Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1921-10-06
FWD RAILWAY
BUSINESS
INCREASES
48 TRUCKS NOW IN FIELD OF
NEW USEFULNESS
(From Clintonville Gazette)

(From Clintonville Gazette)
The number of Clintonvilles prem
ier truck, the FWD, in service as mo-
tive power on steel rails, is steadily
increasing There are now forty
eight trucks of this make in practi-
cal operation in this new field, and
the surface of the market has not
yet been scratched Railroad men and
street car men all over the country
are becoming interested in the pio-
neer work which Clintonville's big
factory is doing along this line, un-
thought of only short time ago.
The railroads today face a situa-
ton which possibly means a revolu-
tion in motive power for short hauls
within the next few years. The truck
been steadily winning business away
from the railroads, and they have
done this against the heavy handicap
cap of poor system of highways.
The fact that this highway system
is being steadily improved, that thou
sands of miles of broad concrete
roads are being built annually in
this country, is making the problem
all the more serious. The question is:
When the concrete road parallels
practically every railroad in the
country, what are the railroads go
ing to do?
The railroad has many advantages.
They have their own exclusive high
way laid with steel rails to reduce
friction and facilitate speed and safe
ty, yet they are steadily losing out
in the competition for business to
the truck. The truck has no exclus-
i've highway to travel on. 1t has to
pillow through mud and sand in places
and take it's chances of delay in meet
ing the problems of congested traf-
fic on the way. But in spite of the
handicaps it has been steadily Win
ming business away from the rail
road and street car companies. Not
only in freight but also in passenger
business is it steadily making it's
mark. In some cities, like Des Moines
for example, it has practically put
the street cars out of business. Some
one asks why and the answer is:
Greater Economy of Operation. To
move train or street car means
lot Of money. The tremendous over
head in locomotives, in overhead troll
ley systems, in expensive help, are
burdens which the railroad and street
car lines must carry If they expect
to stay in the game on sound foot
ing. The writer was at meeting of
city officials a year ago when the rep
resentative of a Wisconsin city stat
ed that the street car system, tracks,
cars and all had been offered for sale
to the city for one dollar. The COM
pany realized that under the present
system it had white elephant ON it's
hands and it was trying to unload the
burden which was heading it for the
bankruptcy courts. Brick can be
hauled from New London by truck,
3ver bad roads, cheaper than the cost
of railroad transportation. What
could it do with cement roads all the
way?
The above are some of the reasons
why railroad and street car men have
more than passing interest in the
experiment. in which the FWD is pio-
neering the way-economy in motive
power by applying the truck to the
steel rails. Operating on poor roads
and using expensive rubber tires the
truck has proved itself because of e.
economy of operation. Operating on
steel rails, with no tires to puncture
and the traffic problem greatly simp-
lifted by the use of an exclusive high
way, why should not the truck be-
cause of its peculiar APPLICATION of its
motive power, be success?
We are living in an age of rapid
evolution and great changes. Econ
omy in transportation is vital to the
welfare of any country. 1t will be
interesting to watch the develop
ments in the next few years.