Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-20

trdCkS from one SldIlOn, IuGu tue Capacity
of the station itself would only be that re-
quired for the regular traffic of the line,
but the new devices would have to be
sufficient to handle the usual traffic OF the
section which they supplied and would have
to be given a capacity greatly In excess Of
the average load in order to supply this
power. The electricians must distinctly
bear in mind in considering the application
Of electricity to steam roads that any de-
parture from a uniform distribution OF
load along the line will Increase both the
cost of equipment and the cost OF opera
ton. This Information picked up by close
ly following the electric papers.
Outside the freight business the guard
ing Of grade crossings will be another o6-
stacle for the electric service. The people
In the country would have to be tausnt 10
lookout for the bell instead OF the Whistie.
and suppose we would have to Kill ABOUT
a. hundred or more before the new idea
would meet with general approval
Interfering Currents.
'Then, again, look at the chances there
are for the current to escape from the
wires and tangle things up hopelessiy. rms
escape occurs in cities where the trolley
system is used, and why it shouldn't hap
pen along the railroads / cannot under
stand. In Brooklyn, Baltimore and fnlia-
delphia 1t has been demonstrated that
enough electricity escapes to enable mouse
holders along the different lines 10 nght
their homes ard even run electric laiis'
Now, see how important this escape Is.
All the big eastern roads are elulpplng
their lines with electric signals AT cost
amounting to nearly million dollars each.
The adoption of the trolley system on the
railroads will virtually kill this signal sys-
tenn, as the escaping currents will surely
dsarrange all the connections.
II see by the last number OF the En-
cheering News that two cases nave re
Gently been reported of interference with
electric signals on the railroad by the
ground current from an electric trolley line
One case was at Ashland, KY. and the
other at Chicago, and G. w. Thayer at
the annual meeting of the Railroad Tele-
graph superintendent Association in
Montreal last month, thought the occur
renee important enough to read lengthy
paper on the subject. Mr.. Thayer said that
particulars were wanting in the first case,
but in the second 1t was stated that the
signals, operated on a track circuit on the
Northwestern road. would go to danger on
the approach Of trolley car and remain
there until the car had passed and gone
some distance.
"Now, If the trolley wires will set sig
nal at danger, unknown to the signal oper-
ator, why should 1t not set 1t at safety at
another time. Setting a signal at danger,
of course, prevents accidents. but 1t also
delays trains, and the travelling public kicks
more at delays than they do at accidents.
Now, suppose the operator has lowered the
red signal to prevent a train entering
block to protect a train just ahead around
a nearby curve. He has done this many
times, and Is confident everything is all
right. He relaxes his vigil. knowing the
oncoming train will put him on his guard
by whistling.
with affairs in this state. the trolley car
approaches the railroad crossing. and
through the lost current drives back the
danger signal, and the safety light comes
into view. The oncoming express train.
seeing the white light instead of signaling,
Increases Its speed, dashes by the tower.
ard before the signal operator can collect
his thoughts another engineer and fireman
are fit subjects for the undertaken. and per-
haps dozen more are in the same boat
through the collision that follows.
what applies to the signal wires also
along the railroad lines: ths escape current
from the trolley Is sure, to damage them,
and thereby interrupt Important tele-
graphic communication.
another engineer who, Vas seated about
four yards from the other talker. You
talk about the freight business being too
much for the trolley on RAILROADS; now. why
isn't the passenger traffic also too much
great trolley engine broke down up In the
Baltimore tunnel with an ordinary train of
coal cars. The average through passenger
cars, and we know that they will weigh as
much as twenty freight cars. Now, If the
electric engine fails with, a small freight
train. she will surely fail with the usual
through passenger train; won't she? To
my mind, the railroads had better watch
the passenger business. and perfect that
system first, before they dabble- into the
This last mans questions and remarks
were too much for the club. and the assem-
blage broke up, with EXPLANATIONS of APP
prevail, and every one present went home
with the idea that 1t will be quite while
before their positions on the. railroad are
jeopar1ized by the Introduction of the cleo
trio system