Rail-less Electric Traction.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 13, 28 September 1910, Page 6

Rail-less Electric Traction.

Some interesting information regarding rail-less electric traction systems has been supplied to the members of the Christchurch Tramway Board by Mr. D. Sykes, a member of the Board, who is at present on a visit to the Old Country. I'he information is embodied in a copy of the report of the deputation from the city of Bradford that recently visited the Continent to inspect the systems installed then* that are run without rails. The rail-less system of traction which is being developed in Italy under the name of “Filovia” has been found io be of considerable utility to the public. The first line of this system was installed in 1904, and since that date a number of lines have been put in. totalling well over 50 miles in different parts of the country, and are in regular daily use. As a proof of the non-experimental character ami stability of the rail-less trolley system in Italy, it is interesting to know that the Italian Government has decided to grant a subsidy of £6O a year for each mile of lino equipped on the rail less system in districts not provided with railway or tramway services. From figures supplied it appears that the energy consumed per ton mile is about the same* as that consumed on a tramcar. This is somewhat surprising, as it might be expected that the tractive effort of rubber tyres on an ordinary roadway would bo much in excess of that of a tramway line. The explanation, however, is probably to be found in the fact that more modern motors of greater efficiency than the old type of tramway motor are in use, and to the use of rubber tyres; in addition to the freedom of each driven wheel to take its ow n course, w hen rounding curves, by means of a very excellent electrical differential. The steering ami control of the car are quite as good, if not b.ettef than the control of an ordinary petrol vehicle, of similar dimensions. The deputation was very favourably impressed with this particular system of rail-less trolley for heavy routes, ami was strongly of opinion that it was no speculative experiment, hut a good engineering proposition, and capable of considerable utilisation.