Recent Innovations in Railroad Freight and Passenger Equipment

Abstract

ITH one-third of their mileage tied up in the courts and the credit of the balance drastically impaired, the railroads are carrying on at an accelerated pace activities which have as their objective increased revenues and decreased costs. In this connection considerable attention has been given to technological improvement, including the utilization of newer materials, processes, and designs in the construction of freight and passenger rolling stock. The expense of nonpaying load is such a significant proportion of the total transportation cost that, should the nonrevenue load ratio be made more favorable, it is probable that important improvements could be made in the cost-revenue relationship. On the cost side efforts to render this relationship more favorable have in part assumed the form of attempts to reduce tare weight through the use of lighter-weight equipment, both freight and passenger; on the revenue side, by attempts to stimulate passenger travel with the introduction of high-speed, streamline trains of ultramodern design. Eminently successful results have been attained in numerous cases, but the problem arises as to the extent to which such innovations can economically be carried. In many cases economies are purchased-often dearly-by increased costs in other directions. It will be the purpose of this study to examine the problems involved and to attempt to determine the degree to which these developments are feasible. This will involve a consideration of the means of weight reduction, the new construction characteristics,