ELECTRIFICATION: A STATUS REPORT

This paper was prepared to discuss the present status of railway electrification in North America. It discusses high-voltage commercial frequency electrification and considers the following: Why are North American railroads far behind others in conversion to electrified operation? What has created the rebirth of interest in U.S. railroads toward electrification? What are some disadvantages of electrified operation as compared to diesel-electric? What is mean by modern electrification technology? What railroads are considering electrification? Would utilities be able to supply sufficient power? What are the economics of electrification? Listed are changes in signal facilities to make them compatible with electrification.