The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-09
Back to that dear Princeton. .
Electric Transport ation.

One of the most interesting phases of
the constant change and internal de-
velopment in the world Of transporta-
tion and railroad operation, is found in
the growing tendency to experiment
with electricity as motive power sub
stitute for small unit hauls on roads
whore only steam power has been in
use. That electricity can be used to
advantage for short hauls 4 has been
demonstrated, and so obvious are the
opportunities for increasing traffic at a
less than ordinary ratio Of increase in
expense of operation, where there is
sufficient density Of population, that
several eastern roads are reported to
have the matter of the installation of
small unit, short-haul electric trains
under careful considerations.
Meanwhile, the October street rail
way supplement Of the Commercial and
Financial Chronicle contains the an
nouncement of the purchase by the New
York Central Of the controlling interest
in the Syracuse Rapid Transit and
Utica & Mohawk Valley line. The old
Auburn road was the original steam
road between Syracuse and Rochester.
This line the new management proposes
to equip electrically.
Many points for consideration pre-
sent themselves in this connection, hut
| the one of principal interest is the
evident recognition by the large steam
railroads Of the seriousness Of tn. COM
petition arising from the construction
of numerous interurban and cross
country trolley lines. in nearly every
state in the country. In competition
for short distance passenger traffic the
trolley lines have done well, and where
they have msdo the hauling of freight
a secondary part Of their business, they
have done equally well-within their
chvious limitations -
Advantages have be.r all on the side
Of the trolley lines and against Tho
steam roads in competition for thi:
business, which, while apparently email
and formerly thought unimportane, Ia.
shown an enormous aggr:aate and {
tendency to increase.
In consequence there has recently
been witnessed more general lookin!
into the merits Of tho trolley lines al
rsvs nuo producers and disposition 81
tho part Of the steam roads to Guy O.
control them. I * Esst
Against the advantages Gscruing@ t,
tha electrio lineE from chHapnsss O.
, operation and other oauges, there ha
been thu difficulty Of raising tn
spe,d, for IN the pressns era Of ex
tending Inns, thirtyfve and even fit.
miles thru the country, It has Dec!
found that both passengers and shi,
pers chafe at the longer tins neccssi
tzted, nor can the electric linss sver
come this, for even whcr" it is possibl
to raiss tsse speed tho-2 is this gv>a
: handicap, chat the electric roads 4
nos po :eess private rights of-way ba
:un upon the city .streets and along III
,.ublic highways. Unlike the s.eae
railways, ahey are limited by tho grsat
er danger to public safety, additional t.
l the tin,o l1st thru laore frequent stop.
!, It is this that makes the New Yor'
Central purchase Of double importance
cor the Auburn road will be the Grs
t electric line operated for songiderabl
: distance ever Grst-class roadbod, on a
rrtirely privas. right Of way, and hes
e will be opportunity for demonstrate
Of the advantages of operating elestr:
trains oves tho rails of Steam read
- Tor short runs. in tho more thickly sci
tlsd portion. IF territory traversed.
If it proves successful in this il
st5.f:,ce.. other roads may take it up
y hence tie experiment will be w;.tche
p with interest in the railroad weld.