CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9] — Page 376

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Enclosure No 1.

From Mr H. A. Belden

To Messrs Showan Tones & Co,

X

X

X

X

374

Canton, 22nd June, 1901.

Dear Sirs,

Regarding the use of the double trolley system for the Hongkong tramways suggested by the Manager of "The China & Japan Telephone Co Ltd", I would reply as follows:-

While it is true that the double trolley system has been in use in Cincinnati for a number of years, yet notwithstanding the practical example of this system, where its advantages and disadvantages under the conditions of actual operation have been open to the study of anyone investigating the subject, there is not, to the best of my knowledge, a single other case either in America or Europe where it has been adopted, nor is there a single tramway engineer of any prominence who recommends this system under any circumstances.

The only places in the United States where electric railways other than the single trolley, rail return system is used is in New York City and in Washington where the conduit system is used.

A double trolley means much more than the duplication of all overhead material with its doubling of the danger of mechanical breakdowns; it also means largely increased difficulties in the insulation - all of which tends to make the regular operation of the tramway less reliable. A large part of the value of a tramway to the public comes from its continuous operation and anything that is an injury to both the public and the tramway Company.

The complexity of all double trolley lines is not shown so much on the straight portion of the lines as at curves and particularly at crossovers and branch-offs - where the necessity of having wires of opposite signs crossing...

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Enclosure No 1. From Mr H. A. Belden To Messrs Showan Tones & Co, X X X X 374 Canton, 22nd June, 1901. Dear Sirs, Regarding the use of the double trolley system for the Hongkong tramways suggested by the Manager of "The China & Japan Telephone Co Ltd", I would reply as follows:- While it is true that the double trolley system has been in use in Cincinnati for a number of years, yet notwithstanding the practical example of this system, where its advantages and disadvantages under the conditions of actual operation have been open to the study of anyone investigating the subject, there is not, to the best of my knowledge, a single other case either in America or Europe where it has been adopted, nor is there a single tramway engineer of any prominence who recommends this system under any circumstances. The only places in the United States where electric railways other than the single trolley, rail return system is used is in New York City and in Washington where the conduit system is used. A double trolley means much more than the duplication of all overhead material with its doubling of the danger of mechanical breakdowns; it also means largely increased difficulties in the insulation - all of which tends to make the regular operation of the tramway less reliable. A large part of the value of a tramway to the public comes from its continuous operation and anything that is an injury to both the public and the tramway Company. The complexity of all double trolley lines is not shown so much on the straight portion of the lines as at curves and particularly at crossovers and branch-offs - where the necessity of having wires of opposite signs crossing...
Baseline (Original)
Enclosure No 1. From Mr H. A. Belden To Nesars Showan Tones & Jo, x X X X 374 Canton, 22nd June, 1901. Dear Sirs, Regarding the use of the double trolley system for the Hongkong tramways suggested by the Manager of "The Chine & Japan Telephone Co Ltdn 'I would reply as follows:- While it is true that the double trolley system has been in use in Cincinnati.for a number of years yet notwithstanding the .practical example of this system, where its advantages and disadvan- tages under the conditions of actual operation have been open to the study of anyone investidating the subject.there is not to the best of my knowledge a single other :osas.oither.in America or Europe where it has been adopted nor is there a single tramvay engineer .of .any prominance who recommanda this system under any circumstances. The only places in the United States where electric.railways othèr than the single trolley, rail return system is used is in New York dity à in Fashington where the cond mit system is used. Y A double trolley means much more than the duplication of all everhead material with its doubling of the danger of mechan- ioal breakdowne; it also means largely increased difficulties in the insulation- all of which tends to make the regular operation of the tramvay lesa qeliable. A large part of the value of a tramway to the lesous that publio comes from its continuous operation and suything that is an injury to both the public and the tramway Company. The complexity of all double trolley lines is not shown so much on the straight.por- tion of the lines as at curves and particularly at crossovers and branohoffs- where the necessity of having wires of opposite signs Orossing
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Enclosure No 1.

From Mr H. A. Belden

To Nesars Showan Tones & Jo,

x

X

X

X

374

Canton, 22nd June, 1901.

Dear Sirs,

Regarding the use of the double trolley system for the Hongkong tramways suggested by the Manager of "The Chine & Japan

Telephone Co Ltdn 'I would reply as follows:-

While it is true that the double trolley system has been in use in Cincinnati.for a number of years yet notwithstanding the .practical example of this system, where its advantages and disadvan-

tages under the conditions of actual operation have been open to the

study of anyone investidating the subject.there is not to the best

of my knowledge a single other :osas.oither.in America or Europe where it has been adopted nor is there a single tramvay engineer .of

.any prominance who recommanda this system under any circumstances.

The only places in the United States where electric.railways othèr

than the single trolley, rail return system is used is in New York

dity à in Fashington where the cond mit system is used.

Y

A double trolley means much more than the duplication

of all everhead material with its doubling of the danger of mechan-

ioal breakdowne; it also means largely increased difficulties in the

insulation- all of which tends to make the regular operation of the

tramvay lesa qeliable. A large part of the value of a tramway to the

lesous that publio comes from its continuous operation and suything that is an injury to both the public and the tramway Company. The complexity of

all double trolley lines is not shown so much on the straight.por-

tion of the lines as at curves and particularly at crossovers and branohoffs- where the necessity of having wires of opposite signs

Orossing

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