New-York tribune., 1901-08-28
AMERICAN ENGINES ABROAD.
JAPANESE PREFER THEM TO BRITISH
LOCOMOTIVES FOR TWO REASONS.

Japan. aug. lone at least the rail-
way corporations of Japan ha. no doubt about
.4e advantages Of the American locomotive over
eie BRITISH. In the course OF inquiries made as
10 the experience Of Japanese comnanies with
american. British and2 other railway ulan1s tho
4i40une correspondent has seen the locomotive
I 4-i.'ehcent or the Sanyo company here, per-
cps t1le most enterprtstng and UP 70 date Of all
--e Ia1I"ay corporations OF Japan. The data which
ne supplied as to his corpany's experience in rba
past and intentions for the future tell a tale
strongly in favor of the American engine Prob
aoIy this company's experience is not 10 be taken
as telling the whole story for all the railway
companies OF this country but so far as the facts
given go. there is no doubt about their meaning
Inc Sanyo company introduced American Iocono-
llEes SIX years ago Previously it had bought
none out British engines, This is the verdict in
orlet Of the cOmpany's officials: We don't intend
Our principal reasons are that we cannot get them
q@4ch4y enough, and that they cost half as much
again as American engines
Inc company finds that the American engine
costs $4,000 against So 900 for the locomotive i'm
ported from Great Britain. Orders to English
makers are filed IN from nine 10 Twelve months
time while American manufacturers supply them
IN from seven TO nine months after acceptance of
tender. The company's American engines at first
consumed more fuel than the British locomotives
This. however. was due 10 the drivers lack OF Ax
perlence with locomotives from the United States
IoT the company used other than British engines
up 10 six years ago Now the fuel consumption
comes out about the sa ne with the American and
the British engine.
Inc company's superintendent holds z sorr ~
impression that the life" Of the American engine
VIII probably be shorter than that of the British
But, he said. I have not actually found this
SeI, because We have not had the American loco
motive long enough
Inc locomotive superintendent said rather en-
phaucaIly that the workmanship Of the American
engine IS rougher than that Of the British. This
IN Iact. appeared TO be his principal objection
Inc boiler he said. is apt 70 give out and to leak
Unexpectedly, while the British engine usually
mas tight and well fitted boiler He conceded
tIat the building OF the American engine is on
more scientific and original lines than the English
out the workmanship in the British product is
better. The tire Of the American engine ts harder
and therefore more durable The sight feeding
lut rlcator Is esteemed an advantage the absence
OF which In the British engine Is poirt against
H. ana there Is superior comfort In the drivers
CABIN on the American engine.
For It's rails the Sanyo company at present
goes Doth to England and the United States get
ting about half from each The rolling stock is
also divided between British and American max
ers. Tie company is beginning 10 trv locomotive
guiding on It's own accountable others in Japau
All the parts are imported. and owing 70 the low
STANDARD Of wages IN this country the company
Is able 10 put locomotive on its rails In this wav
Ior Tess than the cost OF the engine imported com
pete. 50 far. however. the Sanyo company has
only Two engines running which have been pfeced
togeTaer by its own worknen. and II is not likely
l--1- t-ls or any other japanese company will DO
In-cn C5 ~ tHis work for some time to come
-4-i.4 engines nave been imported by several
OF the smaller japanese companies The Sanvo
superintendent has mad experience with them.
ttt.7y Are goGd IN quality, he says. but rather
ce44cate IN build