The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-19
ELECTRICAL ENGINE TESTED
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Substitutes
Electricity for steam Power Upon Its
Largest Motors IN the Tunnel ut Balti.

baltimore and Ohio Railroad Substitutes
Electricity for Steam Power Upon Its
Largest Motors IN the Tunnel at Balti.
more.
New York, July 15.-Electricity IN
stead Of steam power in railway loco.
motion-such seems to be the inevitable
result. Much has been said and writ
ten about the possible suppression OF
the steam locomotive by the electrical
locomotive in railway service, but few
would have thought that within seven
years after the first successful demon
stration Of the adaptability Of the
electric motor to city transit an electric
locomotive vying in size and power and
speed with the heaviest steam locomo-
tive would actually be placed in SER
vice upon part Of the system Of one Of
the main trunk lines OF the country
Such a step in progress has. however,
been taken by the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. The system applies only to
transportation In the new tunnel
constructed under the city Of Baltimore
and to the approaches, distance all
told Of 5000 feet. but the step is a radl-
cal one, and the testings have been
productive OF such satisfactory results
that 1t Is safe to predict the date when
in all railway locomotion electricity will
be king.
In 1890 work was begun by the Balti.
more and Ohio company on the tunnel
which has been but recently completed.
1t was constructed to facilitate trans
porta'tion, for all trains on the road
north have been compelled to take
long and devious course. acting mater
tally to the competitive disadvantage
Of the company, as other lines had a
clear route through the city.
CoUid Not Use Steam.
With the project for the construction
Of the tunnel the question OF Its ventila-
ton became urgent. The dfsadvan-
tages Of its operation by steam locomO-
tives were patent. and 1t became neces-
sary to find a means Of doing away
with the smoke and gas either by q
scheme of ventilation or the abandon
ment of steam locomotiOn In the tunnel.
Gable traction was suggested. and other
schemes. but all In turn were rejected
| as Inadequate or unsatisfactory. The
General Electric company then offered
to undertake the construction OF cleo
trio locomotives of capacity sufficient
to haul the heaviest trains. effect the
| entire equipment of the system, both
for lighting and power. and thus to solve
the ventilation problem. Preparations
were made to commence the work of
construction on the locomotives. 30 that
they should be ready at the time the
tunnel opened, which event was set for
March. 1893. The tunnel was, however,
not finished until early this year. and
the electrical installation was not begun
until January, 1895. Nevertheless, the
delay had tts compensating advantages.
Electric railway apparatus had. during
that time, been greatly, perfected. and
the plant now in the power house Ii OF
the most modern character. while the
electric locomotives are the largest ever
constructed.
Extra Heavy Engines.
The power engines are built extra
strong. on accoun. Of the severe work
by which they will be taxed, and present
the latest development of Reynolds
Corliss type. Directly coupled to them
are 500 X. w. general electric mulupolaI
generators. adapted to run with the en-.
gine at l10 revolutions per minute
The armatures Of these generators arc
"overhuns,,i on the outer end Of the
shaft. The arrangement. In this re-
spect, differs from the. regular practice
Of railway generators. The .armaturei
differ from standard practice In being
wound for 700 volts potenAcal and are o.
the Iron clad type. !. e.. the windlngs arr
embedded In slots cut Into the outel