conditions. Let us take for example a train of fifteen coaches on the
Great Northern Railway, running without a stop to Peterborough in one
hour and forty minutes. The power required would be about 500 horses
indicated. To supply this for 100 minutes, even on the most absurdly
favorable hypothesis, no less than 25 tons of Faure batteries would be
required. Adding to these the weight of the dynamo motors, and that
unavoidably added to the coaches, it will be seen that a weight equal to
that of an engine would soon be reached. The only possible saving would
be some 28 to 30 tons of tender. In return for this all the passengers
would have to change coaches at Peterborough, as the train could not be
delayed to replace the expended with fresh batteries. This is out of
the question. The Faure batteries must all be carried on one vehicle or
engine, which could be changed for another, like a locomotive. Even then
no advantage would be gained. As to cost, it is very unlikely that the
stationary engines which must be provided to drive the dynamo machines
for charging the batteries would be more economical than locomotive
engines; and if we allow that the dynamo machine only wasted 10 per
cent. of the power of the engine, the Faure batteries 10 per cent. of
the power of the dynamo machines, and the dynamo motors 10 per cent. of
the power of the batteries--all ridiculously favorable assumptions--yet
the stationary engines would be handicapped with a difference in net
efficiency between themselves and the locomotive--admitting the original
efficiency per pound of coal in both to be the same--of some 27 per
cent., we think we may relegate this scheme to the realms of oblivion.
Another idea is that by putting up turbines and dynamo machines the
steam engine might be superseded by water power. Now it so happens that
if all the water power of England were quadrupled it would not nearly
suffice for our wants. It may be found worth while perhaps to construct
steam engines close to coalpits and send out power from these engines by
wire; but the question will be asked, Which is the cheaper of the two,