Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1914 — MEET NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY [ARTICLE]

MEET NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY

American Electric Locomotives Differ From European on Account of Business Reasons. It has often been remarked by Americans that European electric locomotives are built like watches, and the regret is implied that similar refinement in workmanship is not to be expected of the American mecahnic. This to a certain extent is true. The design, construction and repairs of locomotives in this country have assumed simplicity as a keynote. In this country it is a rule that the needs of economical operation are best conserved when the locomotive mileage is kept high, and this in turn means long intervals between overhauling in the shop together with the minimum of tinkering between trips. Parts so designed as to require extraordinary care and skill in fitting are not likely to survive either the heavy stress or the rapid wear of railway service, and a construction which involves their use should be changed in preference to the alernative of keeping the engine out of service while delicate adjustments are being made. — Electrit Railway Journal.