The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-15
ELECTRICITY VS.. STEAM.
Railroads Preparing to Spend $500 900 900
for Changes in Motive Power.

Tor In MOtlYo ROVER
VIII the electric railway motor supplant
the steam looomodveP This Is q question
which has been frequently asked in the last
few years and has been answered only by
conjecture. Now there are sufficient facts
at hand to demonstrate that the struggle
which has been going on between electricity
and steam is approaching a climax.
When the electric motor pulled the first
street car successfully through the streets
Of Richmond, Va, In 1883 many enthusiasts
on the subject Of electric railway propul-
sion hailed this event as the death knell
Of the steam locomotive. OF course these
p~rophesies were somewhat premature.
Nevertheless the electric railway has
steadily advanced IN development.
From propelling originally the street car
In the larger cities, electric power be-
came afterward the motive foroe Of the
suburban line, then Of the interurban line.
and Of late there have been many electric
roads built 10 parallel the steam lines,
until now the electric road in many cases
10 Q competitor OF the steam road and q
dangerous one. While the street car
motor when 1t was first introduced had a
capacity Of Is horsepower only, motors are
now being built up TO 400 or 800 horse
power.
Every year since 1883 has witnessed new
developments and new triumphs for cleo
trioity, and as every new electrical triumph
meant another enoroachment upon the
steam locomotive, at last the railroad
com panies were forced TO take notice.
The number Of electric roads grew enor-
mously and wherever they appeared in
-x--zAuA~ .,th tha afaaya roa de m ha
lers Of local or suburban freight the steam
road was driven to the woods. What
has been the result? Practically every
trunk limo railroad company has already
begun the installation Of electricity on its
ines or is making preparations to a X this
step In the immediate future.
The New York Central railroad Is equip
ping Ito main line with an electric system
to run trains from the Grand Central station
York as far as Albany. At q recent meet
ing of the directors 1t was decided TO issue
$3.50, 900, 900 additional stock, to be used
in extending their lines In New York by
electric roads.
Tho 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 Its line from Phila-
0GlDDla JO AIualIl NlIY.
On these linee ha We heretofore been run
come Of the finest trains that ever ran on
this continent ard at a speed not exceeded
anywhere. In the face Of this. the company
is now engaged in the aban donment Of the
steam system and Is substituting cleo
The New York, New Haven and Hartford
recently contracted for thirty electric
locomotives to be in stalled on the line be-
tween New York city and Stamford. The
-. z1~ao Lev ha nt,n To f,tNin anna
of its main tracks electrically. The power
house, where the electric current is to be
generated, is we'll urd der wa and before
long electric express trains will run on a
regular daily schedule. ,.,
The Erie Railroad is the mex road which
will introduce electricity on part Of its
main lire, and, once the start has been
made there, tho Gould roads will naturally
fall into line.
The Grand Trunk line recently con-
lines under the st. Clair River between
Detroit and Windsor.
The illinois Central Railroad Is making
similar preparations for the introduction
Of electricity.
ira We lling public will derive beneft from
the chan &c. The operation Of electric
trains being cheaper, there will be many
more trains and thus Increased accom-:
modetlons, The electric locomotive VIII
dirt, no cinders; neither will the operation
Of the road be % noisy.
Apart from the effects which this chan go
will produce upon the future method Of
railroad transportation, the immediate re-
suits are worthy Of con side ration. There
are the large amounts Of money that will
be spent to effect this change. AT a con-
eervative estimate, there Is now about
$500 900, 900 appropriated by the various
railroad companies throughout this coun-
try to be used In the purchase Of electrical
ma Culinary.