The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-13
MAKES
70 MILES AN
HOUR
Huge Electric Locomotive,
a New PennSy Type,
Best Yet Developed.

EAST PITTSBURG. July 13.-Making
no noise n without even the vibra-
ton felt when riding in a motor car,
the giant electric locomotive-the joint
work of the electrical engineers of the
Westinghouse Company n the Penn
s%ylvanla Railroad-of the type under
consideration for the operation of
trains at the Manhattan terminal of the
Pennsylvania system and through the
North and East River tunnels. was
tested yesterday.
The tests were the first TO be made
In public. Although a track which was
a mere succession of curves was used,
the high speed of seventy miles an
hour was reached. In private tests, the
engineers say, a speed of more than
ninety miles an hour has been attained.
While going at it's greatest speed the
huge locomotive vas steady, the rock
Ing and swinging from side to side so
noticeable on steam locomotives when
running at high speed, being absent.
BY mechanical devices the heavy mo-
tors are suspended from the frame Of
the locomotive in C a way that they
swing as II in a cradle. relieving the
machine of all jarring.
In the opinion of electrical engineers,
the new locomotive not only represents
the best type so far attained, but is
the most remarkable demonstration OF
single phase or alternating current for
the electrifcation of steam railroads.
The new locomotive gets its current
from the overhead trolley. Heretofore
all electric locomotives have been OPP
Grated by direct current received from
an electrified third rail.
The development of the alternating
current has been very rapid. A few
years ago 1t was not believed possible.
The Importance of using the alterna-
ting current lies in the fact that 1t may
be furnished by all power-houses, while
in other systems-the trolley, suburban
and light traction problem-the current
must be transformed into the direct.
This is an expensive process because of
the high cost of the apparatus.
When the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company wal confronted with the prob
lem of the identification of its termi-
nails In New York city and h hauling
of trains through its tunnels, Its chief
engineer of electric traction. George
Gibbs. began work in conjunction with
the Westinghouse engineers. Other
great concerns were consulted, but the
most promising experiments were al
the Westinghouse works. At the begin
ming It was shown hat the Pennsyl-
vania Company at its New York ter
minals would require locomotives OF
greater power than ever before con-
structed, either steam or electric.
t. -,on c1Avtn tlot In Paophipn tbs
street levels from its tunnels a grade
equal to the steepest mountain grade
would have to be overcome, and also
that locomotives capable of quick han
ding and hauling the heaviest trains a
high speed would be required.
The experiments have been In prog
ress at the Westinghouse works now
for almost five years. The locomotive
tested today is capable of developing
4,000-horsepower, while the highest OBJ
tanned from steam is about 1,500-horse-
power. On grades the electric locomo-
tive has been shown to work even bet
ter than steam m to be its superior In
the quick handling of heavy trains.
The electric locomotive weighs prac-
tically the same as the newest type OF
steam engine. 1t is estimated that the
Pennsylvania Company will need not
fewer than forty of them. Although
the initial cost of the electric locomotive
is about twice that of h steam loco
motive. the operating cost Is less, il
does more work and only a small out
lay is necessary for repairs. 1t Is said
that the electric locomotive will haul a
heavier train up a sleeper grade with
less energy expended than a steam To-
connective, and also h a In holding a
heavy train going down grade 1t will
generate power which will go back into
the trolley line and may be utilized by
another locomotive.
The tests of the locomotive were
made on a track about five miles in
length. hardly n hundred yards OF
which Is straight.