Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

THE BARMEN-ELBERFELD RAILWAY. 127 ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN ELBERFELD AND VOHWINKEL. This view shows the inverted U-shaped supports adopted for the track in streets to give a clear roadway. Current for the motors is picked up from an insulated iron rail conductor by a shoe pressing upon the rail from below. To stop the train the engineer can either reverse the motor or make it act as a generator, or apply the Westinghouse air-brakes, the shoes of which press on the top of the wheels. The current supply for the two lines is entirely separate, so that the chances of a breakdown on both tracks simultaneously are extremely small. Should a train come to a standstill through causes other than failure of current, another train can be sent down the same track to take off the passengers. Should the current give out, the passengers can cross to a train on the other line. Each carriage gives accommodation for fifty passengers. When fully loaded it weighs about 14 tons, or about 600 lbs. per passenger. This is considerably below the usual figure for elevated electric railway cars. The track itself runs about 700 lbs. to the foot. The cost of the whole constructional work— stations and electrical equipment excepted— was about £30,000 per mile over the high- road and £43,000 per mile over the river. The expen- diture on a station varied from £2,000 for small “ halts ” to £42,500 at Vohwinkel, where are a turning-loop, switches, sidings, carriage sheds, and workshops. Electrical equipment has been responsible for £2,500 per mile ; but it should be noted that in future railways built on the Langen