Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 137, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1915 — MAKES TRIAL OF ELECTRICITY [ARTICLE]

MAKES TRIAL OF ELECTRICITY

Western Railroad Is to Have Test That Will Determine Important Matter of Economy. The practicability of substituting electricity for steam upon large railroads is being demonstrated by tha Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul rail* road. This company is preparing now’ to use electric power on its entire road from Harlowton, Mont., to the Pacific coast —a distance of 830 miles. The contracts have already been let for electric locomotives, substation apparatus, and line material for 113 miles of the main line from Three Forks, Mont, to Deer Lodge, Mont, and the first of four engine divisions from Harlowton to Avery. This will amount’to nearly 650 miles of track, including yards and siding. It is the first attempt to install and operate electric locomotives on tracks extending over several engine divisions. A few other Installations have been made in different parts of the country for local reasons. This change is being made for purely economic reasons in the belief that electricity will not only be less expensive than steam, but will also eliminate smoke and make the service mdre popular. The electric locomotives to be used will weigh 240 tons each and will have a capacity for work greater than that of any steam or electric locomotive yet constructed in any part of the world. Each passenger locomotive will be capable of hauling an 800-ton train at a speed of sixty miles an hour.