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Electric Power
third rail pickup for the cars of the new subway. Interestingly, the
directors had decided in favor of reciprocating steam engines over tur-
bines for generation, although they used several small turbine sets for
lighting and excitation.
The use of electric power for transit also made possible interurban
trolley lines, and by the early years of the last century, vast networks
of trolley systems were extended to serve many small communities at
lower cost than the steam trains could achieve. Again, higher-voltage
AC generation and distribution were coupled with rotary converters to
supply DC to the trolley wires. Interurban transit lines lasted until the
development of good roads and reliable automobiles. Most were gone
by mid century ...