[LB052513], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Henry Villard, October 6th, 1891
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB052513
Transcription
Oct. 6, 1891. Henry Villard, Esq., New York City. Dear Sir:- The following are estimates for the cost of conductors on an electrical railroad 96 miles long: LENGTH 96 miles, in 6 sections of 16 miles each, making 2 terminals 5 intermediate power stations. CAPACITY. 2 freight trains of 400 tons each on section at a time – speed 18 miles per hour, half per cent continuous grade; this is the worst condition. Cost of copper on poles, but not including cost of poles or their erection------------------------------$3,100 per mile Cost of central rail on insulators laid complete 2,950 Total $6,000 per mile. Cost of stations extra. Power required on each section under severest conditions, 1,000 horse power. Total power, 6,000 horse power. With one train 400 tons on sections the cost would be: $2,900 for central rail. 1,500 for copper $4,500 per mile. Of course you can split the 400 tons into [illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] [illegible text] costs. Yours very truly, [Thomas A. Edison?]