Discussion on “Some railway conditions governing electrification”

Abstract

Mr. O' Brien. The directorate and chief mechanical engineer of a railway company change infrequently, and the policy is continuous. The problems connected with the generation of electricity are mainly mechanical ; the chief mechanical engineer is usually a man of broad views and wide experience, and in the ordinary operation of his department he has the assistance of experts in each particular branchelectricity, marine engineering, cranes, stationary boiler plant, etc. He is therefore eminently fitted to deal with the problems of a power station. The railway will already possess a staff for dealing with coal analyses and purchase properties of oils, and water, etc., and for testing purposes, and hence a generating station can be operated with an economy unknown among municipalities or in most companies. I do not dispute Mr. Baker's contention that the 50 generating stations in London are wasteful and that it , is a problem to know what to do with them ; on the contrary , I am pleased that he should have adduced this argu-Mr. o Brien ment to prove the wisdom of the policy adopted by the London & NorthWestern and London & SouthWestern Railways. It is of course a matter for regret that there is not a central supply authority for the whole of London ; as soon as such an authority is in being no doubt the railway companies will be in no two minds about purchasing their current. I should like to say further in answer to Mr. Baker that in my opinion in order to get the best results in a very large organization like a railway company it is essential that the whole of the mechanical engineering and transport problems should be grouped under one authority. Many hard things have been said recently about the Great Eastern Railway, but the Company has shown very great wisdom in appointing an engineer as general manager, who will be able to coordinate the various mechanical problems now divided between departments.