Car Can't Be Derailed
"There is one question that people often ask me," said Mr. Kearney with s smile.
"It is:
" What would happen if all the passengers got on one side of the car?"
" My answer is simple ----
" Nothing !"
When all the passengers of a fully loaded standard railroad car get on one side , the pressure exerted on the side of the car is six pounds per square foot. A wind pressure of 34 pounds a square foot against the side of a standard car will overturn it. It takes a pretty breeze to exert that pressure, but it has happened. That was the year of the big wind. At a pressure of 200 pounds a square foot it is still safe. As the Kearney system used two rails for each track --- a bearing - rail below and a guide rail above --- the rail cost would be about the same as in ordinary roads. To this must be added the expense of the supports and the bracing of the guide - rails. This supporting construction could also be used for telegraph and telephone wires. So far the road would be no cheaper than a standard electric line built according to present methods. It is in the construction of the right - of - way that the Kearney system would save money. Cuts and gills could be narrower, and steeper grades allowed. This increase in grade would reduce or eliminate tunneling. Bridges and Viaducts would be lowered 30 per cent in cost.
As the grading and preparation of the right - of - way is an item that represents about one - half the cost of railroad construction, it seems certain that the Kearney system would result in great economies.
Comments
Post a Comment