Our
reputation for fair dealing as well as for inventive powers is
linked up with this contract.
"I want to show the Jandel people--to say nothing of the bigger
firms--that the Swifts are to be reckoned with when it comes to
electric invention. Other roads will be electrifying their lines
as fast as it is proved that the electric-driven locomotive has
the bulge on the steam-driven.
"In the case of the Hendrickton & Pas Alos there are very steep
grades to overcome. Supposedly an electric motor-drive should
achieve the same speed on a hill as on the level. But there is
the weight of the train to be counted on.
"The H. & P. A. has a two per cent. grade in more than one
place. Mr. Bartholomew confessed as much to me last night. The
electric-driven locomotive of the powerful freight type, which
the Jandel people built for Mr. Bartholomew, can make about
sixteen miles an hour on those grades, although they can hit it
up to thirty miles an hour on level track.
"His passenger locomotives turn off a mile a minute and more,
on the level road; but they can not climb those steep grades at a
much livelier pace than the freight engines. That is why he is
talking about two-mile-a-minute locomotives. He must get a mighty
speedy locomotive, for both freight and passenger service, to
keep ahead of Montagne Lewis's rival road, the Hendrickton &
Western."
"You don't suppose it can be done, do you?" demanded Ned.
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