Beatrice Lang
The first electric locomotive was presented by Siemens in Berlin on May 31, 1879. Efforts to propel railroad vehicles using batteries date back to 1835, but the first successful application of electric traction was Siemens' small locomotive in 1879. The first electric underground railway opened in 1890, and the first steam road electrification took place in 1895 in the Howard Street tunnel in Baltimore. Electric locomotives are completely powered by electricity and are often faster, quieter, and more powerful than other types of locomotives, but they are also more expensive to operate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first electric locomotive | 1879 |
| Location of first electric locomotive | Berlin |
| Company that built the first electric locomotive | Siemens |
| Date of first electric locomotive in the US | 1890 |
| Date of first heavy rail electric locomotive in the US | 1893 |
| Company that built the first heavy rail electric locomotive in the US | General Electric |
| Date of first electrified mainline system in the US | 1895 |
| Company that built the first electrified mainline system in the US | Baltimore and Ohio Railroad |
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What You'll Learn
Werner Von Siemens created the first small electric locomotive
The first successful application of electric traction was in 1879 when an electric locomotive ran at an exhibition in Berlin. This was the Siemens electric railway, which is considered one of the most important innovations of the 19th century. However, the technology to make electric locomotives truly viable would not emerge until the turn of the century. In 1900, urban areas were still plagued by the smoke produced by steam locomotives, and in tunnels, this smoke was a life-threatening issue.
The first "steam" road electrification took place in the Howard Street tunnel, beneath downtown Baltimore. This was the Baltimore & Ohio's installation of 1895, which demonstrated that electrification was a practical alternative to steam power for heavy-duty railroading. This launched a 40-year era of expansion for electric locomotives.
The first known use of a "heavy rail" electric locomotive took place in 1893 when General Electric manufactured a small, 30-ton machine featuring two axles. However, the breakthrough moment for electric locomotive technology came earlier when German inventor Werner Von Siemens created the first small electric locomotive. This early version of an electric locomotive was made possible by advances in battery technology, which had previously been unable to generate enough power to move locomotives quickly, over long distances, or for extended periods.
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The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was electrified in 1895
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) was first electrified in 1895, marking a significant milestone in the history of railroad electrification. This project, known as the Baltimore Belt Railroad, addressed a pressing issue with the B&O's 1.4-mile-long Howard Street Tunnel, where smoke from steam locomotives posed a health and safety hazard to nearby residential areas.
The B&O's electrification involved the design, engineering, and construction of powerful electric locomotives by General Electric, capable of navigating the steep northbound upgrade within the tunnel. This engineering feat required the development of innovative electric power generation and distribution systems, setting a new standard for electric locomotives.
The first demonstration of the B&O's electrified main line took place on June 27, 1895, at the Howard Street Tunnel, with commercial operation commencing just four days later on July 1. This swift transition demonstrated the practicality and success of electric propulsion, influencing similar projects worldwide.
The B&O's electrification project kick-started a wave of interest in railroad electrification, with major terminal electrification projects planned in cities like New York and Paris within five years. Despite this initial enthusiasm, electric locomotives never gained widespread adoption in the United States, with diesel-electric technology ultimately prevailing due to its reliability and cost-effectiveness.
The B&O continued to update its electric fleet, even as it struggled financially, eventually shutting down its electrification in the early 1950s. Today, the Baltimore Belt Railroad remains an important route, even as the original electric locomotives have given way to more modern technology.
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Efforts to use batteries for rail vehicles date to 1835
Efforts to use batteries for rail vehicles date back to 1835, marking the infancy of railroading. However, early battery technology could not generate sufficient power to move locomotives quickly, far, or for extended periods.
In 1879, a German inventor, Werner Von Siemens, created a small electric locomotive, marking the first successful application of electric traction. This locomotive was presented at an exhibition in Berlin on May 31, 1879, and is considered one of the most important innovations of the 19th century.
In 1893, General Electric manufactured a small, 30-ton electric locomotive with two axles, marking the first known use of a "heavy rail" electric locomotive. A year later, they built another locomotive utilizing a pair of trucks and nose-suspended traction motors.
