The evening times., 1900-04-13

Following the lead OF Liverpool Shelf
field, Bradford Glasgow. Manchester, and
other cities Of Great Britain, il is prom
ised that an electric street railway serv-
ice will soon supersede the present horse
tramways IN Nottingham. The present
system is probably as antiquated es any
in England. There are. in fact three main
systems or lines. each extending from near
the central portion OF the business sec
tiOn to the railway depots or outskirts,
the whole comprising only about six miles
OF track; but there is no central depot.
the downtown termini being several blocks
distant from each other. No transfers are
given. each line being conducted independ-
emily. The fares vary in a peculiar man
ner. On one Of the three lines which is
about one mile in length over level ground.
the fare is Id e cents). The other two
lines have each one steep and long hill on
their routes. II you desire TO travel the
full length OF one of these lines ID. a
cents) will be charged. II you desire 10
ride only to the top OF the hill the same
fare will BE charged. IT, however you
happen to h- On the top OF one of these
nils and desire TO ride down either way.
tie fare is only Id. e. cents) This yaria-
tion OF charge is made, as the authorities
explain. because a third horse is necessary
TO pull the heavy trans. which are modelled
after the London bus pattern. with seats
on top, up the hills. This tram service
is supplemented by number of buses.
which carry patrons not only along the
regular routes. but 20 suburbs beyond the
limits of the tram lines. Upon these. sim
lar fares are charged. Double tracks for
the trans exist only on portions Of the
rCutes. and trans run about every ten
m,0utes. When once the seats are full.
inside and out not another passenger is
admitted.
One result Of the imperfect system has
been the creation OF ine. comprehensive
. I'd reasonable cab service. That an ade-
Iuate modern electric system will fnd an
abundant field here. and that II will revO-
lutiOnize present conditions to a great ex-
tent is apparent. Opportunity is also af-
forded for the introduction OF devices
found TO he successful In the United
States.
Originally. the tram system was intro
duced aud owned by private company It's
operation was supposed to BE- profitable
and after considerable local agitation the
city bought The system in 1897 and assumed
control In June. 1888. large number OF
additional employees were put in service
! new cars and horses added and improve
ments made q time schedules. but il
| seems 10 oe questionable whether these
I Improvements have paid. At the time OF
/ purchase the question of electricity was
I sgitaJed and a grant Tor the purpose finally
/ obtained from Parliament Committees
B from the council were appointed 20 inveS-
/ ti<ate electric service elsewhere. and Las
I year the United States was visited for that
purpose by local engineers. The overhead
/ idea was finally adopted and 70 is an
rCunced that by December - Of this year
I one branch OF the proposed system viii De
i iu operation. the others 10 follow quickly
No statement is obtainabie as 90 when the
whole system wild be complete The ciry
/ owns both extensive gas and eleCtrIU-Iight
I works. and it is assured that no expense
viii eventually Dc spared IN creating q
modern street-rs ilway system with "a GEN.
tral depot and adequate suburban service
Contracts fOr experimental motors have
been placed In sheffield. II not Satisfacto-
/ ry upon trial. other offers will be cousid-
cred. The bodies Of.the ears will be- bull.
| in England but an American firm b. under
I contract 20 make and deliver the wheels
/ The wire contracts are likely 10 20 to New
B Jersey. American steel rails are also un-
/ der consideration American bids for mis-
! ceIlaueOus material will receive attention
ard enquiries should be addressed TO sat
! Arthur Browne. city engineer. az Noting
. ham