Electric Locomotive Development.

European progress in the electric locomotive field is just as striking as in the case of the steam engine. In Germany, especially rapid progress is being made in electric locomotive development, and the latest types of electric locomotive put into service represent the very last word in power and efficiency.

For express passenger train haulage, Germany employs on her electrified lines enormous electric locomotives weighing 110 tons, and capable of attaining speeds up to 70 miles per hour. Freight locomotives, hauling 2,400 ton trains, weigh as much as 138 tons, and attain speeds with full load up to 40 miles per hour. In general, Germany employs the alternating current system of electrification, 15,000 volts, 16 2–3 cycle.

Equally efficient are the motor cars employed in connection with the electrified suburban tracks in regions like Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart. These cars seat 75 passengers, and weigh, when empty, about 61 tons. Two motor cars and two trailer cars normally form a train. In the case of the Berlin electrification, the system adopted is third rail, 800 volts D.C. About 165 route miles of track are operated electrically in this area.