Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 247, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1915 — TO DO AWAY WITH STEAM [ARTICLE]

TO DO AWAY WITH STEAM

Electric "Juice,'* Instead of Coal, la Planned to Haul Trains in the West. With Chicago, Boston, and several other large cities of the country discussing the electrification of the railways entering the cities with a view of eliminating a large part of the smoke nuisance problems, and the railroad saying It cannot be done because of the excessive cost, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad is preparing to electrify its road' from Harlowton, Mont., to the Pacific coast, a distance of 850 miles, not because of the smoke from its engines, but as a matter of economy. As federal engineers’ investigations into the most efficient uses of the natural resources of the country have led them to suggest the electrification of the railways, the power to be supplied from the rivers and from plants located at the coal they are much interested in the news that comes from the West concerning this railway. Plans have already been completed and contracts let for the electric locomotives, substation apparatus and line material for 113 miles of the main line from Three

Forks, Mont., to Deer Lodge, the first of four engine divisions from Harlowton, Mont., to Avery, Mont., aggregating about 650 miles of track, including yards and sidings. While this comprises the extent of track to be equipped in the near future, it is understood that plans are being made for the electrification of 850 miles should the operating results of the initial installation prove as satisfactory as anticipated. This is said to be the first attempt to install and opeiyte electric locomotives on tracks extending over several engine divisions. The various other throughout the country have usually been made because of local conditions, but it is understood that the electrification of this road has been undertaken purely on economic grounds, with the expectation that superior operating results with electric locomotives will effect a sufficient reduction from the present cost of steam operation to yield an adequate return on the large investment required. The power will be obtained from various rivers along the route. _____ The electric locomotives to be used will weigh approximately 260 tons, and have a continuous capacity greater than any steam or electric locomotive yet constructed. The passenger locomotives will be capable of hauling an 800-ton train at a speed of 60 miles an hour, and will be equipped with an oil-fired steam heating apparatus for the cars. When the four engine divisions are completed, it is the intention to combine them into two divisions of 220 mile lengths, changing crews, however, at the present division points. As the electric locomotive needs inspection only after a run of about 2,000 miles, no stops for taking on coal or water, or lay-over due to dumping ashes, cleaning boilers, or petty roundhouse repairs, it may be expected that the use of these locomotives will result in considerable change in the method of hauling trains now limited by the restrictions of the steam engine.—Washington St*.