The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-08-27

works and hreweries. The abundance
of coal in the vicinity has been of great
Importance to the town, and the indus
trial development of the population OF
both has increased very much of late
years.
In 1893 the municipalities of Elberfeld
and Barmen determined to provide bet
ter facilities than then in existence for
intercommuncation. At first they con-
templated the erection OF an elevated
electric railroad similar to the Liver
pool overhead railway, but this type
suspended railway, invented by Herr
Eugen Langen, an engineer of much
distinction, who died in Cologne in
1895.
The idea of suspended cars was sug-
gested to Langen by the transport diff
ficulties of the sugar works which he
had inherited, and he accordingly pa
tented a method for the conveying of
goods by aerial galloway. Later on he
adopted the system for passenger traf
fic, and thus was evolved the very in
genious railway which was opened a
few weeks ago in Germany, and which
is the only one Of its kind in the world.
In choosing meanso Of communication
the authorities had to take many points
into consideration. The four towns Of
Barmen, Elberfeld, Sonnborn and Voh-
winkel almost join one another, each
merging with the other. The absence
OF main streets go not allow the build
ing of line on the road level, and as in
the Langen system, 1t was possible to
cnstruct certain portions Of the line
over the river Wupper, which runs
through the valley in which the towns
lie, this scheme was finally adopted.
The Mono-Rail Suspended railway
was commenced at the close Of the year
1896, and at the end Of 1893 the first sec
ton was ready for the trial runs. Some
portion of the line was opened for traffic
at the commencement of the year, and
in few weeks time the whole line will
be declared open with much ceremony.
The permanent way of the Langen
suspended railroad is suspended from
tripod girder sections, placed at inter-
walls of 80 yards apart.
A word may be said, in conclusion,
with regard to the future of the Lam
gen mono-rail system, and its possible
use In crowded localities may be first
considered. Locomotion may be of three
kinds: on the road level, underground,
and in the air. In London and other
cities of the United Kingdom the under
ground railway is favored; although
Liverpool has followed this example
New York, Berlin, and other places have
gone "A for an elevated electric railway.
From the point of view of space econ
omy there is good deal to be said for
suspended mono-rail, for 1t can be con-
structed along the streets without in
terfering with the traffic, and over riv-
ers and canals without interfering with
navigation.
DOUBTLESS such a line down the streets
Of American cities would seem strange
| 10 us, but we would get used to 1t in
time. Considering now the question oi
express passenger traffic the advocates
of the Langen system point out that .
| suspended track could be built over thu
existing metals, and used exclusively a.
a high speed line. Experimental runs
on the Barmen-Elberfeld railway have
| been made up to 1870 miles an hour
and it is confidently believed that will
a few notifications 100 miles an hon
would easily be obtained.
LOUIS LONG.