Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-01-15
OVER The ROCKIES THRU
IDAHO BY ELECTRICITY
Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul to Electrify $50
Miles OF Its Road in Idaho and Montana
at Cost of Fifteen Million Dollars.

AH0I Iue lTenQ OF Cno time is to-
wards the electrifcation of all steam
railroads is evidenced by the an
nouncement that definite plans have
been completed and contracts signed
for the operation of 11S route miles
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. |
Paul railway by electric power.
The turbulent rivers of Idaho and
Montana are to be yoked to power
full turbine water wheels and huge
electrical generators. The electrical
power generated in this way will be
transmitted for long distance across
country to the railroad, where it
will take the place of steam in haul
ing passengers and freight trains
over the mountains.
The initial electrifcation will ex-
tend between Deer Lodge and Three
Forks, Montana, distance of 113
route miles, and corresponding to
168 miles of single track when sid
ings and yards are included. The
field force for this extensive works
has already been organized and it is
promised that the first electric loco
motive will be hauling trains by Oct.
l, 1915. This 113 mile section of
the road will be the first Of the en-
CINE divisions to be electrified, as
the ultimate project includes the
electriication of four divisions, ex-
tending from Harlowton, Mont, on
the east, through Three Forks and
Deer Lodge to Avery, Idaho, on the
west, a total main line distance OF
44O route miles aggregating approx
imately $50 miles of track including
yards and sidings. It is planned to
electrify the remaining divisions be-
tween HarloWton and Three Forks
and between Deer Lodge and Avery
the entire project will be completed
in 1918. All this work involves thu
expenditure of $13,000,000 to Sl5,
100000 and the electrical construc
tion work will proceed at the rate o
about $2,OOO,O00 annually. Thi
program foreshadows the electrifica
tion of the entire road from Harlow
ton to the Pacific coast. mainlin
distance in the aggregate OF 90
miles.
This will be the most extensiV
railway electrification in the worl
and the first to employ as high a p'
tential as 5000 volts direct curren
The most powerful locomotives eve
built will be operated on its track
It will be the first main line tran
continental mountain grade electrii
cation, and the first undertaken
where entire engine districts al
comprehended. Contracts have bee
signed with the General Electr
company, of Schenectady. N. T., I
the electric locomotives, substau'
apparatus and the line material
Electricity is already in service
the terminals of large cities whe
frequent service under adverse 6
ditions is required; it is used
both passenger and freight serv
through long tunnels where
smoke and gases of steam locor
tives are dangerous; for passenl
and freight service over hei
mountain grades, where the Sue
locomotives are seriously handle
ped. With all these items IN m
IT must be remembered that this
stallation is radically different
cause it is really the first step
wards the electrifcatiOn Of trans
!, tinental systems.
The electrifcation Of this roa'
undertaken purely on econt
grounds with the expectation
superior operating results with
tric locomotives will effect a
cient reduction in the present
of steam operation to return an
tractive percentage on the larg
vestment required. # the antic
ed savings are realized in the ele
operation of the road this initii
stallation will constitute one OF
most important miiestOnes IN ele
railway progress, and it should
shadow large future developn
in heavy steam road eleetritics
The success Of electric operau'