General Electric Company

“ Substations 12 out of the 32 substations supplying the various traction systems are owned and operated by the Commonwealth Edison Co. and only 60-cycle generating equipment is installed when adding to their present capacity.
The several substations contain synchronous converter units ranging in size from 1000 to 4000 kw. each. The preferred size for new 60-cycle substations is the 3000-kw. unit of which there are now five in service. The following table shows the ownership and gross capacity of the substation equipment for all of the Chicago lines. ”

“ The rush hour trains on the main line include as high as eight cars, which is the limit set by the length of the station platforms. The signal system is entirely automatic and during rush hours the headway varies from 2 to 31⁄2 minutes on the main line. The maximum grades encountered are 2 to 3 percent with a high percentage of heavy curvature. By taking advantage of the transfer arrangements at terminals, rides of 14 miles can be obtained for a single fare. ”

“ The population served by the Chicago Elevated Lines is estimated at more than 1,000,000 people; the total number of passengers handled annually is about 190,000,000. Trains of from six to eight cars are operated during rush hour service on a two-minute headway with a maximum of 72 trains per hour on a track of the loop. ”

“ No express service is operated, all trains making every stop.
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Elevated and Subway Lines
23
Train on Market Street Elevated, Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
Power Supply The Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company’s principal power station is at Delaware Avenue. Steam turbine generating equipment totalling 58,000 kw. is in service in three stations and is designed for 13,200 volts 3-phase 25 cycles at which it is transmitted to the substations. One or two direct-current stations are still available for supplying 600 volts direct to the trolley. ”

“ This plant is at Jersey City conveniently located for the reception of coal for fuel and use of Hudson River water for condensing purposes. Through an arrangement agreed to some time ago power is now being purchased from the New York Edison Company, who have furthermore taken over the power station. ”