Evening journal., 1906-07-05
TROLLEYS RUN
BY GASOLINE
sneciai to The rvening Journal.

DOVER. Del, July 5.-The trolley
movement in lower Delaware has re-
ceived some discouragements and set
backs but the projectors and advocates
are pressing onward
They are watching with great inter-
est the operations of the Middletown-
Odessa electric or rapid transit rail-
road
This road was founded as a trolley
road connecting Middletown and
Odessa and continuing no further, al
though primarily intended as a part Of
the continuous down Delaware system
from Darby and Philadelphia. The road
was built and equipped at cost Of
5i5,000 starting operations with two
Brill cars of modern pattern. The mo-
tive power was supplied by two engine
dynamo pieces installed in the Middle
town electric light station to save cost
! The operation of the trolley railway
has not been regular and the trolley
cars have been run into the car barn
to remain, except for special occasions.
if the railway had led to a large town
or a feeder 10 Wilmington or Dover,
or had connected two towns even as
large as Middletown the financial show
ing might have been different. Odessa,
is, however, much smaller and Is not a
| bustlng mart of the twentieth century
except when the Philadelphia boat
hoves i'm sight and begins to discharge
her cargo.
1t costs the company IS each per day
to operate the trolley cars even when
every extra expense had been shaved
off and the operating expenses reduced
to a minimum This did not include
the interest on the investment or a sum
laid by for damage suits or serious ac-
cidents or washouts.
The company was therefore driven
to resort TO some more economical
mode OF transportation of its patrons
over the three-mile route.
II purchased and put upon the route
gasoline cars, which had been operated
i successfully in other parts Of the coun-
try. and this, therefore, is Delaware S
only gasoline railway. 1t occurred to
the directors that II gasoline could be
utilized to drive the great racing autos
and the heavy touring cars OF the mo-
bilists, it might just be the motive
power they had been searching for.
Consequently, gasoline was introduc.
ed as the new force for rapid transit
and the company Is now operating each
car at an expense of so cents per day II
addition to the salary Of the carman
chauffeur or motorman or conductor o,
whatever he may be called.
At first the gasoline was ridculed. II
was so much smaller than the trolleys
that some of the townspeople termed Il
the peanut roaster. 1t discharged OF
sprayed gasoline about and some pretty
girls went home with stained Paris
dresses and stained Irish faces Its fif-
teen-horse power motor was at times
insufficient TO drive the car over grades
and some OF the passengers had to get
out and push.
These difficulties have been in a great
measure overcome. however and the
gasoline cars are keeping the railway
open and running on regular schedule.
The system has many advantages
which will shine forth as the sun wher
heavier motors and larger horse-powei
can be used. Zach car has its own mo.
tor and any breakdown Of wires OF
power houses therefore. does not effect
it. If one car breaks down, another
car can be operated and run the Grip.
pied one 10 a turnout without delay
The matter OF cheapncss, however, ha.
! commended itself TO railway men al
over the country and practical railwa,
men who have seen the Aiiddletowr
road In operation, declare that heavier
and more modern cars can be run witt
great success.