The morning call., 1893-06-04
GRAY'S NEW IDEA.
An Electric Road for the
San Joaquin.
POWER FROMWATERWHEELS
Electric Lines Will Work for 200
Miies-TurIock Dam and Mer-
Ced Falls to Be Utilized.

II. w. Gray, prominent mining man of
this State together with anumber of we'll
known business men of Stockton, is about
to advance proposition to the projectors
of the San Joaquin railroad which will
attract some attention in railroad and
commercial circles.
Mr.. Gray ct al. propose TO bride the
power of the falls of the new Turlock dam
now under construction in Stanlslaus
County. generate electricity and run the
proposed railroad by means Of that power.
M. Gray's scheme may seem impracti-
cable at first thought. but maturer con-
sideration of his proposition is food for
more than casual reflection.
In Germany to-day is operated over 700
miles of railroad by electricity. Enough
power is generated to send a train of
fourteen freight-cars and a motor over
level ground at the rate Of thirty-fve miles
an hour. The longest road in Germany is
about 100 miles long.
As Bakersfield is over 800 miles from
Stockton. the question has arisen, how is
it possible t. operate a road that distance
as wires would lose by induction most of
the electric fluid before the end IS reached.
The answer is that Merted Falls could
be made to run Pelton wheels, which in
turn could work electric generators.
Experiments by well-known electricians
have proved that electric roads can be
operated for over $50 miles, and II such is
the case, with the Turlock dam at one end
and MERGED Falls in the center, there is a
chance for the Stockton and Bakersfield
line being built and operated in opposition
10 the Southern Pacific for one-hftn the
cost of steam railway.
The Turlock dam is owned by the Tur-
lock and Nevada Irrigatlng districts. and
is being constructed by the Pacific Bridge
Company. The structure, when COM
pleted, will be los feet high. Its overflow
will have power enough TO run ten Peltnn
wheels, although one, or perhaps two,
would be sufficient to do the work of run
ming the generators for the valley line.
In an interview regarding his scheme
Mr.. Gray said yesterday that an electric
road could be operated successfully for
200 miles.
such road as the one l propose" said
he. would result in a saving OF thousands
of dollars to its promoters.
"Where will the saving be ?" was asked.
IN the first place in the location" was
the reply. "Then fuel is a big item in
operating railroad in California.
"There are no grades 10 overcome in the
San Joaquin Valley so there would be no
doubt about sufficiency of power.
My idea is to construct power-hOuse
at the Turlock dam. and one also at MERGED
Falls. Trains of dozen or more freight
cars could be hauled with ease to MERGED.
and from their to Bakersfield. Though
there might be few grades of no impor-
lance TO overcome, we could get power
enough to put through fewer number of
cars. and send out ira rs more frequently"
where do you think the money for the
San joaquin road will be raised ?"
sit can mostly be procured in Stockton.
The people of Stockton are very enterpris-
ing and are anxiously looking TO the time
when they will have railroad of their
own in opposition TO the Southern Pacific"
will the Turloek irrigating districts
part with their dam ?"
mo, but they would gladly sell the
right to use its wator-power.
''The Pacific Bridge Company are
anxious to see the electric road built, and
think it would be better line than
steam railway"
"Do the Stockton people favor your
plans?"
es. they think them very feasible and
are to a certain extent interested fnan-
cially in the project. Stockton, as is the
whole Pacific Coast. is up in arms against
the Southern Pacific Railroad. 1t is only
a matter of time when the railroad octapus
must CO. People of the valley don't care
what sort of a railroad they have, whether
it be steam or electricity, as long as they
have competition"
SIS the Traffic Association interested in
your proposed electric road?"
we nave SAID not ming to them about it.
Money for a valley railroad should be
raised in San Francisco, but l fear it can
not be-"
The Thomson II ouston Electric Com
pany could not give any Tnugh estimate of
the cost of an electric line over 500 miles
in length. but they say that if water
power could be used an electric line could
be operated for third the cost of MAIN
tanning and operating railroad.
Pelton water-wheels would save thou
sands of dollars in the matter of expense
for fuel.
This and other electric companies stated
that an electric road will work like charm
for 100 miles at the very lowest calcula-
tion.
An electric motor IN a 100 mile line
would pull 20 cars on level.
In regard to the Turlock dam the Pacific
Bridge Company seem 10 think that it could
be purchased outright provided the Tur-
lock and Modesto irrigation districts could
arrange to be supplied with water from it,
The dam will cost $3.50 600 when finished,
being built of solid masonry and cement
The cost of erecting Peton wheels and
poweT-houses would be less than the cost
OF building locomotive repair shops.
Mr.. Gray seemed to be of the opinion
Valley. outside of Stockton, are too puor
fund for a railroad, but" he added,
Stock ton and San Francisco should raise
the capital with ease. can vouch for
Stockton doing her share OF subscribing,
but San Francisco fear, will be little