The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-15
Nv ryDERenouxD FLYER.
Over a Mile a Minute Through the b""
Railroad Tunnel.

Railroad Iuuu~ts
whiting under the heart OF bai'i"ore
mt the rate OF sixty-one miles an ho"r
was the novel experience Of party Oh
men on electric locomotive No, !, OF vi"
Baltimore and Ohio railroad company yes
tcrday.
This. record was made in the iocono-
tive's first test of high speed t"fousn
the tunnel The electric giant carrie"
on the trip DIR. Louis Duncan. consuming
electrical engineer Of the Baltimore an"
Ohio; Messrs. w. ID. Young, superntend-
ent OF the Baltimore and ONO aom-
pany's electric power-house; l.. IA. tark-
er. supervising electrical engineer OF tho
General Electric Company. and r. n.
Shepard, Mr. Parker's assistant Mr.
+. w. Murray, an old and trusted en-
gnecr OF the Baltimore and ohio. STOOD
at the controller.
Approaching the south portal Of the
tunnel a speed of only twenty miles an
hour was developed owing 10 the curves
and switches at that place The start
was made with an easy forward glide OF
the locomotive. Entering the tuhnet
the cngincman twirled the wheel around
fixing the controller on speedier notches.
Under the impetus thus given the loco
"
palace car, owing TO the absence OF vi
hrating parts. II few past the double
row of electric lights which illuminated
the tunnel. at a speed that seemed 10
blend their glimmer into trails of light
stretching 10 the north opening OF the
tunnel. SO smooth and steady was the
motion that the rapid rate did not appear
unusual. All on board kept firm grips
on their hats. as the cool air Of the tun-
mel whistled through the cab.
Engineer Shepard stood a, the speed
recording appai a,us. watching the move
ments OF the instrument. Nearing the
northern portal of the tunnel the power
was shut on and the speed was reduced.
The announcement was then made that an
actual speed Of 81 miles an hour had beea
attained. smile of intense satisfaction
overspread the countenancts OF the cleo
real experts az this result and Or. Dun
can expressed himself as greatly pleased
with the test.
Much interest was manifested In the
performance OF the flexible trolley, during
the trial. This feature OF The electric
locomotive has attracted general attention
and many queries have been made as TO
its adaptabillty for even ordinary service,
not 10 speak of fast speed triaIs. The
trolley mechanism was closely watched
luIliE the UP ana at the Np''l iHtih-
tanned II took the Irregularities OF the
overhead structure with apparent perfec-
ton there being not the slightest hitch
or jar i'm its operation. The trolley
shoe gllded with remarkable precision
through the electric condGlt at one mo-
ment bringing out the full extension or
the flexible shaft. then dipping down TO
within a few feet OF the locomotive. run
ming on one side and then on the other.
and not "A single spark or sputter was to
be observed
When the locomotivel was first used
with heavy service trouble was encounter
ed owing 10 the heating of the trolley
shoe. This was due 10 the fact that the
overhead conductor had been I'm position
for sometime. and not having been used
an accumulation Of scale had developed.
impairing the contact Of the trolley shoe.
No further trouble has been found since
this scale was removed. and a recur-
renee Of the difficulty Is not expected.
The burst Of speed resulting IN the
development OF rate Of 81 miles an
hour was made on the heavy grade OF
the tunnel. and the engineers said II was
equivalent TO 70 miles an hour on "A
level track. The performance OF the
locomotive was such that they would
not hesitate 10 run II AZ that or even a
greater speed If they had n sufficient
stretch OF track for the purpose. Loco
motive No. vas not designed for fast
time. and the result Of It's latest test Is
looked upon as an indication OF what
may be expected from an electric loco
motive specially designed sfor such a pur-
pose.
Since August 9Th. locomotive No. l. has
been hauling the entire freight service
OF the Baltimore and ohio through the
tunnel. and IL has been daily ready for
operation every hour of the twcnty-four
The average speed maintained IN hauling
heavy freights has been fifteen miles an
hour. Two more OF the locomotives are
now I'm progress Of erection az Schen-
ectady. y. Y. where the works OF the
General Electric Company are situated.
and In a few weeks both Of these will
be brought 10 Baltimore for service.
The original plans for the overhead
structure in the tunnel aud for the loco
motives have been adhered to. and En-
gineer Parker stated that no departure
from them is contemplated.
large number OF railroad officials
and electrical engineers from other cities
have been inspecting the new service
I'm the tunnel. and IL is now generally
REGARDED as a practical success. Ar
rancements are being made for a yisit
TO Baltimore Of a delegation from -.
Louis. including the officers Of the ter
minai association Of That city. thu
object of the trip is TO study the opera
tions Of the tunnel equipment here with
a view of installing such plant in ~.
Louis for hauling trains through the long
tunnel entering that city.-Baltimore
sun.