Network coupling by means of static electronic frequency changers

DURING the last few years several attempts have been made, especially by some foreign railways, to find ways and means to feed their 11,000-volt 16 2/3-cycle railway trolley system directly from a commercial 50-cycle power source by means of a simple device, or then to have the locomotives equipped with such apparatus which would permit using power at the latter frequency fed directly to the trolley line. In other words, it was felt that many advantages could be gained if the trolley line could be fed, directly, or over a simple converter, from any commercial power network which would be adjacent to the railroad's right of way.