The San Francisco call., 1896-11-22
100 0o
HERES LIGHTNING SPEED
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express by the third rail system, which is
system of cond ucting the current to
moving motors or trains, consisting of an
additional rail either of iron. steel or
copper, laid in the track at the same
height as the main rail, on which rolls or
slides the collector.
The compressed-air brakes are used and
are applied by means of levers and air
cylinders. The engineers valve is OF the
standard Westing house type. 1t has an
additional connection, so that when the
handle of the brake valve is placed in the
emergency position for sudden stop the
air is admitted to a small pipe leading TO
the main circuit breaker. This air opens
the circuit breaker and cuts off the electric
current, so that the movement of one
handle not only applies the brake, but
shuts OF the current so as to give the
big hest possible degree of safety.
In addition there is provided reversing
switch for the motors, so that they can be
made to stop the locomotive train by a
backward pull. The automatic air pump
is driven by electricity. The electric
motor which drives is directly connected
and without gears.
great giant of the electric age are not in
theory. On the experimental tracks in
the yards of its builders along which it
has been run such terrific and unheard- of
speed has been attained as to permit the
announcement to be made as conservative
that the average speed of 12O miles an
hour can be maintained for almost any
distance.
That will be like falling through space
and with the landscape seeming to be in @
mad rush to get somewhere behind the
engine. Fences will appear like short
lines, and telegraph-p posts set at the ordi-
nary distance like the rails on fence.
All grades will be overcome without effort,
and the entire road, whether over noun
tains, through valleys or across bridges
will be gone over at the same rate of speed.
The enormity Of the invention that will
produce such speed can scarcely be real
lied. In an instant the world shrlnks and
becomes one-third the size it is considered
to-day. Distant points draw near.
Naturally at first thought surprise
might be expressed that every railroad
system did not adopt the lightning ex-
press now that it has become a reality.
I't mOAueuIS 8 COuSlueratlOn Will show
the millions OF dollars that must be ex.
pended before even the most enterprising
railroad could be properly equipped for
the new express and the motor power OF
the road changed from steam to elec-
trcity. There is the great central power
house, with its wonderful machinery for
generating the current; the third rail OF
copper to carry the current the distance OF
the road; the entire new roadb made
necessary TO assure safety for the terrific
speed the cost of the new locomotive and
rolling stock and the other endless ex-
penses.
1t cannot but be a matter of time when
these vast changes must be made in re-
sponse 10 popular demand, but the outlay
of unlimited capital cannot come in day
or week.
David L. Barnes, the electric expert OF
the Baldwin aud Westinghouse COM
panies. in speaking to the writer told
something of the wonders OF the new
lightning express. and spoke of the change
in equipment that would cost hundreds OF
thousands of dollars. The entire signal
systems of railroads, he says, must be
changed before the lightning express can
be conveniently adopted. Now these sig