The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-02-07
ELECTRICITY VS. STEAM.
POSSIBILITY OF MOTOR TAKING
 PLACE OF LOCOMOTIVE.

Favor of the More Modern System
 Improved Methods of Control of
 Traffic.
 The substitution of the electric mo- tor for the steam locomotive was dis cussed at the last meeting of the American Institute of Engineers in this city, by Lewis B. stillwell and Henry St. Clair Putnam, from different points of view. Managers and engi- neers of railways using steam are con- sidering the possibilities of electricity" say the authors. Naturally the pro- blem usually presents itself in refer ence to particular eases in which spec ial conditions emphasize the advanta- ges of electric traction; but point has been reached in the development of electric railway equipment where it is evident that no absolute and perma- nent limits beyond which the motor may not go can be fixed; and it is not unreasonable to consider the possibili- ties of the electric motor not only in passenger service, but also in freight service, not only in the operation of railway terminals, but also for the op- eration of railway divisions, and even for trunk lines. At the present time, what is needed is not prophecy, but facts, and particularly facts demon- strated by experience. A study of the relative advantages of steam and electric traction should rest as firmly as possible upon results attained in practical operation. Facts thus estab- lished and available to date are insuf- ficient to justify conclusions which in detail may not have to be modified, but it is believed that they are adequate to permit comparative studies leading to deductions, which, as a whole. may be relied upon"
 RELATIVE EARNING AND EXPEN-
 SEES.
 Concerning the proposition whether it will pay to electrify, the authors dis cuss the relative earnings and relative expenses involved, saying that the most important considera tions which affect gross earnings are frequency of service. speed, general comfort of pas sengers, safety, reliability of service, increased capacity of line, frequency of stops, and convenient establishment of feeder lines. In regard to frequency of service, the authors say: "The motor- driven, interurban car operating upon scores of lines in competition with steam railway service has convincingly demonstrated it's ability, not only to attract business from competing steam lines, but also to create new business. In almost every case where such com petition has been encountered by the steam railway, a large part, if not practically all of it's local passenger traffic has been lost. In comparing re- suits attained by the competing sys- tems in such cases, it is impossible, of course, to state in terms of precision how far frequency of service is respon- sible for the remarkable results ob- served, since to these results d number of other causes also contribute. But without attempting to differentiate be- tween these various factors, it is suffi- cient here to say that of the several causes contributing to the marked suc- cess of lines using electricity, the ope- ration of train units or of single cars upon close headway is recognized to be especially attractive. The advantages resulting from frequency of service be- come relatively less as the length of run is increased. It is recognized, however, that the operation of trains under close headway generally increas- es traffic, even where the haul is of considerable length"
 Arguments regarding speed are: "The possibilities of operating by elec- tricity at speeds exceeding the maxi mum which can be obtained safely in steam operation, owing to the elimina- tion of unbalanced reciprocating parts of the locomotive is well-known. It was strikingly illustrated in the Ber- lin-Zossen trials by the attainment of a speed exceeding one hundred and thirty miles an hour These tests de- monstrated the ability of electric equipment to operate at a sustained speed more than twice as great as that of our fastest express trains on runs of any considerable length, and exceeding by about fifty per cent the maximum which can be attained even for short distance by the steam locomotive with a reasonable degree of safety Even at speeds at which steam locomotives may be operated without great danger of leaving the track, as a result of the effect of unbalanced reciprocating parts, electric engines are far better able to maintain speed while drawing heavy trains. At speeds of eighty or ninety miles an hour, for example, it is extremely difficult to operate with satisfactory results two steam loeomo- tiyes at the head of the train; while multiple-unit control places any neces- sary number of locomotive units abso- lutely and instantly responsive to the will and touch of a single operator. At high speeds, also, the economy of the steam locomotive falls off rapidly, while that of it's competitor remains practically constant"
 MORE COMFORT FOR P,ASSEN-
 GERS.
 Regarding the general comfort of passengers the argument is; "The great advantages of electric traction in respect to comfort of passengers are well known. Cleanliness and improved ventilation made possible by the elimi- nation of smoke and cinders; lighting practically without heat and at low cost by a system which makes it easy to place lamps in any desired location