The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-05-11
MOTOR CAR
RAPIDLY SUPPLANTING STEAM
LOCOMOTIVES.
Steps Which the Great Railroads Are
Taking TO Install the New Motive
Power-Cheaper, Cleaner
and Better.

A few years ago when some one had
the boldnes to PROFOUND the question.
will the electric railway motor sup
plant the steam locomotive ?" it eXcit-
ed a smile Of amused incredulity
among railroad men, and nothing
more. but the developments Of recent
years has clearly demonstrated that
electricity is about to give the steam
locomotive a fight to a finish, with the
odds in favor Of the former motive
power.
It was in 1883 that the first street
ear was successfully pulled through the
streets of Richmond, Va, by an cleo
trio motor, and from that humble be-
ginning it has widened its sphere of
usefulness until it has not only be-
come the motive power on suburban
and interurban lines. but many electric
| roads have been built to parallel steam
lines, and has shown itself a danger
Gus rival, for whereas the first electric
cars were equipped with a l5-horse
pp"NA LtSlb "ttp "iI NV" HHiI| ny W
400 and 500-horse power.
Railroad companies are VIGOROUSLY
| conservative in their business meth
DDS, but as every new electrical tri-
umph meant another incroachment
| upon the steam locomotive, these add
vances became so persistent that at
last the railroad companies were
| forced to take notice in selt~defense.
And now practically every trunk line
railroad company has begun the in
~stallation of electricity on its lines, or
is making preparations to take this
step in the immediate future.
The New York Central railroad is
equipping its main line with an cleo
trio system to run trains from the
Grand Central station in New York up
into the state as far as Albany. AT a
recent meeting of the directors it was
decided to issue $15O,00O,000 additional
| stock to be used In extending their
lines in New York by electric roads.
The Pennsylvania railroad has for
some time operated electric trains on
its Long Island division, and this work
is now being constantly extended. The
same company recently made another
contract for the electrical equipment OF
It's line from Philadelphia to Atlantic
City. These lines, as is well known,
have heretofore been operated by some
of the finest trains that ever ran on
this continent, and at a speed not eX-
ceeded anywhere.
The New York, New Haven & Hart
ford recently contracted for 30 electric
locomotives to be installed on their
line between New York and Stamford,
Conn. They have already begun to
equip some of their main tracks eiec-
trically. The power house, where the
electric current is to be generated. is
we'll under way, and before long elec.
ric express trains will run on a regu,
lar daily schedule,
The Erie railroad Is the next rOaC
which will introduce electricity on par
of its main line, and once the start haE
been made there, the Gould roads vii
naturally fall into line.
The Grand Trunk line recently con,
tracted for electric power to operate
it's lines under the st. Clair river be-
tween Detroit and Windsor.
The Illinois Central railroad is max,
ing similar preparations for the intro.
ductton of electricity; indeed, there Is