Electrification of Railways.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 18, 16 October 1907, Page 4

Electrification of Railways.

VICTORIAN COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Mr. Tait, tho-Chief Commissioner for Victorian Railways, has presented his report on his enquiries in Europe and America into the- electrification of railways and other matters. ' ■ • - - - ■ '■' -,

.: As to the electrification ho belioves that some slight gain might be made on the shorter suburban lines; still, tho railways managed to hold their own with the' , cable tramways at present. ' Where'a gain .would- be 'more noticeable would be on the largor , suburban lines, where quicker, more comfort-' able, and possibly more frequent services could bo provided by the substitution of electricity. It must not bo overlooked, in considering tho effect of electrification on'traffic and tho gross revenue, that, compared with cities in America, Germany, and even England and Northern Italy,'there'was now, along'most of these linos', a suburban train service which, on the whole, for comfort'frequency, speed and regularity compared very favorably with tho suburban train service of any other' city in-the world, not-oyon excepting those'whore, some of tho lines had-been electrified. A factor which- had. an important bearing on the financial results' by electrification was tho extent to.which interest on tho cost of electrical rolling stock v>as fairly chargeable against costs • of- electrification. This consideration might havo an important influonco on ' the decision, as to tho advisability, from'.' 1 a' financial point of ■view, of electrifying .tho suburban lines. It was to bo regretted thiit tho financial results obtained'on lines as a result of their conversion to 'electric traction wore not readily available. Generally, sneaking, itho companies were not disposed to give, information of the kind.' ■''' . " Speaking of the engagement of. Mr. C. H. Merz, in 1 London, as consulting electrical engineer oil tho conversion of the Victorian suburban lines to electricity, the Commissioner says that Mr. Merz is to.be paid two thousand guineas and travelling expenses from London to Melbourne and return, and living "\-tvvses while in Melbourne, for a complote report.. ■ . ........