Main and Vine streets. A number Of cars
we're found TO be laid up for repairs, and
resident Fisher explained the work under
rogress on each car One of the electric
ars for the Manchester line was Just about
nished TO be turned ont. The body of
he car IS painted dark green. with light
elbow base and red lettering.
As soon as the electric equipment for the
Manchester line is completed five electric
ars will be put into service and before the
nd Of the year II is expected that passengers
yill be enabled 20 ride for one fare from the
etersburg depot. on Twenty and Hull
treets in Manchester. over MayO's bridge,
nth one transfer on Main and Fourteenth
treets. through Ninth and Broad streets 10
be vicinity of the Exposition Grounds.
AT THE REsERyoIR.
From the car-shed the trip was continued TO
be Reservoir lake, where one Of Sutherland's
)usses was in waiting to take the party TO
landon PARK. There the inspecting MEM
ers of the Council and their guests were
groeably surprised by an elegant lunch
hitch Mr. William Snellings had prepared az
he request of Mr. Fisher.
After short rest the tourists returned 10
ner car 80 make "a flying trip to the end Of
he Union division When the corner of
fifth and Clay streets was reached the car
-as switched off into Fifth street. and the
ZIP was extended g. the terminus OF the track
n Baker street. When the car entered into
ackson Ward Police Commissioner Charles
[. Phillips hove in sight and was at once
lcked up and remained with the city fathers
ntil the end of the journey had been reached.
rwrNrY-NINTH AND STREETS.
On the arrival at the car-sheds on Twenty
NTH and streets the examiners were re-
eiyed by SIr. John w Wilbur. superintend-
nj Of the Union division. and shown through
be extensive repair shops. A large force of
'orkmen was kept busy III putting IN order
bout half dozen Clay-street cars. Others
zero finishing up another Manchester car.
everal Peckham trucks. which had been dis
arded on account Of the complication Of
leir machinery. wore being replaced by
-ucks made almost entirely in this
ty. Five Westinghouse motors, which
ad lust been received, were being unpacked
nd will he used TO complete the new enuin