The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-21

ing at given curve to throw on the rails Q
train moving at the rate OF $50 miles an
hour would be about six and half times
greater than that which q train reeists
when running at 60 miles an hour. 1t fol-
lows that the existing lines must be both
Strengthened and strengthened IL the pres
emit average speed OF express trains Is to be
materially heightened.
Such Strengthening and strengthening Is
practically out of the question, owing to
| the tremendous outlay that would be Inc
volved Is there. then. any way OF obtain
ing new rates OF speed on the old routes
It appears from the London Spectator that
| this question Is answered In the affirmative
| by Mr.. BEHR In a pamphlet advocating the
| application to existing routes OF the LAR
| TIaUE slngle-rail system. In this system.
which. as wa shall see, is no visionary
scheme, but Is actually In operation, the
cars sit astrlde OF single rail- raised to
height of four feet from the ground on steel
trestles on either side OF which, but two
and half feet lower. Is a small guide rail.
The wheels on which the car runs move
on the central rail. while the guido rails
on each side are grpped by smaller
wheels. To speak accurately, this is not
single rail but treble rail line. although
the hard work Is done on the raised CEN
trail rail. But whatever name should be
given to the system, 1t Is said that the sta
bilty and security Of the cars, mounted on
the central rail saddle with tho guide rails
serving as stirrups. are such that 1t Is al
most Impossible for a train to be thrown on
the track. When curves are encountered
the rail is canted transversely to degree
calculated to neutralize the centrifugal
force and II the canting does not suffice.
the surplus Of centrifugal tendency Is coun-
teracted by the joint action of tho central
rail and inner guide rail.
AS we have said. the LARTIGuE system is
no untried proposal. 1t is now working for
short distance, nine and u half miles.
from Listowel to Ballybunion In Ireland;
and an application OF the principle on a
much larger scale has been made In the De-
partment OF the Loire In France on line
which is to go into operation during tho
present month. Tho calculations relating
to the stability and safety OF cars run on
this plan go to show that. even for speed
OF $50 miles an hour, the demand made
upon the LARTIGUE lines would not ex-
coed, in the case OF the most unfav-
orable curve. the normal limit OF strain
at present allowed II these claims can
DO sustained. 1t seems clear that the
LARTIGUE system may render unpre-
cedented rates OF speed not only
mechanically but financially possible; for
the single rail can be laid side by side with
the present lines on the existing routes.
The financial difficulty which would be pre-
scented. were new routes required. being
eliminated. the provision OF an adequate
motor power need not stop the way. Mr..
BEHR estimates that the cost Of construct
ing on either side Of the existing main line
from London to Brighton. q LARTIGUE line
to be worked by electricity at speed Of
from 100 to $50 miles an hour. including
rolling stock. generating plant. and all ap-
pliances for working trains. would not e1-
coed five million dollars. 1t is contended
that by this means. Brighton. which is
fifty miles away. could DO reached In
twenty or twenty-five minutes ride from
the British metropolis.