The evening times., 1900-04-13

Following the lead of Liverpool, Shelf
field, Bradford, Glasgow. Manchester, anC
other cities of Great Britain, it 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 neal
| 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 centsD. The other two
lines have each one steep and long hill on
their routes. IL you desire to travel the
full length of one of these lines, I'd. a
cents) will be charged. IL you desire to
ride only to the top of the hill, the same
fare will be charged If, however, you
happen to be on the top of one of these
hills and desire to ride down either way.
81
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 a number OF buses,
which carry patrons not only along the
regular routes, but to suburbs beyond the
limits of the tram lines. Upon these, sim
liar fares are charged Double tracks for
the trans exist only on portions of the
routes, and trans run about every ten
minutes. 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 fine comprehensive
and reasonable cab service. That an ade-
quate modern electric system will find an
abundant field here. and that il will revo-
lutionize present conditions TO a great eX-
tent is apparent Opportunity is also af-
forded for the introduction of devices
found 10 be successful in the United
States.
Originally. the tram system was intro
duced aud owned by private company. Its
operation was supposed to be profitable.
and after considerable local agitation the
city bought the system in 1897 and assumed
control In June. 1S@S. 4 large number of
additional employees were put in service,
new cars and horses added. and improve
ments made in time schedules; but il
seems to be questionable whether these
improvements have paid. At the time of
purchase. the question OF electricity WAS
sgitated and grant for the purpose finally
obtained from Parliament. Committees
from the council were appointed 70 inyeS-
tigate electric service elsewhere and las,
year the United States was visited for that
purpose by local engineers. The overhead
idea was finally adopted. and it Is an
nounced that by December - of this year
one branch of the proposed system will be
in operation. the others to follow quickly
No statement is obtainable as to when the
whole system will be complete. The city
owns both extensive gas and eleCIriC-light
works and it Is assured that no expense
will eventually be spared in creating
modern street-railway system with cen
Jral depot and adequate suburban service
Contracts for experimental motors have
been placed iD Sheffield. If not satisfacto-
ry upon trial other offers will be consid-
cred The bodies of the cars will be bull,
in England but an American firm is under
contract TO make and deliver the wheels
The wire contracts are likely to go to New
Jersey. American steel rails are also un-
der consideration American bids for mis-
cellaneous material will receive attention.
ard enquiries should be addressed to Nr.
Arthur Browne. city engineer at Noting
hau