The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-06-20
D. H. PARKER
SPEED, NORTH CAROLINA.

In FEBRUARY 1888, and was essentially
the overhead trolley system now used,
comprised eleven miles of track. had
thirty cars operating in July, 1888, and
has been in continuous and successful
operation ever SINCE
The phenomenal development and
growth Of electric street railway trac-
ton revolutionized not only city, but
also suburban and interurban transpor-
| tation. From 1890 up to the present.
the mileage has steadily increased 1T
the average Of about 5000 miles per
year. In the development and improve
ment of motors and other apparatus e;s-
sentlal to electric traction, the General
Electric Company has figured with
marked prominence. In 1895 electric
railway equipment reached what might
be considered a staple basis, Of design.
Fundamental features, such as the en-
closed motor, carbon brushes, series
drnm winding, single reduction gear
ing, magnetic controller and the under
running trolley had then become estab-
hshd. There were in service at this
time approximately $4,000 motor cars
equipped with about half million
horse power Of motors. A great many
of the pioneer car motors were to small
for the work, because early designers
did not appreciate the amount Of pow
er required to accelerate car. In
1895 the average rating of railway mo-
tor cars was 25 horse power Other
forms of street railway propulsion grad
ually disappeared until about 1900 when
electric operation was practically SUI
preme. There then existed some 10000
miles of electric railways. From 1900
to 1910 the electric railway extended
rapidly to suburban and interur ban
transportation. Coincident with this
development there was tremendous in
crease in the size and weight of cars.
The average horse power of railway
motors increased from 35 horse power
in 1900 to 60 horse power in 1910, and
large interurban cars were equipped
with four motors, while city cars gen
orally were equipped with two.
This increase in power brought about
great improvements in controlling ap-
paratus. The General Electric Company
developed the multiple unit control for
the operation of cars in train on ele-
waited and subway lines, interurban
roads and later for regular surface cars.
With the simplification of control were
also introduced forced motor ventilation
reduction in the weight Of motor equip
ments and increase in efficiency, i'm
provement in communication and intro
duction of communicating poles, perfec-
ton Of air ;'rake apparatus, introduc
ton of field control, etc.
Since thai early morning, twenty
glided over the rails in the streets of
Richmond, motors have been brought
to such point of perfection that cleo
tric cars are rapidly encroaching on
the steam engine and threaten to take
its plac@ entirely in few years. The
principles which Sprague used in the
construction Of the first car and power
line are about the same as in actual use
today He invented the overhead troll
ley; his motors were geared to the car
wheels and his system of control was
nearly the same as in the modern cars.
Miraculous, indeed, has been the
growth of the street railway systems
since 1883. Today there are nearly
so, 900 miles of street and electric rail
ways in the United States, carrying
more than five billions Of people annual
4y. From the tiny cars constructed ac-
cording to Sprague's plans twenty
years ago the cars have grown to be
models of comfort and convenience.
Some Of the best interurban lines boast
of electric cars rivaling the beauties
and comforts Of the Pullmans. In the
middle west some of the longest electric
lines maintain sleeping, dining and even
cold storage, freight, express milk and
mail cars.
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