It slows up
both freight and passenger traffic on the Hendrickton & Pas Alos
road. That range of hills is too much for it.
"So the Swift Construction Company is going to step in,"
concluded the young inventor eagerly. "I believe we can do it.
I've the nucleus of an idea in my head. I never had a problem put
up to me, Ned and Mr. Damon, that interested me more. So why
shouldn't I go at it? Besides, I have dad to advise me."
"That's right," agreed Ned. "Why shouldn't you? And with such a
contract as you have been offered--"
"Bless my bootsoles!" ejaculated Mr. Damon, getting up and
tramping about the room in his excitement. "I thought the trolley
cars that run between Shopton and Waterfield were about the
fastest things on rails."
"Not much. The trolley car is a narrow and prescribed manner of
using electricity for motive power. The motor runs but one car--
or one and a trailer, at most," said Tom. "As I have pointed out,
the problem is to build a machine that will transmit power enough
to draw the enormous weight of a loaded freight train, and that
over steep grades.
"A motor for each car is a costly matter. That is why trolley
car companies, no matter how many passengers their cars carry,
are so often on the verge of financial disaster. The margin of
profit is too narrow.
"But if you can get a locomotive built that will drag a hundred
cars! Ah! how does that sound?" demanded Tom.
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