Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-22
LOCOMOTIVE IS
BEING DISPLACED
PROGRESS OF ELECTRIC MOTOR
IN TAKING sTEAM's PLACE.
BUILDING IN MANY PLACES
Change VIII First Occur In Passenger
Traffic as Locomotive Traction Is
Still the Cheaper Method Of Haul
Ing Freiaht-Es& Of Cleaner Cities
Now on Its Way.

Philadelphia Press.-Electrifcation
of steam railroads, which was halted
by the acute state OF the money mar
ket. is likely TO proceed again on q
grand scale st the first favorable OPP
portunity. The change from steam TO
electric power seems certain to be by
far the most important railroad de-
yelopment In the next five years. The
transition will really mark new age
In transportation facilities, as 1t viii
aso fix an epoch in the advance from
one mechanical appliance in world
wide use 10 another and better one.
It has been announced that the
Pennsylvania, which invariably leads
in all great railroad works. will soon
begin to eleetrify its main line. Much
has already been done by various
companies In different parts OF the
United States and in Europe, but a
cont smpla,cd change in the leading
trunk line of America is a matter OF
very profound interest.
The Pennsylvania has now in sue
cessful operation line about sixty
miles long, from Camden TO Atlantic
City. Trains of six or eight cara are
regularly run over this road at high
speed. The New Haven & Hartford
has been engaged in big enterprise
electrifying its system from New
York to Stamford. Com. The New
York Central has done a similar work
on its main line for a considerable
distance UP the Hudson. The South
ern Pacific is about to electrify its
terminal at Oakland. Cal. But in Ger
many more progress has been made
in this direction than In the United
States. Great Britain is also Witness
ing gradual change from steam to
electricity.
Conditions are more favorable for
electric trains in Europe than In
America. for the reason that popula-
ton is denser and stops are more
frequent. II is far easier to start and
stop an electric train than a steam
hauled train, so that electricity is par
ticularly desirable in suburban dis
tricts. where stations are close to-
gether. or in populous community
where frequent stops are. necessary.
The New York Central made a ser
les of elaborate tests to determine the
relative merits OF a steam locomotive
aud an electric motor. u was proved
to the satisfaction Of the officials that
the locomotive is still the more eff
Client of the two when hitched to q
heavy freight train that travels
slowly. But for high speed and for
efficiency in making quick stops and
starts the motor wins. So far as cleo
trio development has now proceeded,
1t would appear that 1t win be con-
fined TO passenger trains for some
time to come. The locomotive is still
the more economical engine to move
freight
II has been estimated that 1t would
take five years of time and $4,000. O00,-
600 OF money TO substitute electric
power on all the railroads OF the
United States. This Is equal to a
sixth of their present capitalization.
While such an expenditure may seem
appalling, 1t win not deter the rail-
road managers when convinced that
the change will aid in the more eco
nomical operation OF their properties
and when they can ge' the necessary
capital
Whatever else Is tr!e. it is certain
that in a very few years no obnox-
ious, smoke-puffing locomotives win
be permitted to enter any large city.
Some towns have already placed
ban upon them as a nuisance since
electric power has beon made feasible.
When economy, cleanliness and speed
all unite In favor OF electriacatiof,
the locomotive win have TO give up
its work after threc-quarters Of CEN
fury IN which the worlds material
development has exceeded that in
thousand years preceding.