Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 52.djvu/762

740 each generator is about six hundred horse power, its compactness is also apparent.

There are any number of other power-transmission plants in this country, a description of which would prove interesting not only on account of their magnitude, or the distance to which the power is conveyed, but also on account of their revealing the vast amount of engineering skill displayed in surmounting difficulties that have been contended with; but the examples described in the foregoing are sufficient to show the enormous strides that are being made in this field, and yet the general public is almost wholly unaware that anything is being done except in an experimental way.

The electric transmission of power is not confined to this country by any means; plants of very large proportions can be found in almost every quarter of the civilized world, and in some places not specially noted for their civilization. In Mexico there are several installations, and no doubt there would be more if it were not for the fact that there is a scarcity of large streams and rivers in that country; therefore, although its mountainous conformation would lead to the conclusion that waterfalls are numerous, as a matter of fact those where the power available is sufficient to warrant its utilization are very few.

The principal installation in Mexico is at Pachuca, one of the most important mining districts in the country. The power plant is located at Regla, which is about twenty-three miles distant. The capacity of the plant is over three thousand horse power.

There are several plants in South American countries, quite a number in Africa, in Australia, in Asiatic countries, and also in Europe. The Jungfrau Mountain Railroad in Switzerland, which has been called the trolley to heaven, will be operated by power derived from the Black and White Lutschine Rivers, in Burglauenen and Lauterbrunnen. This road, which is about finished, ascends to one of the highest peaks of the Alps, one which heretofore has only been accessible to those of sufficiently vigorous constitutions to make the ascent on foot.

The Geneva water power is utilized to operate electric railways, electric lights, and to some extent for the development of power for industrial purposes. The distance of transmission at this place is about twenty miles.

Other installations in Europe of importance that may be mentioned are Rome, Italy—distance, about eighteen miles; amount of power, two thousand horse power, which is being increased to nine thousand; Davos, Switzerland; Schongeisung, Germany; Lauffen to Heilbronn, Germany; Zurich, Switzerland, and many others.

The longest transmission ever undertaken was an experimental