New-York tribune., 1903-06-28
SUSPENDED RAILWAY.
Soon To BE Opened By the German
Em DeTOT.

In a few weeks time the German Emperor viii
open the only suspended electric railway to De
found in the whole world II has been built be-
tween Barmen, Elberfeid and Vohwinkel. and for
part Of the way runs over the River Wupper. and
for part through these three busy towns Ger
tainly such railway IN the air. cannot be said
to be pleasing the artistic eve. but utility tri-
urnphs nowadays over sentiment. and there are
certainly points in favor OF this upside down
line 1t does not interfere with the street and
road traffic, and it is cheaper than an ordinary
line. it be slung rivers and back streets
and the only land required Is that necessary 70 plant
the supports Of the structure There are those who
believe that the suspended railway viii solve the
problem Of high speed passenger traffic and also cf
rapid interurban communication. and there are
projects for hundred niIe-an-hoUr suspended line
between London and Brighton and for another
line through the metropolis from east to west
In the case of the Barmen-E -EIberfeld- -Vohwinkel
line the conclusion arrived at that over
head railway the River Wupper was the only
kind permissible. underground line would
have been too costly. and there was absolutely no
room for surface railway or tramway. The ques-
ton was whether the railway should be the
plan the New York elevated railways. with the
necessary gfrders placed in the bed Of the river
whether the suspended plan Of Engineer Izausen
should be adopted. The latter won the day
The main objection TO the SUSPENDED railway IS
its unattractive appearance An engineer who re-
Gently visited the line says that when painted
cream color pale blue the whole has a very
light appearance and would appear sJIll much
lighter were it relieved Of very unnecessary
plank flooring that has been laid to provide means
Of escape for passengers in case Of accidents.
which, by the way. have not yet occurred In the
course of several months experimental running
The promoters of the system claim that the sus-
pended railway, in consequence OF its high and
light construction, does not deprive the inhabi-
tants Of the houses along which it runs OF either
air. light or free outlook. and in proof OF this
assertion they point that until only 5000
marks has had to be paid for the right 70 place
the supports. etc
The inhabitants. who have shown much artistic
feeling in their architecture. do not TO object
the carrying Of the suspended line through their
towns This may be accounted for by the fact
that the suspended railway is much less noisy than
competing systems The Continental street tram
writes one who has recently been investigating ths
question Of town railways. with its collecting
bow creates a Shrek much sharper than does
the London with its roller trolley" The col
the suspended railway eultS no noticeable
sound, the aerial vibration from the WhOIe
coming from bow trolley trans Besides aerial
vibration, surface railways also cause vibrations or
much greater energy through the earth. and these,
although they not everywhere perceived on
some develop, in unfavorabiy situated buildings.
trembling of the walls and floors of more annoy
ing character than the aerial disturbance In re-
spect earth trembling. that caused by the sus-
pended railway is markedly less thsin JnaJ
caused from street tramways. whose speed and car