Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-11-11
ihree Thousand Volt Dircct-Currcnt
Electric Locomotives.

NUM-, anu avery, Idaho In cOnnec-
ton with its through service between
Chicago, Milwaukee, st. Paul. Mime
apolis and the Pacific north coast.
discloses many interesting features.
Harlowton is 4.163 feet above sea
level. while Avery is at an elevation
OF 2,494 feet. Two mountain ranges
of $500 and 500 feet respectively.
are crossed by this section of the
railroad
Although the railway placed its
initial order for the Necessary equip
ment only in September, 1914, it is
announced that the electric locomot-
ives will enter active work some time
this month. The overhead construc-
ton. which will include $50 miles of
single track. has been completed for
distance of more than 200 miles.
The 100000 volt transmission line
which is being erected to parallel the
electrified tracks has been completed
for an equal distance. while the tie
in lines from the 100000 volt system
OF the Montana Power Company are
ready for service. The trackage now
available for train operation includes
extensive yards and sidings at Three
Forks, Deer Lodge and Piedmont,
and passing tracks at other points.
The rail bonding crews have followed
the overhead construction gangs,
completing the ground circuits.
While the electric locomotives are
undoubtedly the most interesting
feature OF the electrification, never
theless a few facts concerning the
trolley construction and transmission
lines are worthy OF note.
Wooden poles are used through
out the system. both for cross span
and bracket construction. The twin
No. OOOO trolley wires are suspend
ed individually and separately from
the same steel catenary, and the
hangers OF one trolley wire are To-
Gated at points mid span on the 9TH
err In the switching yards only one
trolley wire is used.
The current for operating the loco
motives on the opening stretch of
the electrified railroad is derived
from Montana water power This
current is sent over the transmits
sion line at a potential OF 100000
/ volts TO the seven substations design
ed to supply power TO the first halt
OF the 440 miles OF route. The sub
stations transform the 1000 volt
three phase alternating current into
5000 vole direct current through
the agency OF step down transform
ers and rotary conyerters.
The initial number OF electric loo
omotives for the railroad will be AZ
OF which II will be geared for pas
senger service and 80 for freight
The locomotives are said to be thu
most powerful ever built and have
continuous capacity greater thai
that OF any steam OF electric loco
motive in existence. Although eacl
locomotive weighs but "a per cent a
much as a combined Mallet steam
engine and tender, which II is re
placing. II has a tonnage rating o
23.5 per cent greater and spec
with drag tonnage of approximatel
57.5 to 96.S per cent greater thal
the latter.
The electric locomotives are eac
112 feet s inches long and In realit
comprise two distinct machine
permanently coupled together an
used as a single unit. The capacit
Of one locomotive is rated at 3,44
horse power; the entire tractive Ell
fort being brought to bear on eigh
drive wheels. each 81 inches In q
ameter. In order to save the tra'
from wear and tear by minimum
tho vertical and horizontal blow
the grive wheels are fitted with sci
srate motors. individually twin-geal
ed to each OF eight pairs OF driver
Perhaps the most important fea
IRE of the new locomotives is the
are the first direct-current engine
TO operate on potential as high
3.OO0 volts. Furthermore. on dow
grades the locomotive controls II
train by reversing the current whio
changes the motors into generator
. and sends back into the line apo'
40 per cent Of the energy used
baulng the train up the grade. Tn
results In a uniform speed on o
down grades and makes 1t unnece
sarv to resort to the air brakes e
cent In cases of emergency. Not on
is the train more uniformly contro
led by this method, but all dang
from worn break shoes or overheat'
, wheels is eliminated, not to menti'
the direct economy effected.
The electric locomotives opera
NJ their best efficiency In the colde
weather-quite the opposite to stea
locomotives with which trouble Is