World Leadership Attained in Field of Electricity

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 9 (Supplement)

World Leadership Attained in Field of Electricity

BERNE. —The Swiss have shown their enterprise by electrifying their railways during a time when most European countries are still experimenting with this system or are introducing it piecemeal. The advantages of electric traction are indisputable. Everything is clean and smooth-run-ning, and one can look out of the open window at the scenery without being bothered by smoke or grit. More than 70 per cent of the railways are already electrified. But this means much more in reality, for the sections which still remain to be electrified are comparatively little used. So that it is computed that at least 90 per cent of traffic in Switzerland passes over electrified railroads. Water Accumulates in Lake Although the World War cut Swit zerland off from the world and more than doubled the actual cost of the electrification, the whole line from Basel to (Jliiasso, near Como, Italy, was operated by electricity from Swiss water power by 1924. The line is operated by two large power stations complementary to each other, one of which is used in the summer and the other in the winter. The 130-niile-long Simplon line is provided with power in the same way. Two power stations share the work, water being allowed to accumulate in a special mountain lake for six mouths, during which the high seasonal watcr- | flow of the Eau Noire is harnessed to i provide the power. In the months of slack water on the river the accumulation in the lake is converted into power. Larger Load Capacity The four power stations of the Simplon aud St. Gotthard lines are connected by a transmission line which runs across the whole of central Switzerland. Electrification Las meant increased speed, increased carrying capacity and increased comfort. Electric locomotives of 108 tons each can haul 300 ton train over the 137 miles from Lucerno to C'hiasso, on the St. Gotthard line three times in 24 hours. Two giant locomotives, each 111 feet in length, have been in service on the line since 1932. They eau haul trains of 750 tons up the steep gradients of the mountain line at a speed of 30 miles an hour. With 600 ton trains they can "ucrease the pace to 40 miles an hour.