Power was supplied to the cars via a 600 volt cable connected to the locomotive's dynamotor. Usually the runs were performed by locomotives #65 or #66, which would pull a three car train of two passenger cars and a baggage car. ĭuring the electrified years, an average of eight passenger runs between Butte and Anaconda were made daily, with four runs going each direction. The 1913 GE locomotives were marked as numbers 50 through 66, the 1914 units 46 - 49, the 1916 units 42 - 45. These units were geared lower than the other freight units and intended to be used at slow speeds in the smelter and Butte mine yards. More locomotives were soon needed and a second order of four locomotives was made with General Electric in 1914. In contrast the freight locomotives had single headlights and one pantograph each, plus were geared for a standard speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). The two passenger locomotives were outfitted with double pantographs, dual headlights, and were geared for a standard running speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) while pulling three coaches. To replace the aging steam power, an order of seventeen new 80 short tons (73 t) electric locomotives was placed with General Electric, with two being passenger locomotives and the remaining fifteen being freight locomotives. The BA&P sourced its electrical power from Great Falls, Montana 125 mi (201 km) to the northeast, and the power was converted from AC to the 2,400 volt DC at several substations along the railway. The tonnage handled over the lines increased over 50% in three years no difficulty has been found in moving the increase, and in the opinion of the railway managers the main line and two of the principal branches had reached the capacity of single track when electrification came into use." Ryan, principal owner of this road, (says) that "the cost was within the original estimate, the operation has been an unqualified success and the economy at least 50% in excess of the promises of the engineers at the time the work was undertaken. The electric locomotives hauled heavy ore trains and the operating results from every viewpoint far exceeded expectations. The length of this line was 30 miles, having a total of 114 miles of single trackage, and considerable heavy grade. The work was performed by General Electric and the railroad's own staff. While the common voltages used were 600 or 1200 volts DC, BA&P electrification was the highest available at that time, being 2,400 volts DC. As such it was the first major railroad line to electrify, with 75 mi (121 km) out of 114 mi (183 km) powered. The BA&P was an electrification pioneer by converting from steam to electrification between 19. When it first opened, the BA&P used steam locomotives to haul the ore, freight, and passenger trains, however the heavy daily use took its toll on the engines, and by 1910 alternative power sources were being sought. Early years Headframes of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, looking over the town of Butte, MT Butte, Anaconda and Pacific boxcab #47 on display in Butte. While first operated primarily to carry ore from Butte to Anaconda the company was chartered as a common carrier and also carried passengers and general freight. Financed by the Marcus Daly, the interest behind the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, the Butte, Anaconda, and Pacific was incorporated in 1891 and opened for operation just two years later in 1893. In 1890 a dispute between the Montana Union Railway and the Anaconda Company arose over the transportation cost copper ore from the Butte, Montana mines to the Anaconda, Montana smelters. The railway was the main conduit for ore transport between Butte and Anaconda, and was used for filming of portions of the 1985 Golden Globe nominated movie Runaway Train. The railway was again sold in May 2007 to the Patriot Rail Corporation, and the name returned to the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway in July 2007. The BA&P was founded in 1891 and operated as such until sale in 1985, when it was renamed the Rarus Railway ( reporting mark RARW). The Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway ( reporting mark BAP) is a short line railroad in the U.S. For the Bob Dylan album, see Rough and Rowdy Ways.
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