AN industry valued at some nineteen billions of dollars, cannot be rt~thlessly tampered with and escape serious economic disturbance, especially when it is closely interwoven with our national prosperity. The story of our railway development is part of the written history of the country. It is, therefore, a matter of grave national concern to properly diagnose the true nature of the ailment affecting our transportation system and prescribe the treatment of greatest promise for its future recovery.
To the great main lines binding East and West, North and South have been added branches reaching into new country and bringing more products to swell the ever-growing traffic of the parent stem or main line. Engines of greater power have tried to cope with the demands of an ever-increasing traffic and have been assisted by such improvements as heavier rails, automatic airbrake, grade revisions, block signals and better terminal facilities. Finally, however, when congestion on some main lines became too great with steam-engine operation, it was necessary to add second, or even a third or fourth pair of rails.
The limitations of the steam engine are not so keenly felt upon branch or feeder lines with the infrequent small tonnage trains incident to this service. The congestion on main lines has, in many cases, however, become most acute, and it is under such conditions that the steam engine plainly imposes its limitations upon the physical and economic showing of a railway property. Appreciating the need of building new lines into new country to some limited extent, the big problem before us is to greatly improve the railway machine we have already created. We want cheaper and quicker transportation over existing tracks, more reliable service, less congestion at terminals and proper provision * Presented at a meeting of the Electrical Section held Thursday, February 24, I92I. 493