Change in Locomotive Fuel

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A number of experiments have recent been made on the Baltimore and Ohio Rai road by the superintendant for the purpose sting the economy of coke as a fuel in omparison with wood, which has heretofore been used exclusively. The coke made was om the Cumberland bituminous coal, and le result, we understand, has been so satis-actory that it is intended hereafter to dis-ense entirely with the wood. The saving of xpense has been stated to be about 25 per ent. About two years ago the Hudson River ailroad Co. bought a quantity of coke for le purpose of testing its merits comparative-y with wood. We never heard the result, 'he time is not far distant when all our rsil-oads will be compelled to stop using wood or locomotive fuel, and the sooner they set bout preparing lor the change so much the etter. It will be a good thing lor passengers when wood ceases to be used; the spark punishment now inflicted on travellers will then be abolished. As no wood is employed on the English railways, we cannot see how it is that the same fuel used there cannot be used here with equal advantages ; the coke from the Cumberland coal may bring about the desired relief.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 40This article was published with the title “Change in Locomotive Fuel” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 40 (), p. 315
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican06181853-315e

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