The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-03
A REAL LIGHTNING LINE.
The Lake Shore and New York Gen.
trail to he Made Electric Roads.

trail to BE Made Electric Roads.
Chicago Letter in Pittsburg Commercial
Gazette.
A leading railroad man makes declara-
ton that the Lake Shore and New York
Central roads connecting Chicago and New
york city will be operated by electricity
within five years The Lake Shore road,
system of the Vanderbits. Its grades have
been cut down and the roadbed straight
ened with the express purpose of introduce
Ice. The Lake Shore will be the pioneer
long -distance electric road of America
Buffalo in six hours or less. The New
York Central will be the next route
equipped with electric motors. 1t being the
intention of the vanderbilts TO establish
an express passenger service between the
two principal cities of the country that
will not consume more than twelve hours
l have this information from officials who
stand high in the Vanderbilt service and
1t comedies with recent statements by the
best electrical engineering talent in the
country. 1t Is now solely a question of
details, and the cost of electrical equip
ment is. am told. no barrier to the plan.
which is fully decided upon"
SINCE PRESIDENT Newelfs death none of
the higher Lake Shore officials has had
headquarters in Chicago. and the minor
on1cfals were not prepared to make any
authoritative statement In the matter One
or the officers said that the subject of
electrical equipment had been under con-
sideration for several years
The roadbed of the Lake Shore is now
what Is known as water grade" all the
way from Chicago to Buffalo, Hills have
been cut down and hollows have been filled
I'm until almost the entire line Is on n dead
level. No other roadbed In the country Of
fers such facilities for electrical equipment
The change from steam to electricity would
necessarily make the Lake Shore an exclu-
sively passenger road at first. The Wander
bilt financiers are said TO have decided that
the Increased passenger traffic would more
than compensate for the freight traffic
which would be diverted to other roads II
is also claimed that as the vanderblts con-
troll other through lines between Ch.ca go
and New York, they can better affo-d to
maintain an exclusive passenger line than
any other capitalists, High-grade express
matter and the mails would naturaIly be
carried on the electric line.
The factor OF increased speed is said to
be only one fnducement for the change from
steam TO electricity. Economy In operating
expenses is all on the side OF electric mo-
tors After the electric plant is Installed
the running expenses will be diminished 10
an extent sufficient to create a sinking fund
enough to wipe out the cost of the eouir,-
ment within limited number or years
The plans as at present outlined are for an
tervals of fifty miles
The cost OF coal for the generating
plants is said TO be only ~ per cent OF
the operating expenses. Compound con-
er stations, thereby effecting an enormous
saving as compared with moving locomo-
tfves. The reduced cost OF operation also
applies TO the electric motors which will
dispense with firemen,. and will stand lon
GER trips. without friction. than locomo-
tives. Only one change OF motors between
Chicago and Buffalo Is contemplated The
increased economy In operation by electric
ity is\held 10 be a factor that will reyolu-
tionize\ american railroading. 1t will make