In 1895, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) electrified a stretch of track, including a long tunnel, demonstrating the practicality of electrification for heavy-duty railroading. This event launched a 40-year era of expansion in electrification, offering advantages such as reduced smoke, increased speed, smoother operation, and enhanced power compared to steam locomotives.
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The first electric underground railway opened in 1890
The world's first electric underground railway opened in London in 1890. Known as the City and South London Railway, it was the first deep-level tube line and is now part of the Northern line. The railway initially used electric locomotives to haul carriages, but these were replaced by multiple-unit trains in 1902–1903 due to vibrations caused by the heavy locomotives. The City and South London Railway was the first of its kind, with other cities following London's lead in the coming decades.
The history of the London Underground, known colloquially as ""the Tube", began with the Metropolitan Railway, which opened in 1863 using steam locomotives. The Metropolitan Railway was the world's first underground passenger railway. Over time, the Metropolitan Railway expanded to include the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines. The Metropolitan Railway and the District Railway completed the Circle line in 1884.
In 1896, Budapest opened a 2.5-mile (4-km) electric subway, becoming the first subway on the European continent. This was followed by the opening of the first 6.25 miles (10 km) of the Métro in Paris in 1900. In 1900, London's second electric underground line, the Central London Railway, opened, becoming known as the ""Twopenny tube". This line initially used electric locomotives to haul carriages, but later switched to multiple-unit trains.
The development of electric locomotives built upon earlier efforts to propel railroad vehicles using batteries, dating back to 1835. The first successful application of electric traction was in 1879 when an electric locomotive was exhibited in Berlin. The first commercial applications of electric traction were for suburban and metropolitan railroads, with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the United States opening the first electrified main line in 1895. Despite these advancements, electric locomotives never gained widespread popularity in the United States.
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General Electric built a 30-ton electric locomotive in 1893
Efforts to propel railroad vehicles using batteries date back to 1835, but the first successful application of electric traction was in 1879 when an electric locomotive ran at an exhibition in Berlin. The first electric underground railway was operational in 1890, and in 1893, General Electric manufactured a small, 30-ton electric locomotive featuring two axles. This was the first known use of a "heavy rail" electric locomotive.
General Electric, or GE, has a long history of innovation in locomotive manufacturing. The company was responsible for developing a new form of urban transport, proposing an elevated railroad for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This exposition celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World, but it also showcaseed the transformative power of electricity in cities and towns. GE's proposal demonstrated the potential of electricity in rapid transportation, marking the beginning of a new era in city travel.
The 30-ton electric locomotive built by General Electric in 1893 was a significant milestone. It featured two gearless motors and could reach speeds of 30 mph. This early locomotive set the stage for GE's future success in the industry.
A year later, in 1894, General Electric built another electric locomotive, this time utilising a pair of trucks and nose-suspended traction motors. This continued the company's pioneering work in the field of electrification, which was gaining traction in the late 19th century. GE's direct current technology was being challenged by George Westinghouse's alternating-current (AC) system, which offered advantages in terms of power transmission and motor performance. Despite this competition, GE continued to play a crucial role in the electrification of railroads, providing components for the B&O's 600-volt, direct current (DC) system, including steeple-cab locomotives capable of producing 360 horsepower.
General Electric has since become the world's largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives, with its products used by numerous railroads worldwide to haul freight and passengers. The company has a presence in various countries, from Australia to India, showcasing its expertise in tackling diverse transportation challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric locomotive was presented by Siemens in Berlin, Germany, on May 31, 1879.
The first commercial applications of electric traction were for suburban or metropolitan railroads in the late 19th century. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) electrified a stretch of track in 1895, marking the first use of electric traction for heavy-duty railroading.
Electric locomotives were sought as a solution to the smoke produced by steam locomotives, which was a nuisance in urban areas and a life-threatening hazard in tunnels. They also offered improvements in speed, power, and smoothness of operation.
Electric locomotives became widespread in the early 20th century, particularly in Europe and North America. By 1926, electrification had reached Australia, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, and South Africa. However, the expansion of electrification varied by region, with higher concentrations in certain areas, such as between Boston and Washington, D.C., in the northeastern United States.
