И. А. Курбасова Е. И. Силантьева

The Electrification of the Pioneer

Underground Railway in London
(1) In the 1890's the pioneer steam-operated Metropol­itan Line in London began to lose its importance due to the competition of the newly built electric tube railways. So it was a vital need for the Metropolitan to introduce electric haulage.

(2) To show the valuable benefits of the electric rolling stock for this line it was decided to test a m-u train. In the course of the experimental runs the train demonstrat­ed its ability to eliminate air pollution. Besides, it could accelerate rapidly and thus proved more advantageous as regards speeds. The next step to be taken was to choose a power supply system. Most engineers spoke in favour of the low voltage d.c. to be fed to the trains through the conductor rail.

(3) The electrification of the Metropolitan Line complet­ed, multiple-unit trains composed of well-lit saloon cars (вагон-салон) were brought into use. In spite of the costly reconstruction work, electric haulage made it possible for the Metropolitan Line to win back its passengers.

21. Прослушайте вопросы и ответьте на них согласно

текстуА. 1. What is one of the ways to provide further advance of railway transport? 2. What contribution did Jacobi make to the development of electric transport? 3. What major success in the field of electric traction was achieved in 1879? 4. Why may Siemens' electric locomotive be consid­ered practical? 5. What were the first two electrically operated railways? 6. What were the first railways to be electrified according to the GOELRO Plan? 7. What is the Moscow—Lake Baikal Railway famous for? 8. What rail­way routes are most suitable for electric haulage? 9. What are the four principal benefits of electric trains? 10. Why does rapid acceleration make the m-u trains particularly attractive for suburban routes? 11. What makes railway electrification a costly business? 12. What may cause trou­bles on electric lines in winter conditions?

22.Подготовьте сщбшения на следующие темы

1. The first steps in the development of electric tfacliori'. 2. Electric traction; its advantages and drawbacks.;

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