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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 2 (May 1, 1939)

Electric Versus Steam Operation

Electric Versus Steam Operation.

In view of the increasing utilisation of electric traction in many lands, it is interesting to note the divergence of views existing on the subject of the possible vulnerability of electric railways in time of war. It has always been understood that one important reason why electric traction has been turned down on the Northern Railway of France was because it was felt steam operation was much less liable to interruption in time of war than electric traction. Looking round, however, we find Germany and Italy going ahead with electrification on a big scale, and this would certainly point to these countries being satisfied with electric traction under all conditions. The secret appears to lie in the fact that modern practice is to inter-link power stations (which, incidentally, being usually situated in mountainous areas present difficult targets for hostile aircraft) so that, should one station be put out of action temporarily, a supply can quickly, be secured from elsewhere. Actually steam locomotives, with their issuing smoke and steam by day, and the glare from the firebox by night, would appear to offer a good target and guide for aircraft. One recalls our own experience on light railways in the Great War, when solely because of this fact, we had to replace steam engines by petrol tractors on the forward lines.

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