Discussion on “electrification of the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific railway” (Cox), Spokane, Wash., September 10, 1914. (see proceedings for November, 1914)

Paul Lebenbaum: This paper looms up as an oasis of facts in a desert of glittering generalities, and records a distinct step forward and upward in heavy railway electrification. It is unique in that it sets forth, not only facts, but actual figures on operating results, for a road that made the change from steam to electricity solely in order to obtain increased capacity and greater economy in operation. Most, if not all, of the heavy electrification has been done for the purpose of overcoming an operating condition for which steam was unsuited, such as the New York terminal electrifications, the work of the Great Northern at the Cascade Tunnel, etc. It must therefore be peculiarly gratifying to the management and its engineers that the economies resulting from the change were so quickly and positively established.