The “Digest” for February contained an interesting review of developments that have taken place recently in various countries in oil and gas electric locomotives and cars.

The “Digest” mentioned that the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway which had twice previously increased the length of its electric zone, completed the electrification of its entrance into Seattle by a 10-mile double track line from Black River Junction.

The Mexican Railway Company completed its second addition to the original line and is now operating electrically between Esperanza and Paso del Macho, a distance of 62 miles, a substation being erected with two 1,500-k.w. motor-generator sets to supplement the two 3,000-k.w. units originally installed in the Maltrata sub-station.

The Paulista Railway in Brazil made a third extension of its electric zone bringing the total up to 177 miles completing the electrification of its broad gauge lines between Jundiahy and Rincao. Reports by the officials of this system continue to testify to the savings resulting from electrification.

Equipment for the Anglo-Chilean Consolidated Nitrate Corporation in Chile, including automatic sub-stations, overhead distribution, and locomotives went into service in September. In anticipation of a gradual increase in traffic requirements with electric operation, two additional locomotives are now under construction.

In the United States perhaps the most interesting work on railroad electrification is that being done by the Great Northern Railway in the state of Washington. Electric operation between the Cascade Tunnel and Skykomish is to be extended through the new tunnel to Wenatchee before the end of 1928. Two motor-generator type locomotives, which are the largest single-phase units so far built, began operation in August, 1927, and two more units of the same type are now under construction together with equipment for a second frequency changer substation located at Wenatchee.