New-York tribune., 1903-06-18
CENTR4LS NEW SYSTEM
ELECTRICITY 4S POWER.
Important Changes IN Divisions and
Terminal to Result.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]


Utica N Y June 1.-THE tentative plans of
the New-York Central Railroad for the sub
stitution of electricity for steam as a motive
power within the limits of NcwYork City Will
make important changes in the division align
ment of the road. At present there are three
divisions. The first division is from Buffalo to
Syracuse. the second from Syracuse to Albany,
and the third from Albany to New-York. This
makes three changes of engines necessary. I'm
der the system Syracuse and Albany are to
he abandoned as division terminals, and Utica
and point between Ossining and Croton
will he the division terminals Trains will he
run from Buffalo to Utica. where engines will
be changed. From Utica the next division will
be a station near Ossining. and here the electric
motors will be coupled on for the trip to New
York. This Will give the road greater use of
power. and also time.
The terminal changes. in New-York. involving
they do the substitution of steam for e1eC-
tricity, will make the end of the electric di-
vision at Croton Landing. between Ossining
and Peekskl where a city will spring
up. The western end of the new division will be
in this city, while only brief stops by passing
trains will be made at Albany. Engineers who
have looked over the Certral's plans inclined
TO believe that the division ends four years from
to-day will be Croton Landing and Utica, in
at present.
The Central's draughtsmen are busy almost
night and day the plans for the gigantic
changes. that may cost upward OF $2O.OOo,oO1.
1t is the intention OF the company to drive
everything in the way of plans through this
summer. and get the actual construction work
begun early in the fall.
1t is said by those who profess 10 know that
the heavy electric locomotives which the Cen
Croton Landing will whisk the trains to Croton
on the main line and TO White Plains on the
Harlem division at the highest practicable rate
Of speed At these two points the regular loco
motives will pick up the trains and take them
on their way.
Cutting thirty-fve or forty miles off the lower
end of the Hudson division will make the run to
Albany short for a division by making
Utica the end Of the Hudson division the run
will be about right for the fast locomotives that
are now being used on express trains.
1t is expected that if these plans are carried
out there will be a vigorous protest from the
Albany patrons of the Central, as well as from
engineers and trainmen who own homes there.
Taking the roundhOuses and machine shops
away from Albany. if the change is made, is not
a pleasant prospect for the tradesmen there.
ON the other hand. the business men of Utica
will doubtless welcome the change. as it will
mean an addition OF many hundred families to
tho norulation OF "Oid Pent Up" as Utica is
sometimes called.
Crotou doubtless will experience a growth
riYaIlinE the progress of the boom towns of the
West It not only will have large population
of electricians and trainmen. but 1t ought to be-
come prominent suburb OF New York All
the main line trains will have 10 stop there to
take on the steam locomotives. and the run up
the river will pe a quick one in all kinds of
weather. When the plans for change of power
in the tunnel were first announced il was said
that the power would be changed on local trains
only, and that through trains would still be
moved by steam power. That has since been
changed and under this change of divisions
every train that comes into the Grand Central
terminal will be moved by electricity. 1t is said
that the Westinghouse Company and the Cen
eral Electric Company are both hard at work
preparing specifications for the huge motors
that will be used in hauling trains in and out
of New-York City.
If was said yesterday that the plans of the
New-York Central in changing its terminal in
this city provided for the construction of a large
union station near Marble HILL on sixty city
lots recently purchased there The station. it
was said would be used jointly by the New
York Central, the subway and the elevated w
J. Wilgus, fifth vice president of the New-York
Central. when asked about this matter yester-
day. said that such a station had been under
consideration, but added: "All our plans are
tentative and nothing has yet been decided upon.
They will be fully announced when the proper
requirements fulfilled and the company is
struction of its terminal and improvements
pected with the work"