The design of storage-battery locomotives for use in coal mines

This paper deals with the general considerations which affect the design of a battery locomotive for use in mines. The usefulness of such a piece of apparatus in a mine is briefly discussed and the general conditions to be met are described. Detail points in the design are dealt with on broad lines, and the results are given of certain tests designed to compare the coefficient of adhesion obtained with specially prepared wheels and standard wheels on rails prepared to represent conditions met with in practice. The various methods of obtaining flame-proof enclosure of the electrical apparatus are described. Finally a rough idea of the cost of running a battery locomotive is given.