BRITISH ELECTRIC BATTERY LOCOMOTIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16406, 3 April 1919, Page 5

BRITISH ELECTRIC BATTERY LOCOMOTIVES.

Extensive use is being made in Great Britain of electric battery locomotives in factories, goods yards, and other places where a considerable amount of shunting has to be done. The Ministry of Munitions ordered a largo number of these machines for expediting the handling of largo quantities of materials in Government works. There are many objections to the use of steam locomotives in or near factories; the noise and the emission of steam and smoke are the chief drawbacks. Where explosive or inflammable goods are stored there is also the danger of fire. Further, 'a steam locomotive is using power even when it is idle, and it involves a lot of time and trouble in connection with coal, water, and the disposal of ashes. The electric battery locomotive cuts out all these faults and dangers. Its equipment consists simply of secondary cells, controllers, and driving motors. The cells are charged during the idle night hours, so that the loco is ready for work in the morning. It runs quietly and can bo easily driven by an ordinary workman after a short training. As it can be built with a very short base it can negotiate sharp curves with ease. The designs produced by British engineers have proved so successful that a large development of this mode of point-to-point haulage is expected.