The Washington herald., 1908-02-08

With a party Of thirty on board, motor
car No. 90 made the initial trip over the
route of the Washington. Baltimore and
Annapolis Electric Railway yesterday.
| Scientists. civil engineers. railroad Off
cials. and newspaper men were the pas
/ sengers.
Leaving Baltimore at II O'Clock, the
palatial car proceeded slowly to Academy
Junction. allowing the engineers on board
to investigate the workings of the motors
and inspect the grade of the tracks.
Repair shops Visited.
At Academy Junction a stop was made
The party was conducted through the re-
pair shops and substation located at that
place.
In these fireproof repair shops besides
many cars being fitted up for service,
there IS an immense travelling crane, the
power OF which was demonstrated by hav-
ing it draw a freight car from one ex-
tremity Of the building TO another.
Here are four transformers of 500 lIilo-
watts each. used to distribute electric
power supplied by the Potomac Electric
Power Company of this city In this sub
station there are also two boilers OF
.seventy-hve horse power each. which
supply compressed air and water to mo-
tors that generate electricity to various
points of the yards
Fast Time to Annapolis.
After a thorough inspection of the work
shops and yards of the new line, the
party again boarded the car and was
rushed TO Annapolis in fast time In the
Maryland capital a crowd gathered around
the coach and expressed surprise al see
ing, at last, an up-to-date electric car.
The new electric line enters Annapolis
over the old road of the Annapolis, Wash
ington and Baltimore line. one Of the
oldest steam roads of the country. now
electrified.
After a visit TO the United States Naval
Academy and the old State house. the
party Te-embaTkcd. Leaving Annapolis at
e O'clock. the trip was made to Washing
ton slowly 10 permit further inspection Of
the workings of the running gear and
motors. At times the train was speeded
along at highest velocity, and convinced
those on board that speed Of sixty miles
an hour may be made upon level ground
Dinner at New willard.
Upon arrival in Washington. the party
was conducted 10 the New Willard. and
was the guest of the company at din
ner
Although other roads maintain a rapid
schedule between Washington and Balti-
more the new ENTERPRISE, besides running
through trains between these cities. also
connects with Annapolis and other inter
mediete points along the route, enabling
country dwellers to reach either Baltimore
or Washington in a comparatively short
time
The main line of the new company
runs from the retail center of Baltimore
to Fifteenth and II streets northeast. this
city. and is double-tTacked throughout At
Fifteenth and II streets northeast trans
fers viii be given, to convey passengers
20 the Treasury building.
Description of Road and stock.
over thirty-fve grade crossings have
been eliminated by the engineers. Roberts
& Abbott Company. of Cleveland. Ohio.
There is but one crossing along the whole
line, at Pumphrey Station, short dis
tance from Baltimore.
The cars are handsome. and OF the
newest design. They are sixty-two
feet long. and seat comfortably seventy
five TO eighty passengers. Each car is
equipped with four motors of 10 horse
power each, and has a separate cOmpart-
ment for switches and electric appliances.
Telephone booths viii be installed all
along the road, connecting with a central
point. from which orders will be issued
for running trains. Each employe will be
provided with a watch that will be regu-
larly inspected by an official of the road
The fare from this city to Baltimore will
be - cents one way and $1.2J the round
trip.