New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-25
LORD KELVIN AT SCHENECTADY.
THE BRITISH SCIENTIST VISITS THE GEN
ERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYs WORKS.

Schenectady, n. Y. Sept 2i-Lord F.elvin. the
distinguished British scientist. visited Science
tady to-day Tor the purpose Of seeing the gree
works of the General Electric Company. He Vas
accompanied by Lady Kelvin. lie arrived here in
the private car OF Spencer Trask. In company with
the latter. Alanson Trask. George Foster Pea
body. OF Boston; II. r. Bowker. Of New-York
Count dl BrazZa-Savorgaan. Captain Eugene Crit
nm ana e. w. Rice, jr. The party met by
Professor Elihu Thomson s. Dana Greene. ]. F.
Ord and a number OF engineers and electricians
The occasion Of this visit OF Lord Kelvin was
taken advantage OF by the General Electric Com
pany TO show some OF the recent developments In
tho electrical field which have not hitherto been
made public. Lord Kelvin was taken first through
the testing shop. where every machine is subject
ed 10 rigid test before It leaves the works In
this building he dynamos Of all sizes from
the small one capable OF supplying fifteen mean
crate enough current to light 10000 lamps. and
also the large transformers. for reducing current
of 10000 volts TO the pressure which Il
safely be used Lord Kelvin took copious notes
1t was found deut to persuade sa e' him to leave
the inspection Of the many wonderful things he
u new system Of surface Contact FOR Electrical
Street-railway systems. This was developed 10
the underground conduit 4 stretch OF track in
the works has been equipped with this system. and
party. A series Of small metal disks is set in
parallel rows between the rails. over these pass
one plate through one shoe TO the motor, and
down the other shoe to the plate on the other
side. The only plates with electricity in them are
those Immediately under the car. all others in
front of IT and behind 1t being dead. The advan-
tages Of this scheme in crowded city streets were
readily appreciated by Lord Kelvin.
He spent considerable time examining an cleo
trio brake for streetcars in which the attractive
power of magnetism Is utilized The brake con-
siss OF steel disks. one attached to the motor
and stationary. and the other attached TO the
axle, with which 1t revOlves The disk on the
motor becomes powerful ro-magnet as soon
electricity is put into coil OF wire Embedded
in IL. To stop the car the tch-handle Is turned
a. the ordinary manner. the current from the out
side source Is cut off. the motors become dynamos
and the disk a powerful electro magnet, which at
tracts instant aneously the revolving disk, and
brings the car to stop. Lord Kelvin was sur:
pYised To find the brought TO standstill well
within its own length BY this simple device.
Lord Kelvin left the works for Boston IN COM
pany with Lady Kelvin and Professor Thomson.
Before departing he said ne had been greatly
pleased with what he had seen. and had learned
enormously" Reminded OF a prediction That mad
been made him his Jubilee that In ten years
the steam locomotive would be almost superseded
by the electric locomotive. he said that after what
he had seen In America the statement had lost
Its temcr.ty.