The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-13
TROLLEY MOTOR INPERIMENTS.
Railroad Managers Watching the Pennsyl'
Xania'- Trial.

The subject of equipping steam roads
with electricity is causing considerable
discussion among the various railroad
GENERAL managers throughout the coun-
try, and although several small lines nave
k.en equipped for experimental purposes,
hpne of them have Ceen in operation,
tbng enough TO warrant detailed re-
mort The changing OF a railroad from
aeam to electricity appears TO be small
-. but when the various things that are
cessfry for the transformation as well
&&Iutting .he new motive power in opera
M. much time Is consumed at consider
le expense.
&<Nhcu the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
<4pany decided TO build trolley line froh
Burlington TO Mount Holly the officials
li.tle knew the trouble that was In store
for them. 1t was believed that the line
could be completed IN a very short time,
and bids were asked from the various
electrical companies Tor the necessary
articles and equipments that were 10 be
used. The various electrical companies
submitted their estimates, and when they
were accepted ii was found that in many
cases some of the estimates had been
based on patterns which had not yet
been perfected, and there was a constant
wait until II was far beyond the time set
for the operation OF the new road.
Even now the lire has been in opera
ton Tor some time. and as yet ali the
parts that 20 10 making successful
electrical road have not been supplied
There has been considerable trouble eX-
perienced in securing the right kind OF
air brake but IL tx believed that one has
now hccn perfected which will meet all
the difficulties This brake IS TO be work
I'D by electricity. and will be Of the air
brake pattern and II nothing prevents
viii be In operation some time next week.
This road is considered the best equip
ped electric road in the country, and the
other railroad companies that contem-
plate making changes are watching the
experiment with considerable attention.
When the road was constructed the Of
1cers OF the company looked further
ahead than the mere running Of cars by
electricity between Burlington and Mount
Holly. and the power house was located
AT the latter place. This house was so
constructed as 90 permit the placing OF
additional dynamos and other machinery
TO get more power when needed. When
the line was FIRST opened. which was sew
oral weeks ago. the company had only
one motor. Notwithstanding contracts had
been placed for two. which were TO have
been delivered some time previous TO the
opening OF the road. The other motor
has now been completed and turned over
10 the railroad officials. Ii is similar 10
the first one, although there are few
improvements even in this.
Al the Office of the Pennsylvania Rail
road Company very little could be learn
ed in regard 10 what the company in
tended 10 do II this line was a success
II was stated. however, that in case the
branch lnes could be operated by cleo
triclty at a cheaper rate than steam
power In al probability the trolley sys-
tenn would be- extended TO Nincentown.
slso on the Medford branch, and more
than likely TO the lines from Camden TO
Mount Holly. Nothing has been agreed
upon IN regard TO making these changes.
but plans have been made and all that
the officers are waiting for now Is Re
port on the Burlington and Mount Holly
branch.
rhc electricians have considerable trou-
BILE ahead Of them IN regard TO adapting
electricity for the running OF railroads in
competition with steam power. They have
20 overcome the difficulties OF transmits
zion. new machinery. more economical
engines for the running OF the dynamos.
different boilers and various other things
which crop out as changes are made
philadelphia Press.