The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-10-05
PROGRESS ON THE NEW HAVEN
 ROAD.

The news that electric engines have at last been ordered for use at this end of the New Haven road indicates that it's officers are in fact less conservative than they have recently appeared to be. The New York Central hopes to begin its electric service next summer or fall, but it will provide only for hauling its own trains in and out of the city. Its third rail below Woodlawn and a sup ply current will be available for New Haven trains, but motive machinery for the latter must be furnished by the company which operates them. Inas- much as heavy locomotives, such as are needed for expresses, are not built in a day, the public has been wondering how long the managers of the New Ha- ven road were going to wait. But ac- tive steps have now been taken to meet all requirements, and it looks as if the substitution of electricity for steam would simultaneously affect all trains . coming into and leaving the Grand Central station.
 Under the new system inward bound expresses on the Hudson river will eX- change one kind of locomotive for the other in the vicinity of Croton. Similar trains on the Harlem division will do so at White Plains. Where the electric engine will replace the steam engine on the New Haven road has not yet been announced. It will not be necessary at the outset to go further away than Woodlawn for the purpose; but, should afin hn oHn ta5 ct11a urban branch that diverges from the main line at New Rochelle, it may be thought judicious to exchange engines at that point. It is probable that with in few years much more extensive application of electricity to trunk line railway service will be made. Notable as are the changes now planned by the New York Central and the companies which are following it's example, it is not rash to believe that they are only preliminary to still more comprehen- siVe transformation. Hence it would seem to matter little at what point on the New Haven road the substitution of one engine for another is first made
 Possibly the delay in ordering motive machinery for that road was due to g. wish to learn what rival builders of electric engines might have to offer. It is interesting to notice that the contract given last year by the Central went to the General Electric company, whereas the Westinghouse company has re- ceived the order for the New Haven en- zines. Outwardly, no doubt, the two kinds of locomotives will be practically Identical; but there is little differ ence in their design. The Central will use the direct, or continuous, current, whereas the New Haven company is said to mediate the adoption of the alternating current for parts of it's sys- tenn not directly adjacent to the Gen. trals terminal facilities, therefore the New Haven company will employ a type of motor which, can be actuated by either form of current. A fine chance for comparison will thus be af- forded. Practically all of the Ameri- can and European railroads which are operated by electricity at all rely on the direct current, certain objections to the alternating current having long ex- isted. It is asserted by the advocates of the latter that the drawbacks have been overcome, and if that statement is true the experiment about to be made on the New Haven road should prove instructive.-New York Tribune.