The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-04
RAILROAD NEWS.
Lines Tapping Southwest
Forced to Engage Power.
Traffic So Heavy as to Necessi-
tate Renting of Locomotives.
/ CONGESTION ALREADY
This Years Tonnage Will Make
New High Record.
Other Items of Interest to
Railway People.
CONGESTION ALREADY

Notwithstanding the purchasing of
hundreds of new locomotives. resulting
tin an exceptionally high percentage of
increase in motive power, the south
western railroads find themselves. prac
rically a the beginning of the busy sea
son almost unable to take care of the
enormous volume OF traffic In order
to relieve the situation. several of the
southwestern lines have engaged loco
motives, temporarily from other sys-
tens.
In the past week the southwestern
roaos have confronted another freight
congestion To prevent a recurrence of
the serious difficulties which were en-
countered year ago. il became neces-
sary 70 concentrate the efforts of oper-
atlng departments on several import
ant cenCerS and get the freight moved.
While road and track conditions con-
tribute to the problem of handling
ireigTt sxpeditiously. the chief cause is
the remarkable and continuous growth
OF business The new locomotives are
heavier and more powerful than the old
and they cannot be used on some parts
OF the lines. ewing to the weight of
crossings and other structures If they
couIo De operated safely everywhere.
transportation would be directed with
less embarrassment: but. even so, the
operating departments would be bur-
oeued with work
IN anticipation of greater traffic, the
southwestern lines gave large orders
for new cars and locomotives. for de-
HFery this year. so that they could be
put IN commission during the autumn
and winter. The lines also spent con-
Siderable money in replacing the light
structures with others heavy enough
for all kinds Of traffic The additions
! to equipment and the reconstruction of
crossings, with other improvements.
we're in accord with the expected ton
mage.
But. although the roads have increas-
ed their freight tonnage capacity about
40 per cent and their motive power as
much, and although they have made
improvements on all divisions the in
crease IN traffic appears to exceed their
preparations The freight tonnage sur
passes all expectations.
The southwestern lines are arranging
TO make extensive and costly improve
menrs. Double and passing track will
be laid, terminal facilities will be en-
larged. and new, heavier crossings will
be constructed These improvements
are deemed to be necessary for provid-
ing facilities to handle freight with
comparative ease and Dispatch This
seasons traffic indicates that even adj
ditiCnaI locomotives and cars may have
TO be ordered
Railroad officials had been anticfpat-
ing that this seasons traffic would be
just about as heavy as last autumn's.
They express the opinion now that this
years tonnage Will make a new high
record Had the roads not ordered so
many cars and locomotives there would
be reason to fear. this early in the sea-
son. a freight congestion
B. F. Yoakuru seems to have describ-
ed conditions accurately several months
ago He said that the southwest is
developing so rapidly that the rail-
roads cannot build branches and ex-
tensions. increase their motive power
and equipment and make improvements
no matter how hard they try or how
much money they spend. to keep up
with the growth of the traffic.