The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-18
Santa Fe to Discard Pintsch
Lighting System.
Electricity Wins After a IL
Months Test.
AN IMPORTANT CHANGE
Reasons Why Electricity Was
Chosen Over Gas.
Santa Fe Now Has 100 Cars
Electrically Equipped

AS a result of experiments begun a
year ago today, the Santa F'e is TO con-
tinue the use of electricity as an illu-
minant for its passenger equipment. In
accordance with that decision. the Pull
man company, which is operating -
cars upon which apparat us for axle
lighting was placed. TO remain provided
the experiments Were successful, viii
purchase the dynamoS, storage bat
terieS and other parts, outright.
The tests by means of which the efii-
cheney of this scheme for lighting trains
was determined were under the direct
supervision of F. r. Frost, chief cleo
trician, who had his headquarters here,
and a corps of a dozen or more cleo
trical experts and assistants distributed
at various division points along the
road At first it was contemplated that
the apparatus should be given a trial
of nine months; but at the end of that
time it was desired to go farther, and
the final test closed with the three
months terminating February 1. These
latter tests were made in order to sat
isfy all doubts as to the utility of the
scheme in winter weather, when cOndi-
tions are the most adverse There had
chinery to work satisfactorily, but
these were overcome. The tests were
the most rigid and the results were
transmitted to Third Vice President
Kendrick by a system of daily reports.
Within the last few months the COM
parison of illuminants narrowed down
between electricity and Pintsch gas.
Previous to that acetylene gas had cut
some figure, but after about $35, 900
worth of the finest passenger equip
ment was burned and three porters put
out of service by injuries resulting from
the explosions, that was dropped from
the list and its further use abandoned.
The adVantag eS which the incandeScent
light has over the Pintsch lamp are of
a threefold nature: In summer the cleo
tricity does not produce nearly the heat
in he he ale
trical fluid may be converted into
power by means of which fans for cool
ing the air in cars may be run; and
likewise fans may be operated in snok-
the atmosphere Moreover, the electric
light is thought to be a little brighter
and there is no danger from its opera
ton.
The electricity is generated by the
revolution of the car v~heels which are
connected with a dynamo located on the
trucks by means of a belt. This dyna-
mo has not only sufficient capacity to
do the lighting while the trains is in
motion, but when it has stopped the
lights still burn, receiving their supply
from small storage battery. This bat
terry viii keep the car lighted for about
Is hours, and inasmuch as inspectors
go over the apparatus every day there
is no possibility of the trains going
without electric light for any long time.
There are now on the Santa FHe 100
passenger cars equipped with this sort
of apparatus for illumination. distribu-
ted as follows: Seven business cars, or
specials used by the officials; Is coach
es; % chair cars; 10 buffet; 10 diners:
and % Pullmans.
Several new cars which were ordered
by the company months ago are being
fitted up for Illuminating with Pintsch
gas, but this is owing TO the uncertain
results of the tests with electricity. But
few electric headlights are in use on the
system.