The status of railroad electrification

WHEN we electical engineers have discussed railroad transportation we have always done it from the standpoint of proving how desirable it is for the steam railroads to electrify, and when we have invited our steam railroad friends to participate in our discussions, they usually refrain from courtesy or some other reason from telling us absolutely and entirely what they think of us. It has therefore occurred to me that it might be worth while for an electrical man to say a few words about the railroad man´s natural objections to electrification and to give some of the reasons why he is not always willing to fall upon our necks and welcome us as saviours.