It has proved to be such a success that many people declare that the
days of the steam locomotive are numbered, and electricity will soon be
used in its stead.

The plan was tried on the New England Railroad, between Hartford and New
Britain.

It is called the "third-rail system," and consists of a third rail, laid
down in the centre of the tracks, between the ordinary supporting rails.

This third rail looks like a capital A, flattened down. It is laid on
blocks of wood, and through it the electric current passes to the cars.

An arrangement is made by which the current is carried from the rail to
the motor, which is in the truck of the passenger-car.

A great rate of speed can be gained with the third-rail system, ten
miles having been made in thirteen and a half minutes.

It is rumored that the elevated road will most probably adopt the
third-rail system, and if this is done the journey from Harlem to the
Battery may be made in fifteen minutes.

The great drawback to this system is that the current is exposed, and
persons crossing the tracks are liable to get a very severe shock.

The current used will be six hundred volts, and, while the company
insists that this will not kill any one, they are of the opinion that it
would be better to avoid the shock if possible.