75 Years Ago In Railway Age - Brief Article

Railway Age, Oct, 1999

(October 1924)

ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES

An important development in the electrification of steam railroads is that recently announced for the Detroit & Ironton. As usual, Mr. Ford has not been restricted by past practice in choice of electrical system and type of motive power units for his road. The result has been the adoption of a trolley voltage of 22,000 volts, 25 cycles, alternating current, a voltage twice as high as any previously used. Mechanical parts are being built by Ford Motor Co. while electrical equipment is being built to Ford specifications by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. The initial order calls for a locomotive comprising two motive power units operated in multiple.

MAINTENANCE AT TERMINALS

An important development in handling locomotive maintenance work at engine terminals was instituted by Union Pacific. The plan developed is the provision of specialized gangs to handle maintenance work on various classes of locomotives at regular intervals which are arranged on a 30-day basis. Many minor defects which might otherwise cause engine failures are corrected and the officers of Union Pacific credit this plan with a reduction of 60 per cent in freight locomotive failures and 47 per cent in passenger locomotive failures during a period of six months. The advantages are more reliable power, decreased cost of upkeep and an increased number of engine hours available for service.